Singapore has earned the top spot in the eighth annual Expat Explorer country league table, with expatriates praising the city-state’s opportunities for career development, appealing salaries, and an excellent quality of life.
More than a quarter (28%) of expats in Singapore earn more than $200,000 per year compared to 13% of expats globally. Fifty-nine per cent say the city-state is a place for career development, and 79% are confident about the Singapore economy. Overall, 67% of expats say Singapore offers a better quality of life than their home country and 65% of parents say their children’s health and wellbeing has improved since moving there.
The Expat Explorer survey is commissioned by HSBC Expat and conducted by YouGov. Now in its eighth year, it is the largest and one of the longest running surveys of expats, with 21,950 respondents sharing their views on different aspects of life abroad including careers, financial wellbeing, quality of life and ease of settling for partners and children. A total of 39 countries qualified for the league tables in this edition.
“Living abroad allows people to realize a whole range of ambitions,” said Dean Blackburn, Head of HSBC Expat. “Learning new skills, enjoying a different culture or growing closer to loved ones through a shared adventure: these are just some of the rewards expats tell us they have enjoyed through their time in another country.
“As global mobility continues to increase, expat life is more attainable than ever before,” Blackburn continued. “Expats need services that keep up with their changing needs, as managing money overseas remains a challenge. Indeed, 74% tell us their finances have become more complex in some way since moving, which highlights the value of seeking help with this aspect of life.”
Expat Explorer Overall Country League Table 2015
1. Singapore
2. New Zealand
3. Sweden
4. Bahrain
5. Germany
6. Canada
7. Australia
8. Taiwan
9. United Arab Emirates
10. Switzerland
Expats today look beyond just financial rewards
A better quality of life and the desire to take on a new challenge are the main reasons for making a move abroad. In both cases, 37% of expats say these are the reasons why they moved, compared to just over a quarter (26%) who say they did so to improve their job prospects. In fact, 61% of expats haven’t benefited from an immediate salary increase since moving.
Expats are dedicated to experiencing as much as possible during their time abroad and only 11% say they haven’t immersed themselves into their new culture. Destinations where expats are the most likely to have moved to improve their quality of life are New Zealand (71%), Spain (61%) and Portugal (56%).
Expat entrepreneurs blossom in the world’s financial hubs
The vast majority of expats living in the world’s financial hubs of Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong or London agree they are good places to start a new business (87%, 86%, 85% and 85% respectively). This is much higher than the global average of 56%[2].
A high level of confidence in the local economy is another reason why these economic hubs suit the entrepreneurial spirit: 78% of expats in Singapore and 60% in Hong Kong feel confident about the local economy.
The opportunity to broaden their skillset is a further upside for expat entrepreneurs who have settled in one of these cities: 64% of expats in London have acquired new skills since moving, compared to 43% globally.
Most generous expat packages are found in the Middle East
Besides high salaries and strong economic prospects, expats living in the Middle East can also enjoy unrivalled benefits packages. Health and medical allowances (70% of expats in the region benefit from these), annual trips home and airfare allowances (67%), and accommodation allowances (60%) are all far more likely to be offered as part of expat contracts in the region than in any other part of the world.
For example, in Oman, 80% of expats receive airfare allowances for trips home, compared to just 33% globally. In Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, 75% and 55% of expats respectively receive an accommodation allowance (compared with 33% globally).
Economics: Switzerland attracts career-driven expats
Switzerland comes first in the rankings as the best expat destination for career success and financial wellbeing. Seventy-seven per cent of expats feel confident about the local economy, and 53% say it is a good place to progress careers. These compare to only 48% and 41% of expats globally. A majority (63%) also thinks their work is more fulfilling in Switzerland than it was at home. On average, expats in Switzerland are more likely to enjoy more disposable income (65%), earn higher salaries (63%) and be able to save more (60%) as a result of moving to the country.
Economy: Top Five Countries
1. Switzerland
2. Singapore
3. Germany
4. United Arab Emirates
5. Qatar
Experience: New Zealand is the hotspot for a fulfilling expat experience
New Zealand leads the way for a satisfying expat experience. Almost eight in 10 (77%) expats there find their quality of life is better than at home and well over half (63%) say making friends has been easy. Settling in is relatively quick, with 35% who felt at home instantly or within six months. The country’s great outdoors is a particular draw and 57% of expats have become more physically active since moving there.
Experience: Top Five Countries
1. New Zealand
2. Spain
3. Singapore
4. Australia
5. Taiwan
Family: Sweden is the most family friendly country
A new country in the league tables, Sweden takes the top spot as the best destination for expat family life, whether that is with or without children. Expat parents in Sweden praise the childcare available – with 79% finding it better than in their home country – the ease of arranging children’s education (67%), and its affordability (77%). Overall, 79% of parents say their children’s quality of life is better since moving. Sweden also has a lot to offer to single expats looking to start a family: 39% say they have found a long term partner there.
Family: Top Five Countries
1. Sweden
2. New Zealand
3. Singapore
4. Spain
5. Germany
All the rankings are available to compare online in the Expat Explorer interactive tool.
