A new survey has revealed that Saudi companies are increasing benefits for their employees, particularly housing, in a bid to retain their workers.

Housing benefits in the Kingdom have risen on average 15 percent and now make up 30 percent of workers’ basic salaries, according to a survey carried out in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) by Aon Hewitt, a multinational human resources firm.

The increase in the Kingdom, in cash terms, has been between $19,000 and $52,000. In Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, housing makes up between 35 and 40 percent of workers’ basic salaries, the survey found.

Education benefits in the Kingdom are below the average in GCC countries. These benefits are mostly offered to executives and management-level workers, with 30 percent of companies offering them to specialists.

The benefits survey is the biggest of its kind in the GCC and involved more than 90 companies from various economic sectors.

Robert Richter, director of compensation at Aon Hewitt Middle East, said benefits in Saudi Arabia are less than those in other GCC countries, especially Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, which indicates a low cost of living.

Qatar ranks first in the average housing stipend with $44,000, and Bahrain ranked last with $28,500.

Qatar also had the highest education benefits for children at $12,000 and Saudi Arabia the least at $7,000.

The report looked at transport, furniture, moving, end-of-service payouts, life insurance, long-term disability, special medical benefits, loans, mobile phones and annual vacations.