This is a survey commissioned by HSBC. For expats with no children, the Philippines was ranked #10 in the world, measured across 2 dimensions (economics and experience) above HK,South Africa,Canada, Switzerland,Australia, United States ect.
http://www.expatexplorer.hsbc.com/
Country Rank Score Rank Score
Bahrain * 1
Bermuda * 2
Singapore 3
Thailand * 4
United Arab Emirates 5
Russia * 6
Saudi Arabia * 7
Qatar 8
Malaysia * 9
Philippines * 10
Hong Kong 11
South Africa * 12
Canada 13
Switzerland * 14
Australia 15
United States 16
China 17
Mexico * 18
Spain 19
France 20
Belgium 21
Germany 22
United Kingdom 23
Netherlands 24
India * 25
For economics alone, Philippines was ranked even higher at #8 in the world.
Wow, nice! But, I know the bashers in this forum can't wait to bash the Philippines and whine like a bunch of babies once again. But, all I can say is, bash the Philippines all you want and it won't change a thing on this survey from the past 2 years.
If you measure it across 3 dimensions where the * came from, (economics, experience, offspring) there is not enough data so it was omitted. Well, the same can be said for countries like Switzerland, Saudi Arabia,South Africa, Bermuda ect, where a sufficient data concerning offspring were not include.. Possibly many of the expats in these countries were without children, like my situation young and single with no children.
Notable headlines from the previous year as well:
"Last year expats in the Philippines made the headlines ranking the 8th wealthiest country in the World with over 30% saying they had more disposable income since moving. Expats based there were also the most likely to have domestic help with 90% of respondents employing staff at home. Expats were also able to buy more luxuries with 38% owning more than one property, 43% owning a property with a swimming pool and 67% taking more exotic holidays.
Finding accommodation and quality of accommodation was ranked particularly high. Expats also enjoyed a fulfilling social life participating in a range of entertainment and finding it easy to integrate and make new friends.
Here is how some of last years respondents described their lives in the Philippines:
Highly privileged and enriching. Lucrative yet humbling and a very special way of seeing and experiencing what the world has to offer.
We all enjoy living the expat lifestyle as company pays for healthcare, schooling, and utilities therefore allowing us to save money to enjoy earlier retirement.
It has been the most rewarding & most challenging experience of my career!
Here is a synopsis of the methodology from HSBC:
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.
A sample size of 30 or more respondents with children from each country was
required for inclusion in the Offshore Offspring 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 responded not applicable
or refuse to say have been excluded.