While some dream of working abroad, analysts surprise with the results of a new study on the lives of foreign specialists
As reported by Deutsche Welle, in 2017, 12,500 expats participated in the study. As in previous years, in addition to the main ranking, analysts compared countries by five factors important for choosing a country when moving: quality of life, ease of settling in, work, family life, and financial situation. And for the first time, the focus was on life outside the office. The ranking, which included 65 countries, turned out to be quite unexpected.
The biggest surprise came from the top three. They completely changed their composition. The palm of leadership in 2017 went to Bahrain. The kingdom, located on 33 islands in the western part of the Persian Gulf, jumped from 19th place to first in a year. Expats like the working conditions here. And this country, more than any other in the world, gives foreign specialists a feeling of home.
In second place in the overall ranking is Costa Rica. Opportunities for professional growth open up mainly in the capital San Jose, but expats value above all the quality of life, friendliness and openness of the local population, and the opportunities that exist here for family members. Seeing the local sandy beaches, however, one can be sure that foreigners are satisfied with life in this country.
Mexico rounds out the top three. It has always been in the top five, but for the first time it took leading positions in three key indicators at once. Expats adapt easily in this country, they are satisfied with their earnings. And, importantly, they can ensure a high standard of living while spending relatively little.
In fourth place is Taiwan. The debutant of 2016 attracts foreign specialists primarily by the quality of life. True, if a year ago this island in the Pacific Ocean unexpectedly found itself among the leaders of the Personal Finance Index, then in 2017, according to the "financial well-being" factor, Taiwan took only 14th place among 65 countries in the ranking.
The top five is rounded out by Portugal. It leads in quality of life: first place in one of the five key indicators – the Quality of Life Index. But career opportunities here are quite modest – 53rd place in the Working Abroad Index. However, expats like the local climate, both literally and figuratively: it is easy for them to make new friends and adapt.
If the focus was on life outside the office, then New Zealand simply could not fail to make it into the top 10, taking sixth place. Just looking at the landscapes of the island state can already give a feeling of complete satisfaction. And if you consider that work is also in order here, then what is there to be dissatisfied with? True, it seems you won't get rich here: in the Personal Finance Index ranking, the country took only 49th place.
In seventh place in the top 10 ranking is again an island state, this time in the Mediterranean Sea. Malta received the most points in the work sphere: fifth place in the Working Abroad Index. Expats quickly adapt to local conditions, and they manage to combine personal life with work.
Colombia is among the winners of 2017. Compared to 2016, it improved its position in the overall ranking, rising 12 lines to eighth place. Expats value the culture of hospitality here the most.
Singapore's entry into the penultimate place of the top ten was ensured by two factors: the Quality of Life Index and the Family Life Index. In terms of living standards, this state in Southeast Asia ranks fourth, and in terms of comfort for an expat and his family, seventh. Singapore has a golden mean in the other three factors: working conditions – 23rd place, culture of hospitality – 24th, finances – 35th place.
The last place in the top ten, but not in the overall ranking – which includes 65 countries – is occupied by Spain. Expats have a great time here away from work, with or without family, enjoying a high standard of living. But things with work here, apparently, are not very good. Spain ranks as high as 52nd in the Working Abroad Index ranking!
As for other countries, the Czech Republic took 11th place in the ranking, losing one position over the year. The republic achieved such a high result thanks to first place in the category "Working Conditions and Career Opportunities" and third place in the category "Family Life." Expats especially praised the low costs associated with raising a child, as well as quality and affordable education. At the same time, in the category "Ease of Settling In," the Czech Republic showed a disastrous result – 52nd place out of 65 possible.
Germany took 23rd place in the overall ranking. Two-thirds of respondents value stability in this country. Expats are generally satisfied with work and earnings, which they cannot say about the friendliness and hospitality of Germans. Germany ranks 56th in the Ease of Settling In ranking. Expats find it difficult to make friends and are far from feeling at home here.
Russia occupies the 50th line in the overall ranking of 65 countries. In the Personal Finance Index ranking, it is in 22nd place, dropping two lines over the year. And what about hospitality? It is not so difficult for expats to find friends here, despite the fact that the Russian language is difficult for them. But they rate the friendliness of Russians towards foreigners modestly: 49th place.
Ukraine surprised InterNations analysts back in 2016: in the Personal Finance Index ranking, it took second place. A year passed, and it dropped 25 lines in the overall ranking, taking 59th place, and in finances – only 39th. It was the sharp deterioration in the material well-being of expats that became the main reason for Ukraine's slide to the tail of the ranking. It also became more difficult for expats to make friends.