The menace of beggary is increasing in Saudi Arabia. Both expatriates as well as Saudi nationals are involved in the trade. A recent survey conducted by Dr Abdullah Al Yousif of Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud University of Riyadh indicates 69 per cent of child beggars in Riyadh are Saudis - 56.6 per cent of child beggars are girls.

Saudi Arabia, otherwise a rich country by most standards with per capita income of $8,000 plus, is faced with the menace, which many say is an indication of growing poverty in the Kingdom.

High unemployment rates among nationals coupled with an increasing population has brought a segment of the Saudi population face to face with poverty. Even Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz himself admitted that poverty is growing in the Kingdom and that poverty was a reality here.

Beggary is just a manifestation of the explosive situation. At intersections, one would often be approached by beggars. At times, the entire family could be seen engaged in the "profession" of beggary.

Many say it has become a profession now. Even in Haram-e-Makkah one would find people asking for alms. There would be women with children outside most of the mosques after the Friday prayers.

The study by Dr Al Yousif also revealed the social conditions prevailing among the beggars and their families. He found that 88 per cent of the mothers of begging children are illiterate, while nine per cent did not go beyond elementary education.

Sixty per cent of the children's fathers are married to another woman, while 50 per cent of fathers are unemployed, 62 per cent are illiterate and 34 per cent did not go further than elementary school, the survey found.

The study also showed 90 per cent of families with children who beg live in public housing. None of the fathers cared about their children's education.

Dr Al Yousif in the study said the children's age ranged between six and eight years. The majority of the beggars are Saudis, a majority among them girls who beg with their mothers.

The researcher warned that young beggars were at risk of turning to crime if their plight and that of their families were not addressed.