People in this South China provincial capital are generally
satisfied with their opportunities to make money, but not quite so
happy with the local healthcare service or social security system,
a survey has said.
Conducted by the Guangzhou public opinion research center, the
survey, whose results were published this week, polled 1,006 people
about their views on the city's social and economic
development.
The respondents were of different ages, occupations and
backgrounds, and hailed from the downtown districts of Yuexiu,
Liwan, Haizhu, Tianhe, Baiyun and Huangpu.
The results will be used to help the municipal authorities with
future policy decisions.
More than 75 percent of those surveyed said they believed they
now have more opportunities to make money than in the past. A
similar number, 74 percent, said they considered their current
incomes acceptable.
In contrast, less than 18 percent said they were happy with the
public healthcare service, while a fraction over 28 percent said
they were satisfied with the city's social security system.
Liang Xingzhi, an analyst with the research center, said the
local government should take serious note of the high level of
dissatisfaction with social services.
However, he pointed out that a much higher percentage of
low-wage-earners and jobless people said they were satisfied with
the health service, which could be due to the favorable policies
the government has introduced to help poorer members of the
community.
(China Daily November 22, 2007)