The Federal Center for Competitiveness and Statistics revealed growth in both worker compensation (total wages and salaries of employees and others), national savings, and final consumer spending over an 11-year period.
**Worker Compensation**
The center explained that the total "worker compensation" in the UAE in 2020 amounted to 493 billion and 93 million dirhams, compared to 284 billion and 257 million dirhams in 2010, representing an increase of 208 billion and 836 million dirhams, and a growth rate of 73.5% over 11 years. This positions the UAE as one of the highest countries in the region in terms of wages, salaries, and benefits offered to employees. According to international definitions used by local and global statistical centers, "worker compensation" includes: salaries, wages, allowances, bonuses, travel tickets, health insurance, end-of-service benefits, fees, cash commissions, pensions, and social assistance.
Wages for workers in wholesale and retail trade and vehicle repair were the highest, totaling 64 billion and 720 million dirhams, followed by wages in construction at 54 billion and 568 million dirhams, and wages in manufacturing industries amounting to 44 billion and 827 million dirhams. The non-financial enterprises sector accounted for the largest share of wages and salaries, totaling about 376 billion dirhams last year, while wages and salaries in public administration and mandatory social security exceeded 93 billion dirhams, and total salaries in financial activities and insurance activities surpassed 24 billion dirhams.
**National Savings**
Moreover, the report on annual national account estimates for 2020 published by the center recently indicated that the national savings value reached 399 billion and 294 million dirhams despite the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to 389 billion and 82 million dirhams in 2010, representing an increase of 10 billion and 212 million dirhams and a growth rate of 2.6%. According to the report, the per capita share of national savings in 2020 exceeded 43 thousand dirhams.
**Consumer Spending**
The report indicated that final consumer spending in 2020 exceeded 701 billion and 25 million dirhams, compared to 556 billion and 298 million dirhams in 2010, with an increase of 144 billion and 727 million dirhams, reflecting a growth rate of 26%. Total "private consumer spending" in 2020 was over 515 billion and 567 million dirhams, while "government consumer spending" reached 185 billion and 458 million dirhams. Total private consumer spending in 2010 was about 449 billion and 543 million dirhams, compared to 106 billion and 755 million dirhams for total government spending. According to the report, the per capita share of "final consumer spending" in the country was 75 thousand and 500 dirhams, with the per capita share of "private consumer spending" being 55 thousand and 500 dirhams, and the per capita share of "government consumer spending" being 20 thousand dirhams.
