Internet cafes, which are booming in major towns, charge SR25 per hour or SR30 for a private booth. Hourly rates for household helpers range from SR10-SR25, with Filipinos commanding higher rates. The range of school choices is broadening, as new laws allow Saudi nationals to set up international private schools. The Saudi American International School and the British School-Saudi Arabian International School follow the national curriculum. Some expatriates in the Dammam areas send their children to private schools in Bahrain, which has wider educational choices.
Public hospitals offer free services to all but suffer from low efficiency.
The best hospitals belong to state institutions such as the national guards and the interior ministry. There are a number of sophisticated specialised clinics in Riyadh. Private clinics are booming, raising the quality of health services. The Saudi-German Hospital tries to reach out to expatriates through various marketing channels. Some employers provide generous health insurance schemes, while others offer their own facilities.