HCM City: 9/10 state employees cannot live on official incomes

The group surveyed around 300 state employees between the ages of 20 and 35 in HCM City. Around three-fourths of them earn less than VND3 million ($170) per month.

Up to 12% have earnings of less than VND1 million and up to 70% don’t have other sources of income.

According to researchers, these 300 state employees are working at 14 state agencies in HCM City.

Notably, most of them (95%) have mobile phones and motorbikes; however, many were only able to get these devices with the assistance of their families (41%).

Some 58% of them saved 10-30% of their income. Nearly one-third didn’t have savings because their incomes are too low, they are alone, or they are living dependently on their family.

Over one-fifth of surveyed people have their own houses while over half live with their families. Nearly one-fifth have to lease houses.

Regarding future plans, around one-half said they would invest in housing, one-third invest in studies and one-fifth wanted to buy cars.

Young state employees are considered to have stable jobs and a position in society. However, a majority can’t live on their incomes. Around one-tenth of them said their lives are temporarily stable.

Researchers said that they hoped that through the survey, competent agencies would make suitable adjustments in salary policies to help young state employees keep their minds on their work. 

Thu Huong