By Mohammed Al-Subhi

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — The monthly average salary of a Saudi citizen has increased from SR9,884 in the first quarter of 2017 to SR9,911in the second quarter, according to a report by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT).

The report said the average salary has increased by about SR27 in the second quarter of the year.

GASTAT said the monthly average salary of the non-Saudi has increased by SR265 to reach SR3,876 in the second quarter from SR3,611 in the first quarter.

The authority said the average salary of a Saudi man is about SR10,057 while the Saudi woman receives SR9,200.

It said the average monthly salaries of all the workers in the Kingdom have reached SR6,195 and added that the Saudis working in the government sector receive monthly salaries of SR10,589 while the non-Saudis are paid SR11,138.

According to the authority, the average salary of a Saudi citizen working for the private sector is SR7,717 while non-Saudis are paid SR3,855.

GASTAT said the highest pay for the Saudis were for those in the age group between 50-54 who are paid SR13,867 against SR6,057 for the expatriates who are above 65 years of age.

It said the lowest pay was for non-Saudis in the age group of 20-24 which was SR2,177.

Osama Filal, an economic expert, said the average salaries of both the Saudis and non-Saudis have increased during the second quarter of the year.

He said the quarter has witnessed a remarkable improvement which is an evidence that the economy is recovering and that it has overcome the phase of the low oil prices.

Filal said the restoration of the allowances and fringe benefits for the Saudis in public sector has played a pivotal role in the rise of the average salaries.