COUNTRY BY COUNTRY BREAKDOWN

Despite generally minor salary increases across the region, the Gulf countries showed different rates of growth

0.26% BAHRAIN

Bahrain saw the second smallest salary increase over the last year with an overall average pay rise of 0.26 per cent over 2016 across our three groups from $9,821 to $9,847 a month. Asian salaries in the country were up 0.16 per cent on average from $7,940 to $7,953. Arab salaries were up 0.39 per cent from $10,421 to $10,462 and Western salaries were up 0.22 per cent from $11,102 to $11,126.

0.31% KUWAIT

Kuwait was the third weakest market in terms of pay rises with an average increase of 0.31 per cent seen across our three groups from $10,794 to $10,828. Average Asian salaries in the country were up 0.34 per cent from $9,117 to $9,148, Arab salaries were up 0.38 per cent from $11,274 to $11,317 and Western salaries were up 0.24 per cent from $11,991 to $12,020

0.52% OMAN

Oman was the third strongest market in terms of salary increases over the last 12 months, with the overall average monthly salary rising 0.52 per cent from $9,772 to $9,823. Asians in the country saw an increase of 0.41 per cent from $8,590 to $8,625, Arabs saw an increase of 0.54 per cent from $10,000 to $10,054 and Western salaries were up 0.61 per cent from $10,726 to $10,791.

0.18% SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Arabia showed the weakest salary growth overall with an increase of 0.18 per cent on average across our three groups from $12,986 to $13,010 a month. Average Asian salaries in the kingdom increased 0.26 per cent from $10,825 to $10,853, Arab salaries were up 0.22 per cent from $13,936 to $13,966 and Western salaries were up a meagre 0.11 per cent from $14,197 to $14,212.

0.66% UAE

The UAE was the second strongest market in terms of salary increases across our three groups with the average monthly pay packet rising 0.66 per cent from $11,276 to $11,350. Average Asian salaries were up 0.75 per cent from $9,363 to $9,433, Arab salaries increased 0.71 per cent from $11,936 to $12,021 and Western salaries were up 0.24 per cent from $11,991 to $12,020.

0.98% QATAR

Qatar was one of the most divided markets in terms of salary increases in this year’s survey. While the overall average monthly salary was up 0.98 per cent from $12,086 to $12,204, this was largely a reflection of a significant increase for Asian expats while Arab and Western expat average salaries decreased. Asian salaries in Qatar were up 7.3 per cent from $9,548 to $10,245, although this was still 2.33 per cent below the $10,489 seen in 2015. Arab salaries were down 2.33 per cent from $13,156 to $12,850 and Western salaries were down 0.28 per cent from $13,555 to $13,517.