Iceland, Reykjavik Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 18, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of Iceland.

Location: Iceland is an island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the United Kingdom.

Country Climate: Temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers.

Country Terrain: Mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords.

Major Languages: Icelandic.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 0.316 million (2008 est.) 0.319 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Iceland is a small mixed economy with high levels of free trade and government intervention and subject to high volatility.

Currency: Iceland Krona (ISK).

Country Inflation: 12.4% (2008 est.) 11.7% (2009 est.).

City: Reykjavík is the capital and largest city of Iceland.

City Economy: Reykjavík is is the only metropolitan area in Iceland. As a highly modernized capital of one of the most developed countries in the world, its inhabitants enjoy a first-class welfare system and city infrastructure.

Cost of Living: Reykjavik 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. Reykjavik is currently ranked 58 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Malta, Velletta Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 18, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of Malta.

Location: Malta is in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy).

Country Climate: Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers.

Country Terrain: Mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs.

Major Languages: Maltese, English.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 0.4 million (2008 est.) 0.4 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Malta’s strengths are its limestone, a favourable geographic location, and a productive labour force. Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited freshwater supplies, and has no domestic energy sources. The economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing (especially electronics), tourism and financial services.

Currency: Euro (EUR).

Country Inflation: 4.7% (2008 est.) 2.1% (2009 est.).

City: Valletta is the capital city of Malta.

City Economy: The Valletta peninsula has two natural harbours, Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour. The Grand Harbour is Malta’s major port.

Cost of Living: Velletta 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. Velletta is currently ranked 93 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Mali, Bamako Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 18, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: The Republic of Mali.

Location: Mali is in Western Africa, southwest of Algeria.

Country Climate: Subtropical to arid; hot and dry (February to June); rainy, humid, and mild (June to November); cool and dry (November to February).

Country Terrain: Mostly flat to rolling northern plains covered by sand; savanna in south, rugged hills in northeast.

Major Languages: French, Bambara, Berber, Arabic.

Major Religions: Islam, indigenous beliefs.

Country Population: 13.4 million (2008 est.) 13.7 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The Economy of Mali is based to a large extent on agriculture, with an overwhelmingly rural population, many of whom are engaged in subsistence agriculture. Mali is among the ten poorest nations of the world, is one of the 37 Heavily Indebted Poor Countries, and is a major recipient of foreign aid from many sources.

Currency: CFA Franc (XOF).

Country Inflation: 9.2% (2008 est.) 2.5% (2009 est.).

City: Bamako is the capital and largest city of Mali.

City Economy: Bamako is the nation’s administrative center, river port in nearby Koulikoro, and a major regional trade and conference center.

Cost of Living: Bamako 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. Bamako is currently ranked 48 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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India, Hyderabad Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of India.

Location: India is in Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan.

Country Climate: Varies from tropical monsoon in south to temperate in north.

Country Terrain: Upland plain (Deccan Plateau) in south, flat to rolling plain along the Ganges, deserts in west, Himalayas in north.

Major Languages: Hindi, English and at least 16 other official languages.

Major Religions: Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism.

Country Population: 1186.3 million (2008 est.) 1203.3 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of India is the twelfth largest economy in the world by nominal value and the fourth largest by purchasing power parity (PPP). In the 1990s, following economic reform from the socialist-inspired economy of post-independence India, the country began to experience rapid economic growth, as markets opened for international competition and investment. In the 21st century, India is an emerging economic power with vast human and natural resources, and a huge knowledge base.

Currency: Indian Rupee (INR).

Country Inflation: 8.3% (2008 est.) 8.7% (2009 est.).

City: Hyderabad is the capital and the most populous city of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

City Economy: Hyderabad has developed into a major hub for the information technology industry in India. The city is home to the world’s largest film studio, the Ramoji Film City as well as the Telugu Film Industry, the second-largest in India, known popularly as Tollywood.

Cost of Living: Hyderabad 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. Hyderabad is currently ranked 164 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Maldives, Male Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of Maldives.

Location: The Maldives is in Southern Asia, and consists of a group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India.

Country Climate: Tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August).

Country Terrain: Flat, with white sandy beaches. With an average ground level of 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) above sea level, it is the lowest country on the planet.

Major Languages: Divehi.

Major Religions: Islam.

Country Population: 0.3 million (2008 est.) 0.3 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The mixed economy of the Maldives is based on the principal activities of tourism, fishing and shipping.

Currency: Maldive Rufiyaa (MVR).

Country Inflation: 11.9% (2008 est.) 5.5% (2009 est.).

City: Male is the capital and largest city (in terms of population) in the Republic of Maldives.

City Economy: The central part of the Male city is formed by Male Island. Three more islands are part of the city. Slightly less than one third of the nation’s population lives in the capital city. Many, if not most, Maldivians and foreign workers in Maldives find themselves in occasional short term residence on the island since it is the only entry point to the nation and the centre of all administration and bureaucracy.

Cost of Living: Male 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. Male is currently ranked 167 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Federation of Malaysia.

Location: Malaysia is a peninsula in South Eastern Asia bordering Thailand and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia, Brunei, and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam.

Country Climate: Tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons.

Country Terrain: Coastal plains rising to hills and mountains.

Major Languages: Malay (official), English, Chinese dialects, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam.

Major Religions: Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism.

Country Population: 27.3 million (2008 est.) 27.8 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Malaysia is a growing and relatively open state-oriented market economy. The state plays a significant but declining role in guiding economic activity through macroeconomic plans.

Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR).

Country Inflation: 5.4% (2008 est.) -0.1% (2009 est.).

City: Kuala Lumpur (KL) is the capital and largest city of Malaysia.

City Economy: Kuala Lumpur is the cultural and economic centre of Malaysia.

Cost of Living: Kuala Lumpur 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. Kuala Lumpur is currently ranked 251 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Malawi, Lilongwe Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: The Republic of Malawi.

Location: Malawi is in Southern Africa, east of Zambia.

Country Climate: Sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November).

Country Terrain: Narrow elongated plateau with rolling plains, rounded hills, some mountains.

Major Languages: English, Chichewa (both official).

Major Religions: Christianity, Islam.

Country Population: 13.7 million (2008 est.) 13.9 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Malawi is among the world’s least developed and most densely populated. The economy is heavily agriculture-based, with around 85% of the population living in rural areas. More than one-third of GDP and 90% of export revenues come from agriculture.

Currency: Malawi Kwacha (MWK).

Country Inflation: 8.7% (2008 est.) 8.6% (2009 est.).

City: Lilongwe is the capital of Malawi.

City Economy: Lilongwe is the political centre of Malawi while Blantyre is the economic capital.

Cost of Living: Lilongwe 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. Lilongwe is currently ranked 156 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Honduras, Tegucigalpa Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of Honduras.

Location: Honduras is in Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the Gulf of Fonseca (North Pacific Ocean), between El Salvador and Nicaragua.

Country Climate: Subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains.

Country Terrain: Mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains.

Major Languages: Spanish, indigenous languages, English.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 7.7 million (2008 est.) 7.8 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: .

Currency: Honduran Lempira (HNL).

Country Inflation: 11.4% (2008 est.) 5.9% (2009 est.).

City: Tegucigalpa is the capital city of Honduras and is also the country’s largest city.

City Economy: Tegucigalpa, as a colonial city, has several barrios in the oldest districts of the city and Comayaguela, and colonias in the new ones. None of them have well-defined limits or even town-centers.

Cost of Living: Tegucigalpa 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. Tegucigalpa is currently ranked 196 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Madagascar, Antananarivo Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of Madagascar.

Location: Madagascar is an island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique.

Country Climate: Tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south.

Country Terrain: Narrow coastal plain, high plateau and mountains in center.

Major Languages: Malagasy (official), French.

Major Religions: Indigenous beliefs, Christianity.

Country Population: 20.2 million (2008 est.) 20.7 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Madagascar is reliant on agriculture, including fishing and forestry, accounting for 34 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and contributing more than 70 percent to export earnings. Industry features textile manufacturing and the processing of agricultural products.

Currency: Malagasy Ariary (MGA).

Country Inflation: 9.2% (2008 est.) 9.9% (2009 est.).

City: Antananarivo is the capital and largest city in Madagascar.

City Economy: Antananarivo is the political and economic capital of Madagascar. The city is guarded by two forts built on hills to the east. Including an Anglican and a Roman Catholic cathedral, there are more than 5,000 churches in the city and its suburbs.

Cost of Living: Antananarivo 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. Antananarivo is currently ranked 235 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Macedonia, Skopje Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of Macedonia (listed by the UN as The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia).

Location: Macedonia is in South Eastern Europe, north of Greece.

Country Climate: Warm, dry summers and autumns; relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall.

Country Terrain: Mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by the Vardar River.

Major Languages: Macedonian, Albanian.

Major Religions: Christianity, Islam.

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

Country Economy: The economy of Macedonia has undergone considerable economic reform since independence. The country has developed an open economy with trade accounting for more than 90% of GDP in recent years.

Currency: Macedonian Denar (MKD).

Country Inflation: 8.3% (2008 est.) -0.5% (2009 est.).

City: Skopje is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Macedonia.

City Economy: Skopje is a modern city and a center for metal-processing, chemical, timber, textile, leather, and printing industries. Industrial development of the city has been accompanied by development of the trade, logistics, and banking sectors, as well as an emphasis on the fields of culture and sport.

Cost of living: Skopje 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. Skopje is currently ranked 183 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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