HSBC Bank International - Iberglobal Expat Explorer Survey 2010 Report two: Expat Experience. About...

HSBC Bank InternationalThe Expat Explorer Survey 2010

Report two: Expat Experience

About the Expat Explorer SurveyCommissioned by HSBC Bank International, Expat Explorer is the world’s largest

global survey of expats. Now in its third year, the survey continues to deliver insights

into expat life around the globe. Participation rates for the survey have continued to

increase year-on-year and in 2010 the survey has more respondents than ever, with

4,127 expats answering questions relating to their finances, quality of life and even

what it’s like to raise children abroad. The survey continues to explore how expat life

differs from country to country, continent to continent.

2010 – even bigger than 2009:

e Nearly 1,000 more expats sharing their experiences in this year’s survey

e Expats from over 100 countries

e The addition of new countries in the Expat Explorer league tables,

including Bermuda and the Philippines

PAGE 2 I EXPAT EXPLORER SURVEY 2010

Expat ExperienceExpat Experience is the second of three reports to be produced from the Expat

Explorer research. The report focuses on expats experience of setting up in a new

country of residence and integrating into local society as well as their quality of life

in comparison to where they previously lived.

A league table has been compiled using a comprehensive set of sub-criteria

(29 in total) to reveal which locations expats voted as the places with the best

life experience.

One of the major criteria was ‘quality of life’ for which expats rated accommodation,

food/diet, entertainment, healthcare, work life balance, social life, commute to work

and opportunities for sports and travel. In addition, they also rated the relative ease

in which they were able to do the following in their new country of residence:

e Organise schools for their children

e Set up finances; healthcare; utilities

e Find accommodation

e Learn the local language

e Adapt to local food; weather; work culture

e Make friends

e Travel around locally

e Adjust to the new culture/lifestyle (in general)


Lastly, they were asked how well they integrate into local society. This was judged

on whether they agreed with the following for their new country of residence:

e I enjoy having local food rather than having food from my home country all

the time

e I am happy to experience local culture

e I try to learn / use the local language

e It is easy for me to make local friends

e I am integrating well in the local community

e I feel welcome at work

e I like shopping for local produce in the local shops / markets

Contents


e Overall League Table 5

e Expat findings 6

Career prospects and quality of life don’t go hand in hand for expats 6

Emotive worries top the list of expat concerns 7

UK top for entertainment but makes a poor lifestyle location for expats 8

European expats find it hardest to make friends 9

Expats gravitate to fellow expats 10

Personal development is more important than financial gain for most expats 10

BRICs and the Middle East are the most difficult expat locations to set up in 11

Retirees head for a better quality of life 12

Expats keen to continue travelling 13

e League tables by criteria 15

e Methodology 16

About Expat Explorer 16

About Expat Experience 16

e Country reports 17

United States 17

United Kingdom 19

Hong Kong 21

Singapore 23

United Arab Emirates 25

Australia 27

Canada 29

France 31

Spain 33

Germany 35

China 37

e Further information

Contact 39

I EXPAT EXPLORER SURVEY 2010

Overall Experience Overall Setting up Overall Integration Overall Quality of Life

score rank score rank score rank score rank

Thailand 0.62 1 0.65 3 0.73 4 0.58 1

Canada 0.59 2 0.66 2 0.74 3 0.54 4

Bahrain 0.59 3 0.61 8 0.65 15 0.57 2

Spain 0.59 4 0.60 10 0.81 1 0.53 6

South Africa 0.58 5 0.66 1 0.67 12 0.54 3

France 0.58 6 0.60 11 0.79 2 0.52 7

Bermuda 0.57 7 0.60 9 0.67 11 0.53 5

Australia 0.55 8 0.64 4 0.70 7 0.49 9

Malaysia 0.54 9 0.62 5 0.65 13 0.49 9

Switzerland 0.53 10 0.49 17 0.65 13 0.50 8

Germany 0.52 11 0.52 15 0.72 6 0.47 12

Singapore 0.52 12 0.61 7 0.62 16 0.47 14

Hong Kong 0.52 13 0.62 6 0.61 18 0.47 15

Belgium 0.52 14 0.53 13 0.68 10 0.47 13

Philippines 0.51 15 0.52 14 0.60 20 0.49 11

United States 0.49 16 0.58 12 0.69 8 0.42 18

United Arab Emirates 0.48 17 0.49 18 0.51 24 0.46 16

Netherlands 0.48 18 0.45 21 0.61 19 0.45 17

Mexico 0.47 19 0.52 16 0.72 5 0.39 21

United Kingdom 0.44 20 0.49 19 0.69 9 0.37 23

China 0.44 21 0.45 20 0.62 17 0.38 22

Qatar 0.43 22 0.41 24 0.49 25 0.42 19

Saudi Arabia 0.42 23 0.43 22 0.51 23 0.40 20

Russian Federation 0.40 24 0.41 23 0.59 21 0.35 24

India 0.35 25 0.39 25 0.56 22 0.29 25

Overall league table


Expat findingsCareer prospects and quality of life don’t go hand in hand for expats

Moving abroad is an opportunity many people undertake to find a better way of life

as well as an opportunity to boost their earning potential by taking on a new career

challenge. But the findings show that the two benefits rarely go hand in hand. This

year, the majority of expats (57%) claimed that increased career opportunities and

increased financial gain were their key reasons for becoming an expat. However, their

choice to move to a country that offers great benefits financially doesn’t generally

provide the same benefits in terms of expected quality of life in their new destination.

Saudi Arabia (85%), Qatar (83%) and Russia (76%) are the most popular countries for

those citing financial gain and increased career progression as one of the key motivations

to become an expat. However, these countries typically score very low on the quality of life

rankings (Saudi Arabia 20th, Qatar 19th and Russia 24th out of 25 countries).

In contrast, expats moving to countries that score well on the quality of life league

table such as South Africa (3rd), Spain (6th) and France (7th) are much less appealing

as destinations to those looking for increased career progression and financial gain.

Less than one in five (18%) expats moving to Spain did so for potential financial gain,

alongside 26% in France and 40% in South Africa.

There are exceptions to this rule. Expats in Bahrain and Bermuda both scored

particularly well for quality of life, scoring 2nd and 5th respectively on the quality of

life league table. These destinations are also popular amongst expats looking to boost

their career prospects and increase their earning potential with both countries scoring

in the top quartile in the Expat Explorer Economics league table in 2010.


Expat findings (continued)

Emotive worries top the list of expat concerns

Moving abroad can understandably be daunting for any potential expats and this year’s

report reveals that emotive worries cause much greater concern than practical issues.

The most common concern for expats ahead of moving to their new country is

re-establishing a social life (41%), feeling lonely and missing friends and family (34%).

The same worries are also much more prominent for female expats. Nearly half of

female expats surveyed (48%) shared concerns about re-establishing their social

life in their new country, compared to only 37% of men and 44% of female expats

shared concerns about missing their friends and family, compared to less than one

third (29%) of men.

Worries about re-establishing a social life caused less of a concern for those heading to

the Middle East (Bahrain 28%, Saudi Arabia 27% and Qatar 33% compared to a 41%

average), although this is unsurprising given how well countries in this region score on

the social life rankings; Bahrain 1st, United Arab Emirates 10th and Qatar 12th.

Missing friends and family is a large concern for expats based in Australia (49%) and

Canada (46%) and can probably be accounted for by the distance these expats are

moving away from home. As the majority of expats based in Australia and Canada were

originally from the UK (70% in Australia and 62% in Canada), time difference and long

journeys to see loved ones understandably cause concern for these expats.

While language barriers caused concern for just under one third (30%) of expats overall, this

figure was greatly increased for those heading to Europe. Expats heading to Germany were

particularly worried about language barriers, which was a concern for 59%, as well as 58%

in Switzerland, 57% in France, 55% in the Netherlands, 50% in Spain and 46% in Belgium.

Country of residence % Mentioning career/money prospects as the key reason for becoming an expat Quality of life Rank

Saudi Arabia 85% 20th

Qatar 83% 19th

Russian Federation 76% 24th

United Arab Emirates 74% 16th

Australia 42% 9th

South Africa 40% 3rd

France 26% 7th

Spain 18% 6th

Re-establishing a social life

48%

Male Female

37%

Feeling lonely and missing friends and family

44%

29%

Top concerns amongst expats



UK top for entertainment but makes a poor lifestyle location for expats

The UK makes for a poor lifestyle location for many expats, ranking 20th in the

overall experience league table. Although many expats find the UK an easy country

in which to integrate, (scoring 9th out of 25), many find the overall quality of life in

the UK to be less than desirable.

One of the benefits in relocating to the UK is the great entertainment, which was

ranked top overall. However, even with these excellent entertainment rankings,

nearly half (49%) of expats based in the UK think their social life has become worse

since relocating. In addition, the UK scores the worst of all countries on the quality of

accommodation and commute to work as well as getting used to the local weather.

A positive factor for expats based in the UK is the local language. UK-based expats

agreed that they found it easy to adapt to the local language and communicate when

they arrived, which is unsurprising given that the English language is so widely spoken.

The UK is an unfavourable location for those looking for increased quality of life and

this is not helped by the relatively poor economic outlook for expats based here.

High living costs and the reduced career opportunities created by recent economic

turbulence has affected expats based in the UK with 67% agreeing that their

economic situation has become worse over the past year according to our 2010

Expat Economics report. This will undoubtedly have had an effect on the quality

of life expats are able to enjoy in the host country:17%

17%

Re-establishing a social life 41%

Feeling lonely and missing friends and family 34%

Career prospects 32%

Language barriers 30%

Relocation process 30%

Healthcare (quality and access) 29%

Adapting to culture 25%

Standard of living 21%

Dealing with bureaucracy / corruption 19%

Raising my children

Safety and crime

Managing finances 17%

The weather 13%

Difficulty to get used to local weather

37%

Overall Sample (100+ countries) UK

21%

I have a worse commute to work than in my home country

46%

20%

My accommodation is of a higher quality/ nicer than in my home country

59%

30%

Top concerns amongst expats



European expats find it hardest to make friends

Making friends is a key component in helping expats to deal with the challenges of

moving to a new country and to settle into their new home. However, Europe is the

hardest region to make friends according to this year’s report, with European countries

dominating the bottom five places in the ease of making friends league table.

The Netherlands proved to be the hardest of all with only 36% of expats based here

finding it easy to make friends when relocating, alongside 40% in Germany, 42%

in UK and Switzerland and 44% in Belgium. This could be largely attributed to the

language barriers expats heading to these countries face. Spain and France do fare

better, placed 9th and 12th respectively, while Bermuda (1st) and Bahrain (2nd) hold

the top spots.

Country % find easy to make local friends Rank

Bermuda 80% 1

Bahrain 75% 2

Thailand 70% 3

South Africa 67% 4

Hong Kong 66% 5

Malaysia 65% 6

Philippines 62% 7

Russian Federation 62% 7

Spain 61% 9

Qatar 61% 9

Mexico 58% 11

France 57% 12

Saudi Arabia 56% 13

Singapore 55% 14

United Arab Emirates 55% 14

India 55% 14

Australia 52% 17

United States 48% 18

China 48% 18

Canada 45% 20

Belgium 44% 21

Switzerland 42% 22

United Kingdom 42% 22

Germany 40% 24

Netherlands 36% 25

In terms of top spots to find love, Thailand for the second year running proves to be

the most romantic destination, with 69% of single expats having found a partner since

relocating, followed closely by Spain (68%).



Personal development is more important than financial gain for most expats

While there are many benefits to moving abroad, the most commonly cited benefits

relate to personal development rather than financial gain. 81% of expats believe

broadening their horizons and gaining life experience is the most important benefit

of becoming an expat. This is even more important for those in Russia (97%), the

Netherlands and Belgium (both 92%) where expats feel they have gained valuable life

experience since relocating.

A better quality of life was cited by two-thirds (66%) of expats as the key benefit to

relocating, especially in countries such as Australia, France, Spain and Canada where

improved quality of life is a key feature.

In comparison, career development (60%) and financial wealth (55%), while still

important benefits for expats, were largely cited as being less crucial than life experience

opportunities. Career progression was particularly important for expats based in the UK

where 91% of expats cited career progression as one of the key benefits of moving to

the country.

Expats gravitate to fellow expats

Expats tend to spend more time with expat friends, rather than making new local

friends in their host country. Nearly three in five expats (58%) agreed that they’re

more likely to go out with expat friends rather than local friends. But this figure

increases dramatically for some countries. Expats in Qatar (85%) and the UAE (84%)

are most likely to only integrate with fellow expats, followed by Bahrain (81%), Hong

Kong (79%) and Saudi Arabia (73%).

Expats in Canada are most likely to integrate within local society and make friends

in their host country. Nearly half (45%) of Canada-based expats go out with local

friends as much as fellow expats. Expats in the USA (37%) and Australia (36%) are

also more likely to go out with local friends than fellow expats.

Agree Disagree

Overall Sample (100+

countries)

58%

85% 84% 81% 79%73%

24%34% 39%

Qatar United Arab Emirates

Bahrain Hong Kong Saudi Arabia Canada United States

Australia

22%

7% 6%16%

5%11%

45%37% 36%

I tend to go out with expat friends more then local friends



BRICs and the Middle East are the most difficult expat locations to set up in

A smooth relocation process is crucial for expats, helping create a positive first

impression of their new country. Taking into account a range of factors such as the

ease of setting up their finances, healthcare, accommodation and utilities, South

Africa proved to be the easiest country to do this (1st) followed by Canada (2nd).

The only area South Africa-based expats found difficult to set up was their finances,

where nearly a third (31%) admitted having problems when first relocating.

Overall Setting up

Country Score Rank

South Africa 0.66 1

Canada 0.66 2

Thailand 0.65 3

Australia 0.64 4

Malaysia 0.62 5

Hong Kong 0.62 6

Singapore 0.61 7

Bahrain 0.61 8

Bermuda 0.60 9

Spain 0.60 10

France 0.60 11

United States 0.58 12

Belgium 0.53 13

Philippines 0.52 14

Germany 0.52 15

Mexico 0.52 16

Switzerland 0.49 17

United Arab Emirates 0.49 18

United Kingdom 0.49 19

China 0.45 20

Netherlands 0.45 21

Saudi Arabia 0.43 22

Russian Federation 0.41 23

Qatar 0.41 24

India 0.39 25

The most difficult regions were BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) countries and

the Middle East. India was the most difficult country for expats to set up in overall

(25th) with adjustment to the new culture and lifestyle something expats here found

particularly challenging. Russia (23rd) and China (20th) also dominated the bottom

quartile, with expats having particular trouble when it came to organising their healthcare

and travelling around locally.

Top benefits of becoming an expat

23%

20%

Personal development – life experience, broaden my horizon 81%

Better quality of life 66%

Career development 60%

Financial wealth 55%

Making new friends / networking 39%

The weather 32%

Tax efficiency 29%

Less crime 27%

Cost of living 26%

Better environment for my children

Healthcare (quality and access)

Finding love or a life partner 17%

Escaping political / government intrusion in home country 13%



The Middle East also proved to be a difficult location for expats to set up in, with Qatar

(24th), Saudi Arabia (22nd) and the United Arab Emirates (18th) all scoring fairly low.

Adapting to the new language and travelling around locally were particular problems for

expats in this region, while Bahrain was the only Middle Eastern country to fare well on

the ‘set up’ score, ranking 8th overall.

Retirees head for a better quality of life

Countries that score well on the quality of life rankings are very popular with those

wishing to retire abroad. A high proportion of expats based in Spain (38%), France

(33%), South Africa (24%), Thailand (24%) and Canada (17%) are retirees, with many

having moved specifically for this reason. In Spain, one in four (25%) expats moved

there to retire, alongside 21% in France and Thailand.

Overall Quality of life

Country Score Rank

Thailand 0.58 1

Bahrain 0.57 2

South Africa 0.54 3

Canada 0.54 4

Bermuda 0.53 5

Spain 0.53 6

France 0.52 7

Switzerland 0.50 8

Australia 0.49 9

Malaysia 0.49 9

Philippines 0.49 11

Germany 0.47 12

Belgium 0.47 13

Singapore 0.47 14

Hong Kong 0.47 15

United Arab Emirates 0.46 16

Netherlands 0.45 17

United States 0.42 18

Qatar 0.42 19

Saudi Arabia 0.40 20

Mexico 0.39 21

China 0.38 22

United Kingdom 0.37 23

Russian Federation 0.35 24

India 0.29 25

While scoring well on quality of life overall, these countries scored particularly well on

food, local diet and healthcare, which could explain why many expats decide these

countries offer the ideal location to spend their retirement years.



Expats keen to continue travelling

Expats seem to be spending less time abroad. This year only 35% of expats questioned

said they had been living in their host country for more than five years, compared to

58% of those asked in 2009. However, this isn’t necessarily an indication that expats are

returning home. Instead, almost three-quarters (71%) of those surveyed are planning

another expat posting after their current one. Just under half (43%) are planning another

posting to a different location, while 8% would like to experience another country with

the aim of returning to the country they are currently living in. Only one fifth (20%)

said they would plan to return to their home country eventually.

Nearly one fifth (16%) of expats are planning to stay in their current country for the long

haul, especially those in Thailand (47%) and Canada (42%), which seem to make the

most popular destinations for ‘expat lifers’. Expats based in these countries are also

the most likely to have stayed for five years or more already (Thailand 56%, Canada

47%). Given how well these countries score on the overall experience league table, the

results highlight that while expats might initially be drawn to certain countries for career

progression and earning potential, those that provide a good quality of life are more likely

to encourage long term settlement among expats.

l Yes – I would like to go to another country

l Yes – but I would like to come back here eventually

l Yes – but I would like to return to my home country eventually

l No – I will stay here for a long time

l No – I will return to my home country after this one

l Don’t know

20%

8%

43%16%

6%6%

l 0 – 6 months

l 7 months – 2 years

l 3 – 5 years

l 6 – 9 years

l 10 years or more

27%

30%16%

19%8%

Would you consider another expat posting after this one?

Length of time in the country of residence


Expats based in countries that score low on the overall experience league table were

most likely to contact their friends and family more frequently since becoming an

expat. Expats based in Saudi Arabia (32%), Qatar (24%) and Russia (24%) which all

score within the bottom quartile of the experience league table, agree they spend

more time contacting friends and family than they did before relocating (compared

to an overall average score of 19%). These results highlight that expats based in low

scoring experience countries may be feeling more homesick than their counterparts

based in higher scoring locations. These expats are also likely to be taking advantage

of increasingly popular social media tools such as Twitter, Skype and Facebook that

make contacting loved ones while abroad cheaper and easier to do.


Contacting friends and family more often

Overall Sample (100+ countries) 19%

Saudi Arabia 32%

Qatar 24%

Russia 24%


Regional League TablesOverall Experience Overall Setting up Overall Integration Overall Quality of life

Country SCORE RANK SCORE RANK SCORE RANK SCORE RANK

THE

A

ME

RIC

AS

Canada 0.59 1 (2) 0.66 (2) 0.74 (3) 0.54 (4)

Bermuda 0.57 2 (7) 0.60 (9) 0.67 (11) 0.53 (5)

United States 0.49 3 (16) 0.58 (12) 0.69 (8) 0.42 (18)

Mexico 0.47 4 (19) 0.52 (16) 0.72 (5) 0.39 (21)

AS

IA P

AC

IFIC

Thailand 0.62 1 (1) 0.65 (3) 0.73 (4) 0.58 (1)

Australia 0.55 2 (8) 0.64 (4) 0.70 (7) 0.49 (9)

Malaysia 0.54 3 (9) 0.62 (5) 0.65 (13) 0.49 (9)

Singapore 0.52 4 (12) 0.61 (7) 0.62 (16) 0.47 (14)

Hong Kong 0.52 5 (13) 0.62 (6) 0.61 (18) 0.47 (15)

Philippines 0.51 6 (15) 0.52 (14) 0.60 (20) 0.49 (11)

China 0.44 7 (21) 0.45 (20) 0.62 (17) 0.38 (22)

Russian Federation 0.40 8 (24) 0.41 (23) 0.59 (21) 0.35 (24)

India 0.35 9 (25) 0.39 (25) 0.56 (22) 0.29 (25)

EU

RO

PE

Spain 0.59 1 (4) 0.60 (10) 0.81 (1) 0.53 (6)

France 0.58 2 (6) 0.60 (11) 0.79 (2) 0.52 (7)

Switzerland 0.53 3 (10) 0.49 (17) 0.65 (13) 0.50 (8)

Germany 0.52 4 (11) 0.52 (15) 0.72 (6) 0.47 (12)

Belgium 0.52 5 (14) 0.53 (13) 0.68 (10) 0.47 (13)

Netherlands 0.48 6 (18) 0.45 (21) 0.61 (19) 0.45 (17)

United Kingdom 0.44 7 (20) 0.49 (19) 0.69 (9) 0.37 (23)

MID

DLE

EA

ST

AN

D A

FRIC

A

Bahrain 0.59 1 (3) 0.61 (8) 0.65 (15) 0.57 (2)

South Africa 0.58 2 (5) 0.66 (1) 0.67 (12) 0.54 (3)

United Arab Emirates 0.48 3 (17) 0.49 (18) 0.51 (24) 0.46 (16)

Qatar 0.43 4 (22) 0.41 (24) 0.49 (25) 0.42 (19)

Saudi Arabia 0.42 5 (23) 0.43 (22) 0.51 (23) 0.40 (20)


MethodologyAbout Expat Explorer

The Expat Explorer survey, now in its third year, is the largest global survey of expats.

Commissioned by HSBC Bank International and conducted by third party research

company GfK, 4,127 expats were questioned through an online survey between

26th April 2010 and 7th June 2010, with expats from over 100 countries worldwide

taking part – making this unique survey the largest of its kind. Individuals from four

continents described the opportunities and challenges they experience living away

from home. The survey provides an insight into how expat life differs from country

to country, continent to continent and from an expats’ country of origin.

Please note: the sampling technique used for the 2010 survey does not claim to give

a fully representative sample of expatriates. In addition, it differs substantially from

the sampling technique used in 2009. Therefore, comparisons of results year on year

are not statistically valid and have been made for illustrative purposes only.

A sample size of 30 or more respondents from each country was required for

inclusion in the league tables, in order to be considered robust and indicative of

the views and trends of the specific population it relates to. The league tables are

based on a series of interrelated factors (rather than a single factor or question) to

ensure a fair assessment of how individual countries rate across the full criteria.

The responses of those who answered “not applicable” or “refuse to say” have

been excluded.

An expatriate is defined as someone over the age of 18 years old and currently living

away from their home country (country of origin). It was designed so that we could

capture the views from expats with origins from around the globe.

About Expat Experience

Expat Experience is the second report to be produced from the Expat Explorer

research. It explores the quality of life as an expat, looking at those factors directly

impacting upon an expat’s lifestyle in their country of residence. In addition, the

report also explores the crucial factors of integration and assimilation into a new

culture, such as the ability to learn a new language and make friends.

The ranking table is determined by 29 sub-criteria, including the increase or

decrease in quality of a number of day-to-day items including accommodation

/food/social life, ease of organising finances, ease of finding accommodation and

the ability to make friends. These sub-criteria are grouped into 3 main factors:

Setting up, Integrating and Quality of life. Each sub-criterion is equally weighted

to arrive at a score for each factor.

Scores from each factor are then weighted to arrive at an Overall ‘Expat Experience’

Score and Overall Rank. The weighting applied is as follows: Setting up – 16.7%,

Integration – 16.7% and Quality of life – 66.7%.

Country reports


Interesting and challenging

but bureaucratically frustrating,

particularly with respect to

taxation, immigration and

healthcare. Professional

advice is very costly and

generally not reliable.

– Expat in the USA

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

e Overall ranking: 16th out of 25

e Setting up Score: 12th out of 25

e Integration: 8th out of 25

e Quality of Life Score: 18th out of 25

United States of America (continued)


Organising finances and healthcare is challenging in the USA but it’s a good

place to make local friends

Overall, the United States ranked 16th as a favourable location to live in terms of

expat experience, falling in the third quartile of the Experience league table. Broadly

speaking, US-based expats felt that their social life, healthcare, food and diet were

better in their country of origin. Almost half (45%) of those surveyed believed that

their social life was more active back home than compared to the worldwide average

of 38%.

There appears to be a mixed picture painted for the United States. While the quality

of life ranking was comparatively low (18th), the US ranked 8th in terms of ease of

integration. One in five (20%) felt it was easy to pick up the local language, which

could be attributed to English being the second most spoken language around the

world. Half (50%) of all US-based expats found it easy to make local friends compared

to the average of 42%. The results of the survey suggest that ease of learning the local

language and adapting to the local culture are areas that the United States fares well

as an expat destination.

Healthcare (access and quality) better in country of origin

44%

35%

Overall Sample (100+ countries) USA

Social life more active in country of origin

45%38%

Healthier diet in country of origin

41%

27%


Country reports (continued)




e Quality of Life Score: 23rd out of 25

UNITED KINGDOM

Career developing,

mind-opening, complex,

sometimes uncertain,

dislocated, fun, tasty...

– Expat in the UK


United Kingdom (continued)

The UK ranks poorly in terms of lifestyle location for expats

The results from this year’s Expat Experience report paint a grey picture for UK-based

expats. The findings show that the majority of expats based in the UK do not believe

their quality of life is better than their country of origin. Of the top 25 countries, the UK

was the only European country to fall in the bottom quartile of the Experience league

table, ranking 20th in terms of overall experience. The UK performs only slightly better

than expats based in China, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Russia and India who dominate the

bottom quartile of the league table.

In terms of quality of life, the UK ranks 23rd out of 25 countries. Almost four in five

(78%) expats believed they experienced no change in the quality of accommodation

in the UK or thought it had worsened compared to their home country. The UK also

performs badly in terms of the ease of finding accommodation. Here, the UK ranks 20th

out of 25 countries, falling behind Thailand, Bahrain and South Africa who dominate the

top three spots in the upper quartile of this category.

UK-based expats also rank their commute to work as poor, reflected in the UK’s ranking

(25th out of 25) when compared to other countries. Almost half (46%) of those surveyed

worked within the financial sector, suggesting the majority of expats are based in

London and therefore have to navigate the daily commute on London’s busy public

transport system. Nearly half of all UK-based expats (46%) think that they had a better

commute back home.

However, it is not all bad news for expats in the UK. The quality of entertainment is

a category where the UK appears to do well from an expat’s point of view. Excellent

entertainment offerings mean the UK ranks first for this aspect of expat life, with more

than two thirds (69%) citing that they enjoy the local entertainment.

Looking at the other areas of expat experience, the UK does well on ease of integration

ranking 9th out of 25. 41% of UK-based expats think that it is easy for them to make local

friends and almost two thirds (62%) feel they are integrating well in the local community.

Overall Sample (100+ countries) UK

I have a worse commute to work than in my

home country

46%

20%

It was easy to find accommodation

37%48%

My accommodation is nicer than in my

home country

22%

46%

I enjoy the local entertainment

69%

45%


HONG KONG


Culturally challenging, but

personally rewarding.

– Expat in Hong Kong






Hong Kong (continued)

Hong Kong is the all-rounder for a favourable destination to relocate

Hong Kong performs well in terms of its overall ranking in the Expat Experience league

tables (13th out of 25) suggesting that it is a favourable destination for expats to

relocate to. In particular, the ease of setting up (6th) coupled with the overall quality of

life (15th) makes Hong Kong a particularly attractive location. However when it comes

to integration, Hong Kong scores poorly, ranking 18th along with others in East Asia

including Singapore (16th) and China (17th).

More than half of respondents (58%) said that it was relatively easy to find

accommodation compared to the overall average of 48%. Hong Kong’s transportation

system was also well regarded by expats living in Hong Kong. The ubiquity of the

Octopus card, well sign-posted stations and seamless MTR network are reflected in

Hong Kong’s high ranking for ease of travelling around (2nd out of 25). Almost nine in ten

(89%) Hong Kong-based expats found it easy to travel around locally, whilst more than

two-thirds (67%) claimed a rise in the quality of their commute to work when compared

to their home country.

Making friends was also another area where Hong Kong performed well, ranking 4th

overall. Almost two-thirds (65%) of expats claimed it was easy to make friends, but 44%

of expats said they found it difficult to make local friends, suggesting that expats tend

to stick with other Hong Kong-based expats.

The results also show that Hong Kong performs poorly in terms of integration, ranking

18th out of 25 for expats choosing to join a local community group and 19th when it

comes to learning the local language.

* Please note that although Hong Kong is referred to here as a country for the sake of this report, Hong Kong is a territory of China.

It is easy to travel around locally

89%75%

Overall Sample (100+ countries) Hong Kong

It is easy to find accommodation

58%48%

I have a better commute to work than in my

home country

67%

50%


SINGAPORE


Varied and interesting

exposure to different

cultures giving a broader

understanding of life

outside home country.

– Expat in Singapore






Singapore (continued)

Integration and ease of setting up paint a mixed picture for expats in Singapore

While Singapore topped the income league table in our 2010 Expat Economics

report, the quality of life (14th) is worse in comparison to other popular expat

destinations such as Bahrain, which ranked second in the overall quality of life

ranking. Expats who have made Singapore their home reported that while setting up

was easy, many found it difficult to integrate with local people and it scored poorly in

this respect, ranking 16th out of 25, painting a similar picture to that of Hong Kong.

Looking more closely at the results, Singapore performed well on the ease of

settling in. Nearly half (47%) of all expats based in Singapore said it was fairly easy

for them to adapt to the local work culture and nearly two thirds (61%) found it very

easy to organise their healthcare, with more than a third (34%) agreeing that access

to and quality of healthcare was much better than their country of origin. Similar to

Hong Kong, Singapore’s transport system impressed expats based there. Almost

two thirds (61%) of expats claim a rise in general transport quality in terms of their

commute to work.

However, results from the ease of integration show a different story. Singapore

performed badly in terms of socialising with local people and participating in

local communities ranking 19th out of 25 and fell into the third quartile for

both categories.

It is easy to travel around locally

86%75%

I have a better commute to work than in my

home country

61%50%

Overall Sample (100+ countries) Singapore



UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Becoming an expat has

been one of the most

fulfilling experiences of

my life. It is one of the

best things I have done.

– Expat in the UAE





United Arab Emirates (continued)


UAE-based expats find it hard to integrate into the local community but enjoy

a good social life

Ranked 24th out of 25 countries, the United Arab Emirates performs poorly in six

of the seven criterion used to measure overall ranking for integration. The UAE falls

to the bottom of the fourth quartile in terms of experiencing local culture, learning

and using the local language, ease of making local friends, integrating into the local

community, feeling welcomed at work and overall enjoyment in shopping for local

produce in the local shops and markets. Only one in five (20%) found it easy to make

local friends compared to the worldwide average of 42%.

On quality of life however, the UAE compares favourably on accommodation (ranking

10th out of 25) and participation in sports (12th). With its long coastline, UAE-based

expats are within easy reach of a whole host of water sports and other sporting

activities. 37% of expats in the UAE thought that they were more active in sports

than in their home country, compared to the worldwide average of 33%. The UAE

also rates favourably on social life (10th out of 25).

Almost half (45%) of UAE-based expats said they enjoyed the local entertainment

and 37% felt they had a more active social life than in their home countries. There

was an indication that UAE-based expats tend to stick with other expats within the

community, with more than half (54%) of expats saying it was easy for them to

make friends.

Overall Sample (100+ countries) UAE

It is easy for me to make local friends

20%

42%


AUSTRALIA


Always on the move,

constantly changing and

full of surprises and new

experiences. I don’t

regret this life at all.

– Expat in Australia






Australia (continued)

Australia makes an attractive destination for expats

The results from this year’s Expat Explorer survey show that Australia continues

to be an attractive destination for expats from an experience perspective. Overall,

Australia is ranked 8th out of the 25 countries included in the study and is found in

the top ten for ease of setting up (4th) integration (7th) and quality of life (9th).

One of the main drivers behind Australia’s high quality of life score is that many

expats admit to leading a healthier lifestyle than in their home country, with 41%

suggesting that they play more sport, 50% saying that they eat a healthier diet and

48% having a better work life balance. Interestingly, this healthier lifestyle is also

accompanied by better access to and quality of healthcare with over a third (36%)

agreeing with this statement.

One of the main advantages of becoming an expat in Australia is the ease of setting

up in the country. Nearly two thirds (63%) of all expats with children in education

described the process of organising schools as easy, placing it in the top five (4th)

of all countries surveyed. This trend is also mirrored in terms of organising finances,

setting up utilities and making friends with 64%, 66% and 53% of Australia-based

expats respectively who described the process as easy.

In addition to this, expats often find integrating into local culture an easy process

with 53% agreeing they enjoyed the local entertainment and a further 35%

suggesting they would rather eat the local cuisine than that of their home country.

I have a healthier diet than in my home country

50%

34%

Overall Sample (100+ countries) Australia

I am more active in sports than in my

home country

41%

33%

My work life balance is better than in my

home country

48%43%


CANADA


Much better standard

of living, healthy

lifestyle, more

time together.

– Expat in Canada

e Overall ranking: 2nd out of 25

e Setting up Score: 2nd out of 25

e Integration: 3rd out of 25



Canada (continued)

Canada scores top for setting up and integration

For those looking to relocate to the far west, Canada is the ideal location. While

Canada ranked at the top of the Experience league table in 2009, this year it is

placed 2nd, being just beaten to the top spot by Thailand.

Canada still performs well on the setting up score, (2nd out of 25), and integration

(3rd), suggesting it is a fairly easy place for expats to relocate to. It is ranked as one

of the top five countries for organising schools for children, organising finances,

finding somewhere to live, ease of getting used to local food, learning the local

language and setting up utilities – leaving only getting used to the weather as the

most challenging aspect.

Canada-based expats typically integrate well within local society with 45% claiming they

go out with local friends as much as fellow expats – the highest score of all 25 countries.

From a quality of life perspective (where Canada ranks 4th out of 25), the country

scores well on a number of factors. Expats based in Canada are more active in

sports (43%), have a better work environment (57%) and a better work life balance

(57%). Many expats based in Canada also agree that they are able to live in a nicer

or bigger property (73%), and have a healthier diet (50%). One area where fewer

expats agreed, compared to their counterparts elsewhere, was that they were

travelling more than before – 58% of expats based in Canada believe they travel

more since relocating, compared to an average of 69%.

Overall Sample (100+ countries) Canada

I am more active in sports than in my

home country

43%33%

My working environment is better than in my

home country

57%

43%

My work life balance is better than in my

home country

57%

43%

I live in a nicer / bigger property

73%

50%

I have a healthier diet than in my home country

50%

34%


FRANCE


Great lifestyle, friends in

every continent, career

booster and definitely a

new eye to the world.

– Expat in France



e Integration: 2nd out of 25



France (continued)

France makes a popular lifestyle choice for retirees

France ranks 6th overall in the Experience league table, making it second only to

Spain in the experience rankings for Europe. France has one of the highest numbers

of retiree expats (33%) and 21% of those who move to France do so specifically

to retire, showing that many expats decide it is the perfect place to spend their

retirement years.

The country scores particularly well on integration (2nd out of 25), with expats in

France especially enjoying the local food and local culture (both score 1st out of 25),

making it one of the most friendly, culturally rich and inclusive locations.

Expats in France reported that while the country scores well for quality of life and

integration, many didn’t find the country very easy to set up in, scoring 11th out of

25. Some of the most difficult aspects were organising healthcare (18th) and getting

used to the new work culture (15th). However, when healthcare had been set up,

the majority of expats in France (67%) thought it was of better quality and easier

to access than in their home country.

I enjoy having local food rather than having food from my home country

all the time

79%

52%

I am happy to experience

local culture

95%85%

Overall Sample (100+ countries) France



I have a full and varied

life in a good country

with little local crime

and friendly Spanish

people, great healthcare

and fabulous weather mostly.

– Expat in Spain



e Integration: 1st out of 25


SPAIN


Spain (continued)

Spain makes a popular retirement destination

Spain is the most popular destination for retirees with 38% of the expat community

made up of this group and 25% of Spain-based expats moving to the country

specifically to retire. And it’s no surprise to see it is such a sought after retirement

location. Spain scores top of all European countries in the overall experience league

table (4th out of 25). Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the number of retirees in Spain,

very few decide to relocate there for monetary gain (18% vs 57% overall).

Spain scores the highest of all countries for integration, especially in relation to local

friends and local shopping (1st), local food, local culture and local language (2nd),

suggesting that once expats in Spain are settled into their new location they feel

completely involved in their local community. Over three-quarters of expats there

choose to eat the local food rather than food from their home country and 92%

agree they have tried to learn and use the local language, showing that those who

move to Spain are keen to get completely involved in their new country.

Many expats also decide to stay in Spain for a considerable length of time – 52% have

lived there for longer than six years, much more than the overall average of 35%.

Similar to France, Spain also causes expats some problems in terms of setting up,

scoring 10th out of 25. The area Spain-based expats found particularly difficult was

the setting up of utilities (20th) which appear to be much more challenging in Spain

than in many expats’ home countries.

Overall Sample (100+ countries) Spain

It is easy for me to make local friends

58%

42%

I like shopping for local produce in the local

shops / markets

88%

67%

I enjoy having local food rather than having food from my home country

all the time

79%

52%

I am happy to experience

local culture

93%85%

I try to learn / use the local language

92%

60%


GERMANY


Difficult at times but

there is nowhere else

I would rather be. It has

made me a better person.

– Expat in Germany






Germany (continued)

Expats in Germany find learning the local language a considerable challenge

Of the European countries, Germany ranks 11th in the overall Expat Experience

league table, placing it behind Spain (4th), France (6th) and Switzerland (10th). Expats

surveyed typically found that relocating to Germany had improved their everyday

lifestyle, with 37% agreeing their working environment was better in comparison

to their home country and 45% agreeing that their work life balance had improved.

Expats in Germany also found it a relatively easy place for integrating with 46%

agreeing they enjoyed the local entertainment while 72% described adapting to the

local food as easy. Despite this ease of integration, Germany did rank 24th out of

the 25 countries surveyed on ease of making friends, with 36% describing this as

difficult. One of the key drivers of this may be overcoming the challenge of learning

the local language (49% described this as difficult).

Many expats also found initially setting up in Germany a difficult process (the

country ranked 15th out of the 25 surveyed). Nearly one in four expats said

that organising their finances in Germany has been difficult, with a further 29%

suggesting that organising schools for their children had also been challenging. On

the positive side, 54% of expats said that organising their healthcare provisions had

been easy, suggesting that certain aspects of expat life were easier to set up than

others. Interestingly, once this initial set up has been achieved many expats choose

to remain in Germany for a considerable period of time, with 36% of those surveyed

having lived there for 6 years or more.

Overall Sample (100+ countries) Germany

It was difficult to learn the local language

49%

40%


CHINA


It is a very good

opportunity for me and I

try to enjoy my life in the

country where I am working

until repatriation. But work

wise, hard to understand

local behaviour.

– Expat in China

e Overall ranking: 21st out of 25



e Quality of Life Score: 22nd out of 25


China (continued)

As one of the world’s economic powerhouses, China doesn’t appear to be a

popular destination for expat experiences

Despite being one of the world’s economic powerhouses, the results of this year’s

Expat Explorer survey show that China doesn’t appear to be one of the more popular

destinations from an experience perspective, with an overall ranking of 21st out of 25.

One of the key factors underpinning this position is the difficulty many expats face

when trying to set up in their new host country. Nearly a quarter (24%) of expats

surveyed described organising their finances as difficult, placing China at the bottom

of the global league table (25th) for this. In addition to finances, other difficulties

included organising healthcare (34%), learning the local language (57%) and adapting

to the local work culture (31%).

Expats in China also found that in several instances their quality of life was also

lower than in their home country. 41% of expats disagreed with the statement that

they had a more active social life than in their home country and only 30% agreed

that they enjoyed the local entertainment.

Many expats also found that their work life balance had diminished since relocating

to China. 48% thought their work/life balance was worse than in their home country,

while 43% thought their working environment was worse.

48%

29%

43%

25%

My work life balance is worse than in my

home country

My working environment is worse than in my

home country

Overall Sample (100+ countries) China

Further informationContact:

Katy Ringsdore

PR Manager

HSBC Bank International

Phone: 01534 606865

Email: [email protected]

Karen Butcher / Nick Woods

Hill & Knowlton

Phone: 020 7413 3181 / 3515

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Web: www.offshore.hsbc.com/expatexplorer

Blog: www.expatexplorer.blogspot.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/expatexplorer


HSBC Bank International - Iberglobal Expat Explorer Survey 2010 Report two: Expat Experience. About...

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