We’re always happy to welcome guest posts from other expats or websites serving expats. Today Expat Hub digs into some of the data from the HSBC Expat Navigator survey. This identifies the top places to live and work as an expat….
The top places to live and work as an expat
Choosing where to emigrate to depends on a wide range of factors. Depending on your personal situation one country will better for you than others. Where is the best place to find work? Where is the best place to raise a family? We’ve done the research so you don’t have to.
Best country to raise children
For a number of years Belgium has regularly topped the charts for the best place to raise a family. According to surveys carried out by leading international bank HSBC Bank’s Expat Navigator. 81% expats living in the country claimed that the standard of education on offer far surpassed those found in the UK. Belgium based expats benefit from some of the cheapest childcare costs in the world with a large number reporting that they paid a lot less than they did back home. Expat family’s living in Belgium reported that their children’s standard of education is better than that found in the UK.The worst country for expats according to the survey is surprisingly the UK. It ranks as one of the most expensive countries for childcare and raising a family.
Best country to find work
Providing plenty of opportunities for work and a high standard of living is the island nation of Singapore. This modern centre of trade and finance is a big draw to young professionals from all over the world. The city of Singapore may be one of the most expensive cities to live in the world in terms of housing but the wages earnt in the plethora of available jobs cancel out such costs. It’s no coincidence that 64% of all expats arriving in the country are young professionals from the UK who struggled to find work in the UK.The average expat that arrives in Singapore for work typically sees an improvement in their financial status and a noticeable increase in the amount of disposable income.
Best country for healthcare
Regularly topping the healthcare charts is France. The French healthcare system is often regarded as the best in the world and won the World Health Organisation accolade for providing the best overall healthcare, beating nations such as the United States and the UK. As a citizen of a European country (which includes all 25 EU members, Iceland, Norway and Lichtenstein.) you are automatically entitled to free healthcare in France. European citizens travelling the continent should apply for a European Health Insurance card, these cards simplify the procedures required if you need or receive medical assistance during your trip.
Best country for public transport
Switzerland is home to the World’s best national transportation system. Like many European nations the Swiss take public transport very seriously and provide clean, safe and reliable forms of transportation system. The Swiss are renowned for their systems efficiency and the attention to detail for every aspect of the transportation system makes it the best in the World.
Best country for safety
New Zealand was a close contender for this title but unfortunately due to the dangers posed by natural hazards such as earthquakes, and to a lesser extent volcanoes, the island of the Kiwi was piped to the post. Instead, Denmark claims the top spot. Although famous for its past association with the blood thirsty Vikings, Denmark today is the world’s safest country. A great respect for human rights, high levels of gender equality, and low levels of homicide and violent crime make Denmark a very safe and exciting destination.
