HSBC
A map of the most attractive countries for expats. Size corresponds to ranking.
Tired of your old job? Looking for a new environment? There are a lot of reasons to leave your home country behind in search of greener pastures, but picking where to go can be an overwhelming decision.
There are a lot of conflicting factors: job opportunities, salary considerations, quality of life, safety, and childcare are just a few. HSBC has made the decision a whole lot easier with its latest annual Expat Explorer survey.
The survey ranks the best places to go based on experience, economics, and raising children abroad, with subcategories for each group. We’ve picked out the top 20 places overall. (But you can also personalize the rankings based on what factors matter to you.)
20. Belgium
Belgium ranked highly for raising children abroad, healthcare, and learning a new language.
The country was below average for overall experience and economics categories, but ranked especially low for sports and healthy diet — unsurprising when you consider the beer, chocolate, and waffles.
Belgium is also relatively free of violent crime, though muggings and pick-pocketing are common in the country’s larger cities.
19. Malaysia
Adventurous expats are the most likely to head to Malaysia. 49% told HSBC that the need for “a new challenge” motivated their move.
Those that do make the move seem to love it, with expats in Malaysia scoring highly for learning the local language, traveling more, and exploring Malaysia’s fascinating culture.
Malaysia tends to be very affordable, ranking highly for accommodations and local shops and markets.
The country is only middle of the pack however in economic measures and raising children abroad. Education is decent, but expensive, and the quality of childcare is not good.
18. Japan
Japan’s stagnant economy has it ranking low in economic measures, but it makes up for it with its exceptional healthcare, travel options, and local culture. It doesn’t hurt that the food is healthy and delicious, ranking first in both diet and local food.
In addition, Japan ranks highly in raising children abroad, thanks to its high quality, affordable education.
One expat described the people in Japan as such:
“The people here are so friendly and go out their way to help you, even if they speak limited English. I feel welcome here.”
17. Russia
Russia seems like a fun place to live, with high scores for entertainment, work-life balance, social life (1st!), making friends (1st!), and more. It ranks 30th for healthy diet, however, perhaps due to the popularity of doughy foods and meats high in cholesterol.
In terms of economics, expats report middle of the road income, but high disposable income.The quality of childcare and education is good, but expensive.
Russia is notorious for problems with public services, such as water and electricity. In addition, for American expats, Russia might prove uncomfortable as many in the government and media frequently demonize the US.
16. Vietnam
While Vietnam ranks highly in economics, where Vietnam really shines is disposable income, ranking second. There are lower prices for everything, from transport to entertainment, and great public transportation makes domestic travel easy.
Food is a major plus in the country as 87% of expats say they enjoy the food compared to 72% globally. The country ranks 6th in diet and 3rd in local food. Vietnam ranks 4th in social life and 1st in making friends.
Vietnam is not without its problems however, The country ranks near the bottom for healthcare and quality of life for children.
15. United Arab Emirates
The UAE continues to have lots of high-paying jobs for expats, who are typically young. The wealthy country provides good working environments, great accommodations, and options for raising children. And then there are the world-famous hotels and shopping malls.
Still, the culture is vastly different from the West. Islamic traditions and ideals make the country very conservative with strict rules of public conduct. The language is difficult for many expats, who have trouble making local friends and integrating into the community — though apparently things are getting better.
14. Oman
Oman may only have modest oil and gas reserves compared to its neighbors, but the country has made good use of them, leading to a high standard of living. The economy is strong, especially for expats and the country ranks 4th for satisfaction with the local economy.
The country ranks poorly for raising children abroad, ranking middle of the pack or near the bottom for all measures in that category.
13. Qatar
Qatar ranked high for economics but scored low in some quality of life subcategories such as quality of accommodation, entertainment, local shops and markets, and making local friends.
While Qatar is the world’s richest country per capita, it is a country in transition. Many residents enjoy amenities like housemaids and five-star airlines, but infrastructure is lacking and there’s a big gap between the rich and poor.
Qatar also ranked 21st in HSBC’s report for raising children abroad. Indeed, The Telegraph points out that many expats educate their children at home.
12. Australia
“Australia offers expats such a great quality of life that they don’t want to leave,” observes HSBC.
The big country down under scores high in assimilation, food, entertainment, weather, and other experiential aspects. These more than make up for the decent economic scores and a few other downsides, like bad public transportation and the quality of childcare.
11. Canada
Canada is a great destination for expats that want to be integrated into their new culture. Expats report that it is easy to make local friends and 76% note the ease of integrating into the local community.
Housing, quality of life, and the environment all rank highly.
Expats are fairly sour about work-life balances and social lives, but they can rest easy knowing their kids are doing well, with access to education and health care and quality of both high.
“Canada is a culturally diverse country. Be open, accepting, and tolerant of others but retain your individuality,” one expat tells HSBC.
10. Hong Kong
Despite the recent protests, Hong Kong is fairly independent from mainland China and maintains its own currency and set of laws. Expats tend to have high salaries and large amounts of disposable income. In addition, there’s a thriving social scene for expats and many expats travel around the region.
Expats may have to get used to less space than they had at home, however, as it is one of the most expensive and densely populated cities in the world. Apparently, expats work very hard here, with a very low score for work-life balance.
9. India
The most populous democracy in the world is a rising economic superpower, drawing many expats to seek new business opportunities and career options in the country.
What makes India so attractive however is how cheap it is to live well. There is cheaper childcare, healthcare, clothing, groceries, and household goods. India ranks 6th in raising children abroad thanks to its high quality of childcare and education.
The country is no slouch on the social scene either, ranking 5th in social life, 7th in making local friends, and 9th for entertainment.
“India is fun, exciting and varied – and that can sometimes mean challenging too,” an expat told HSBC.
8. Taiwan
HSBC sums it up succinctly: “A thriving healthcare system, affordable lifestyle and lively local culture make Taiwan a fantastic option for expats.”
Taiwan stands out for how well expats integrate into local life and how much they enjoy the local culture, including celebrations such as Lunar New Year and the Ghost Festival. Food is a big benefit too. 85% of expats like the local food and the country is famous for its night markets with numerous local specialties.
Expats were most unhappy with the country’s work-life balance, accommodations, and childcare.
7. Thailand
Thailand is undoubtedly a beautiful place to live and it shows in the rankings. Thailand ranks highly for its overall experience, weather, and accommodations.
Expats report having a high amount of disposable income, which comes in handy with tons of opportunity to spend it. Local food ranks highly and the country has no shortage of world class shopping centers or local markets. Travel in the area is also affordable and accessible, with 79% of expats saying it is simple to travel locally.
“Take time to learn the culture, enjoy the beaches in Phuket, and visit the surrounding islands,” an expat recommends.
6. New Zealand
New Zealand has a relatively low crime rate, according to the U.S. State Department, and it ranks first on HSBC’s report for better quality of life for children, named as the best place for bringing up confident and well-rounded kids.
New Zealand’s government seems eager to recruit expats, with a snazzy website for people thinking about moving to New Zealand.
It’s not all good, though, as New Zealand ranked low for expat disposable income, bringing its ranking down in the economics section.
5. Bahrain
Unlike other countries in the Persian Gulf, Bahrain does not rely upon oil. The country is instead heavily invested in the banking and tourism sectors, which makes it a great destination for expats looking for to integrate into the culture.
“The locals respect and accept expats in a very friendly way,” an expat told HSBC.
Bahrain has a 2nd place ranking in experience and a respectable 11th in economics. Most expats report that they make more in Bahrain than they would at home, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to more disposable income, due to high accommodation and grocery costs.
4. Germany
Germany is the 3rd best place in the world for expats to raise kids. The country also benefits from a stronger economy than most of the world, with 87% of expats expressing satisfaction with the local economy compared to a global average of 62%.
It is also considered an extremely safe place to live with a very stable political system and low crime. 80% say Germany is safer than their home country.
Expats in Germany struggle, however, to deal with the high cost of living and complain about the social life.
3. China
While there certainly are downsides to living in this communist country — such as bad weather, and mediocre healthcare — the positive factors are overwhelming.
China’s booming economy ranks first in the world for expat economics. As one expat notes, there are “good employment opportunities with less competition.”
Expat social life ranks third, with a friendly local culture and huge opportunities for sport.. There are tons of great places to explore in the country, not to mention the easily accessible Asian Pacific region. Expats have time to have fun too, with a fairly high score for work-life balance, and 49% of expats say this aspect is getting better.
2. Singapore
“For expats looking for an improved quality of life and greater economic opportunities, Singapore is the place to go.” observes HSBC.
Singapore ranked third in economic measures and experience. The country is especially good for raising children thanks to great childcare and education — even if it is expensive. Notably, British education minister Michael Gove has suggested Britain adopt a similar system to Singapore’s.
But to make it in Singapore you really do have to be career-driven, with the country scoring low for work-life balance and 53% of expats saying they worry about job security.
1. Switzerland
Yup, life in Switzerland is pretty good. Take out the Alps, the skiing, the food, and the chocolate and you still have a country that ranks first in economics.
A quarter of expats earn more than $200,000, more than twice the global average. Of course, high salaries are necessary because everything is more expensive, including groceries, healthcare, accommodation, accommodation, and going out.
A huge reason for Switzerland’s high ranking is due to its gorgeous scenery, with plenty to do in both summer and winter. In addition, travel is very accessible. The country’s central European location puts it a short train ride from hot destinations like France, Germany, and Italy.
Rachel Southern, an expat blogger, sums it up:
“There is plenty to do in Switzerland: mountains for winter sports and lakes for summer sports. The healthcare is amazing, as is the public transport.”
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