In the eighth edition of HSBC’s Expat Survey Explorer survey, expats in Singapore gave their newly adopted home top marks for quality of life, attractive salaries and opportunities for career development. Expats rank Canada as the most welcoming destination worldwide regardless of a person’s age, faith, race, gender or sexuality (62% of expats surveyed in Canada feel this way, well above the global average of 36%). The world’s second- largest economy is regarded as an ideal place to improve a career quickly, but the quality of health care is worrying, the report says.
Advertisement
Four out of five expat families said life in Switzerland is safer for their children, and 74 percent reported a better overall quality of life for their offspring than in their home country. The research was conducted online by YouGov in March-May 2015.
Despite scoring highly in the criteria of quality of life, safety and health, the country fared badly when it came to making friends, scraping into 38th place, one from bottom.
Expats say Singapore is the place to be.
India has been ranked at the 17th spot based on the overall rankings. 79 per cent are confident about its economy compared to a global average of just 48 per cent. And for expats with partners, 49% say the journey overseas is bringing them closer together in their relationship, compared to only 18% who disagree. In addition, three-quarters (75%) feel they can integrate with the local people and culture, compared to 61% of expats globally. Learning new skills, enjoying a different culture or growing closer to loved ones through a shared adventure.
And foreigners working in the Middle East praised their newly adopted home for offering the most generous expat packages and work contracts, many of which include annual trips home and airfare and accommodation allowances.
Exercise is one reason for this improvement, as 55% of expats have become more physically active since living in Singapore.
2) Expat entrepreneurs blossom in the world’s financial hubs.
Economy: Top Five Countries1.
The bank’s survey, of 22,000 people across the world, reveals insights about living as an expatriate as it relates to family life, the economic benefits and the sheer experience of it. Singapore remains the most popular place for expats to live and work, says a survey. Settling in is relatively quick, with 35% who felt at home instantly or within six months.
Globally, over three in five (61%) expats admit they have not experienced an immediate increase in their pay packet since their move.
Advertisement
Malte Zeeck, founder of the global expat guide, InterNations, says, “The income situation and quality of life in a country like Singapore is usually quite good, but there are other components that also influence your expat life”.
