Living standards for expat workers in the UAE are the highest in the region, with 61 percent earning more than $1,361 per month, according to the latest research from international mobile top-up platform, Ding.
Almost three quarters of respondents reported they were employed full-time, and in addition to using their earnings to fund basic bills and utilities, their interest in leisure activities is also on the rise.
The results also showed 58 percent of people were using their devices to make purchases twice a month.
Groceries were most likely to be purchased followed by event tickets, at 38 percent and 35 percent respectively. Apple Pay was found to be the most used e-pay solution.
The UAE is the third largest remittance sender in the world with $33 billion sent in 2018 alone.
According to the research, the UAE’s international expat workers still prioritise the needs of their family back home, with 90 percent ensuring they budget to send top-ups and remittances on a monthly basis, despite a reported slowing in international remittances by the UAE Central Bank.
The survey, which included the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman, also found that workers are responsible for paying 75 percent of the communications needs of family back home – phone and data.
Meanwhile, the research also revealed WhatsApp has overtaken Facebook as the most popular mobile application.
While staying connected with family and friends is a top priority, 78 percent of those surveyed feel they use their phones too much with 81 percent reporting they browse the internet daily for entertainment purposes.
When asked what application the ex-pats used most on a daily basis, in the UAE 73 percent use WhatsApp the most frequently followed by Facebook (65 percent) and Instagram (52 percent).
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