Niger, Niamey Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 20, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: The Republic of Niger.

Location: Niger is in Western Africa, southeast of Algeria.

Country Climate: Desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south.

Country Terrain: Predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains in south; hills in north.

Major Languages: French (official), Arabic, Hausa, Songhai.

Major Religions: Islam, indigenous beliefs.

Country Population: 13.8 million (2008 est.) 14.2 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Niger is based largely upon internal markets, subsitance agriculture, and the export of raw commodities: food stuffs to neighbors and raw minerals to world markets. Economic activity centres on subsistence agriculture, animal husbandry, re-export trade, and export of uranium.

Currency: CFA Franc (XOF).

Country Inflation: 11.3% (2008 est.) 4.8% (2009 est.).

City: Niamey is the capital and largest city of the West African nation of Niger.

City Economy: Niamey is the administrative, cultural and economic center. The city is located in a pearl millet growing region, while manufacturing industries include bricks, ceramic goods, cement and weaving.

Cost of Living: Niamey has an overall cost of living index which equates it with middle cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Niamey is currently ranked 138 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Nicaragua, Managua Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 20, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of Nicaragua.

Location: Nicaragua is in Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras.

Country Climate: Tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands.

Country Terrain: Extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes.

Major Languages: Spanish, English, indigenous languages.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 6.2 million (2008 est.) 6.3 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Nicaragua has made significant progress toward macro-economic stabilization over the past few years. Nicaragua is primarily an agricultural country, but construction, mining, fisheries, and general commerce also have been expanding during the last few years.

Currency: Nicaraguan Cordoba Oro (NIO).

Country Inflation: 19.9% (2008 est.) 4.3% (2009 est.).

City: Managua is the capital city of Nicaragua.

City Economy: Managua is Nicaragua’s chief trading center for coffee, cotton, and other crops. It is also an important industrial center.

Cost of Living: Managua has an overall cost of living index which equates it with low cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Managua is currently ranked 247 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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New Zealand, Auckland Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 20, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: New Zealand.

Location: New Zealand is in Oceania, and comprises islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia.

Country Climate: Temperate with sharp regional contrasts.

Country Terrain: Predominately mountainous with some large coastal plains.

Major Languages: English, Maori.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 4.3 million (2008 est.) 4.3 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The Economy of New Zealand is a market economy which is greatly dependent on international trade, mainly with Australia, the European Union, the United States, China and Japan. It has only small manufacturing and high-tech sectors, being strongly focused on tourism and primary industries like agriculture (though both sectors are highly profitable).

Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZD).

Country Inflation: 4.0% (2008 est.) 1.5% (2009 est.).

City: Auckland in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area.

City Economy: Most major international corporations have an Auckland office, as the city is the economic capital of the nation.

Cost of Living: Auckland has an overall cost of living index which equates it with middle cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Auckland is currently ranked 98 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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New Caledonia, Noumea Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 20, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: New Caledonia.

Location: New Caledonia (Self-governing territory of France) is in Oceania, and comprises islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia.

Country Climate: Tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid.

Country Terrain: Coastal plains with interior mountains.

Major Languages: French (official), Melanesian and Polynesian dialects.

Major Religions: Christianity, indigenous beliefs.

Country Population: 0.247 million (2008 est.) 0.249 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: New Caledonia has more than 25% of the world’s known nickel resources. In addition to nickel, the substantial financial support from France and tourism are keys to the health of the economy.

Currency: CFP Franc (XPF).

Country Inflation: N/A.

City: Noumea is the capital city of the French territory of New Caledonia.

City Economy: Noumea has experienced a major housing construction boom within the past decade. The installation of amenities has kept pace, and the municipality boasts a public works programme.

Cost of Living: Noumea has an overall cost of living index which equates it with high cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Noumea is currently ranked 13 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Netherlands, Amsterdam Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 20, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: The Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Location: The Netherlands is in Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany.

Country Climate: Temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters.

Country Terrain: Mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast.

Major Languages: Dutch.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 16.7 million (2008 est.) 16.8 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The Netherlands has a prosperous and open economy in which the government has reduced its role since the 1980s. Industrial activity is predominantly in food-processing, Financial services, chemicals, petroleum refining, and electrical machinery.

Currency: Euro (EUR).

Country Inflation: 2.2% (2008 est.) 0.9% (2009 est.).

City: Amsterdam is the capital and largest city of the Netherlands.

City Economy: The city is the financial and cultural capital of the Netherlands. Many large Dutch institutions have their headquarters there, and 7 of the world’s top 500 companies.

Cost of Living: Amsterdam has an overall cost of living index which equates it with high cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Amsterdam is currently ranked 45 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Nepal, Kathmandu Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 20, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Nepal.

Location: Nepal is in Southern Asia, between China and India.

Country Climate: Varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south.

Country Terrain: Tarai or flat river plain of the Ganges in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north.

Major Languages: Nepali.

Major Religions: Hinduism, Buddhism.

Country Population: 27.6 million (2008 est.) 27.9 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Nepal is reliant on external assistance. A long-standing economic agreement underpins a close relationship with India. The country receives foreign aid from India, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Union, China, Switzerland, and Scandinavian countries. Poverty is acute; per-capita income is less than US$470. Agriculture accounts for about 40% of Nepal’s GDP, services comprise 41% and industry 22%. Agriculture employs 76% of the workforce. The rate of unemployment and underemployment approaches half of the working-age population. Thus many Nepali citizens move to India in search of work; the Gulf countries and Malaysia being new sources of work.

Currency: Nepalese Rupee (NPR).

Country Inflation: 7.7% (2008 est.) 13.2% (2009 est.).

City: Kathmandu is the capital and the largest metropolitan city of Nepal.

City Economy: Kathmandu is the most important industrial and commercial centre of Nepal and the headquarters of most companies, banks and organizations in the country are located here.

Cost of Living: Kathmandu has an overall cost of living index which equates it with low cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Kathmandu is currently ranked 262 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Nauru, Yaren Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 20, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of Nauru.

Location: Nauru is an island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Marshall Islands.

Country Climate: Tropical with a monsoonal pattern; rainy season (November to February).

Country Terrain: Sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate plateau in center.

Major Languages: Nauruan, English.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 0.014 million (2008 est.) 0.014 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: Nauru is the world’s smallest island nation and joined the UN in 1999 as the world’s smallest independent republic. Revenues of Nauru have traditionally come from exports of phosphate rock. Primary phosphate reserves were exhausted, and mining ceased, but in 2006-07, mining of a deeper layer of secondary phosphate began. It is hoped that this economic activity might lift Nauru from the bottom rung of global GDP per capita. The only other major source of government revenue is sale of fishing rights in Nauru’s territorial waters.

Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD).

Country Inflation: N/A.

City: Yaren is a district and constituency of the Pacific nation of Nauru. It is the de facto capital of Nauru.

City Economy: Yaren is listed as the de facto capital of Nauru as the republic does not have cities or an official capital. Yaren is accepted by the United Nations as the main district.

Cost of Living: Yaren has an overall cost of living index which equates it with high cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Yaren is currently ranked 73 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Namibia, Windhoek Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 19, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: The Republic of Namibia.

Location: Namibia is in Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa.

Country Climate: Desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic.

Country Terrain: Mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east.

Major Languages: English (official), Afrikaans, German, Oshivambo, Herero, Nama.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 2.1 million (2008 est.) 2.1 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: Agriculture, herding, tourism and mining of precious stones and metals form the backbone of Namibia’s economy. Approximately half the population live below the international poverty line, and the nation has suffered heavily from the effects of HIV/AIDS, with approximately 15% of the adult population infected with HIV.

Currency: Namibian Dollar (NAD).

Country Inflation: 7.1% (2008 est.) 9.2% (2009 est.).

City: Windhoek is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Namibia.

City Economy: Windhoek is the social, economic, and cultural centre of the country.

Cost of Living: Windhoek has an overall cost of living index which equates it with low cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Windhoek is currently ranked 218 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Myanmar, Yangon Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 19, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Union of Myanmar.

Location: Myanmar (Burma) is in South Eastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand.

Country Climate: Tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April).

Country Terrain: Central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands.

Major Languages: Burmese, indigenous ethnic languages.

Major Religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam.

Country Population: 58.8 million (2008 est.) 60.0 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: Burma is one of the poorest nations in the world, suffering from decades of stagnation, mismanagement, and isolation.

Currency: Myanmar Kyat (MMK).

Country Inflation: 22.5% (2008 est.) 6.9% (2009 est.).

City: Yangon is also known as Rangoon and is a former capital of Burma and the capital of Yangon Division.

City Economy: Yangon is the country?s main centre for trade, industry, real estate, media, entertainment and tourism. The city is Lower Myanmar?s main trading hub for all kinds of merchandise ? from basic food stuffs to used cars although commerce continues to be hampered by the city’s severely underdeveloped banking industry and communication infrastructure.

Cost of Living: Yangon has an overall cost of living index which equates it with low cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Yangon is currently ranked 208 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Mozambique, Maputo Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 19, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: The Republic of Mozambique.

Location: Mozambique is in South Eastern Africa, bordering the Mozambique Channel, between South Africa and Tanzania.

Country Climate: Tropical to subtropical.

Country Terrain: Mostly coastal lowlands, uplands in center, high plateaus in northwest, mountains in west.

Major Languages: Portuguese (official), Makua-Lomwe, Swahili, other indigenous languages.

Major Religions: Christianity, indigenous beliefs, Islam.

Country Population: 20.7 million (2008 est.) 21.2 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Mozambique has developed since the end of the Mozambican Civil War (1977-1992), but the country is still one of the world’s poorest and most underdeveloped. Mozambique’s life expectancy and infant mortality rates are both among the worst ranked in the world due to the excessive malaria carrying mosquitoes.

Currency: Mozambican New Metical (MZN).

Country Inflation: 10.3% (2008 est.) 3.5% (2009 est.).

City: Maputo is the capital and largest city of Mozambique.

City Economy: Maputo’s chief exports are coal, cotton, sugar, chromite, sisal, copra, and hardwood. The city manufactures cement, pottery, furniture, shoes, and rubber. There is also a large aluminium smelting plant, Mozal.

Cost of Living: Maputo has an overall cost of living index which equates it with low cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Maputo is currently ranked 207 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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