Over 2,000 Saudis caught begging in 2013

More than 2,000 Saudis were arrested for begging in 2013 while nearly 18,000 expatriates were caught for committing the same offence.

Official data showed the number of Saudis caught begging last year was below half the 4,957 local beggars arrested 15 years ago.

“This shows that government efforts to stem begging by Saudis have paid off,” the Arabic language daily Aleqtisadiah said.

The paper, citing figures by the social affairs ministry, said the number of foreign beggars was also far below the 22,650 beggars caught 13 years ago.

Nearly nine million expatriates, mainly Asians and Arabs, live in Saudi Arabia, the world’s dominant oil exporter and the largest Arab economy. Saudis were estimated at around 21 million at the end of 29013.

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