IIp17-20_HSBC.qxd 23/3/09 16:58 Page 6
20 | International Expat Survey
However, Brazilian, Irish and Australian expats are the wealthiest in the Standard of Accommodation
world Almost three quarters (74%) of expats living in Singapore said that the
quality of their accommodation had improved since moving away from
their country of origin, the highest amount recorded in the study. This
was followed by expats living in the United States (61%) and Belgium
(59%).
Expats are not only earning more but saving more as well, particularly in
countries such as Singapore, the UAE and India. In India, for example,
low living costs enable 82% of expats to save more than they were able to
in their country of origin. Overall, 58% of expats invest and save more,
and more than half (52%) of expats also spend more on food, 49% more
on shopping and 45% more on socialising in their new country of resi- The UK was identified as the most expensive expat location for accom-
dence. modation, with over three quarters (85%) of expats living in the UK
revealing that their living costs had increased. Only one-fifth (19%) of
Luxurious Lifestyle respondents living in the UK also stated that the quality of their accom-
Expat Existence investigates whether expats’ lifestyles are more luxurious modation had increased.
than the lives they have left behind. India was the cheapest country, with only one-fifth (21%) of expats liv-
Countries were rated on a number of categories, for example, access to ing in the country claiming that their costs of
private healthcare, owning more than one property, ability to employ accommodation had increased. The Netherlands (68%) and Singapore
staff (such as cleaners). (64%) were also identified as expensive locations.
Across the 11 categories of perceived luxuries, on average expats
reported an increase in eight of these factors, with employing staff Further information
ranked as the highest increase. Please visit www.offshore.hsbc.com/expatsurvey for further information.
The UAE was the most luxurious destination, with expats experiencing
increases in 10 of the 11 categories, followed by Spain with increases in
nine of the 11 categories. Singapore, however, rated higher than Spain
overall with a greater percentage change registered over the luxurious
category.
The UK was ranked the least luxurious with decreases recorded in
nine of the 11 luxuries.
Across all categories, males reported equal or higher experiences of
luxuries than females.
March 2009 Investment International www.investmentinternational.com
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36