HSBC has just released its 2015 annual Expat Explorer Survey, which rates the top 39 countries in the world in terms of expatriate satisfaction and livability. It’s definitely worth looking at.
Interestingly, InterNations, a global network of 1.8 million members who live and work abroad, recently released a similar study and the results differ significantly. The HSBC study seemed to value compensation first and foremost and overall quality of life second. InterNations’ approached their survey in reverse order and it’s interesting to see where the differences lie. Singapore, with its high expat salaries, good schools and exceptional personal safety ranked first in the HSBC study, but only fourth in InterNations’. Ecuador and Mexico, with their friendly people, low cost of living and high quality of life ranked first and second on the InterNations’ survey, but didn’t fare nearly as well on the HSBC survey. Ecuador didn’t even make the top 39 on the HSBC survey and Mexico came in a none-to-impressive 19th.The HSBC survey polled nearly 22,000 expats living in 39 nations, while the InterNations’ study took in data from 14,000 expats in 195 nations. Moving between both surveys a few conclusions can be drawn — expat life in Singapore, New Zealand, Canada and Australia is generally good, but all you folks headed to Brazil be weary, the country ranks low on both, coming in last on HSBC’s list of 39 and 57 on InterNations’s.
I’d be interested to hear what our expat community has to say of the two surveys. Do you agree with where your adopted country ranks? Please share your thoughts below!
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