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)