Kiribati, South Tarawa Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 15, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: The Republic of Kiribati.

Location: Kiribati is in Oceania, a group of 33 coral atolls in the Pacific Ocean, straddling the Equator; the capital Tarawa is about half way between Hawaii and Australia.

Country Climate: Tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds.

Country Terrain: Mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs.

Major Languages: English, Gilbertese.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 0.1 million (2008 est.) 0.1 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The eceonomy of the Republic of Kiribati’s is one of the poorest in the world. In one form or another, Kiribati gets a large portion of its income from abroad. Fishing fleets from South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the United States pay a licensing fee in order to operate in Kiribati’s territorial waters.

Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD).

Country Inflation: 11% (2008 est.) 9.1% (2009 est.).

City: South Tarawa is the official capital of the Republic of Kiribati.

City Economy: Bairiki is a village and an islet now part of South Tarawa, and at one time itself the center of government (and therefore, capital) of Kiribati.

Cost of Living: South Tarawa 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. South Tarawa is currently ranked 12 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Kenya, Nairobi Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 15, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: The Republic of Kenya.

Location: Kenya is in Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania.

Country Climate: Varies from tropical along coast to arid in interior.

Country Terrain: Low plains rise to central highlands bisected by Great Rift Valley; fertile plateau in west.

Major Languages: Swahili, English.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 35.3 million (2008 est.) 35.9 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Kenya is market-based, with some state-owned infrastructure enterprises, and maintains a liberalized external trade system. The economy?s heavy dependence on rain-fed agriculture and the tourism sector leaves it vulnerable to cycles of boom and bust. The agricultural sector employs nearly 75 percent of the country?s 37 million people. Half of the sector?s output remains subsistence production.

Currency: Kenyan Shilling (KES).

Country Inflation: 13.1% (2008 est.) 12% (2009 est.).

City: Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya.

City Economy: Nairobi is the regional headquarters of several international companies and organiations. Goods manufactured in Nairobi include clothing, textiles, building materials, processed foods, beverages, cigarettes.

Cost of Living: Nairobi 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. Nairobi is currently ranked 212 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Kazakhstan, Almaty Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 15, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of Kazakhstan.

Location: Kazakhstan is in Central Asia, northwest of China; a small portion west of the Ural (Zhayyq) River in eastern-most Europe.

Country Climate: Continental, cold winters and hot summers, arid and semiarid.

Country Terrain: Vast flat steppe extending from the Volga in the west to the Altai Mountains in the east and from the plains of western Siberia in the north to oases and deserts of Central Asia in the south.

Major Languages: Kazakh, Russian.

Major Religions: Islam, Christianity.

Country Population: 15.5 million (2008 est.) 15.6 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Kazakhstan is the largest economy in Central Asia. It possesses enormous fossil fuel reserves as well as minerals and metals. It also has considerable agricultural potential with its vast steppe lands accommodating both livestock and grain production, as well as developed space infrastructure, which took over all launches to the International Space Station from the Space Shuttle. Energy is the leading economic sector which includes the production of crude oil and natural gas condensate.

Currency: Kazakhstan Tenge (KZT).

Country Inflation: 17.2% (2008 est.) 7.5% (2009 est.).

City: Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan.

City Economy: Almaty is the major commercial center of Kazakhstan.

Cost of Living: Almaty 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. Almaty is currently ranked 142 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Jordan, Amman Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 15, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Location: Jordan is in the Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia.

Country Climate: Mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April).

Country Terrain: Mostly desert plateau in east, highland area in west; Great Rift Valley separates East and West Banks of the Jordan River.

Major Languages: Arabic.

Major Religions: Islam.

Country Population: 5.8 million (2008 est.) 5.9 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Jordan is small with limited natural resources, but has improved much since its inception as a country. Jordan’s economic resource base centers on phosphates, potash, and their fertilizer derivatives; tourism; overseas remittances; and foreign aid.

Currency: Jordanian Dinar (JOD).

Country Inflation: 14.9% (2008 est.) 0.2% (2009 est.).

City: Amman is the capital and largest city of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

City Economy: Amman is the country’s political, cultural and commercial centre and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Amman is a regional hub in communications, transportation, medical tourism, education, and investment.

Cost of Living: Amman 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. Amman is currently ranked 149 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Jersey, Saint Helier Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 15, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Bailiwick of Jersey. Status: UK Crown Dependency.

Location: Jersey (British Crown Dependency) is an island in the English Channel, northwest of France.

Country Climate: Temperate; mild winters and cool summers.

Country Terrain: Gently rolling plain with low, rugged hills along north coast.

Major Languages: English, French, local forms of French.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 0.091 million (2008 est.) 0.091 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Jersey is largely driven by international financial services & legal services, which accounted for 53% of total GVA in 2007. Other sectors include construction, retail, agriculture, tourism and order fulfillment, such as internet based selling.

Currency: British Pound (GBP).

Country Inflation: 3.7% (2006 est.).

City: Saint Helier is one of the twelve parishes of Jersey and is the capital of the Island (although Government House is situated in St. Saviour).

City Economy: The urban area of the parish of St. Helier makes up most of the largest town in Jersey.

Cost of Living: Saint Helier 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. Saint Helier is currently ranked 68 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Japan, Tokyo Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 14, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Japan.

Location: Japan is an island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula.

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

Country Terrain: Mostly rugged and mountainous.

Major Languages: Japanese.

Major Religions: Shintoism, Buddhism.

Country Population: 127.7 million (2008 est.) 127.6 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Japan is the second largest in the world, after the United States at around $5 trillion USD in terms of nominal GDP and third after the United States and China when adjusted for purchasing power parity. Banking, insurance, real estate, retailing, transportation, telecommunications and construction are all major industries. Japan has a large industrial capacity and is home to some of the largest, leading and most technologically advanced producers of motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles and processed foods. The service sector accounts for three quarters of the gross domestic product.

Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY).

Country Inflation: 1.4% (2008 est.) -1.1% (2009 est.).

City: Tokyo is the seat of the Japanese government.

City Economy: Tokyo is one of the three world finance command centers, along with New York and London. Tokyo has the largest metropolitan economy in the world. Tokyo is a major international finance center, houses the headquarters of several of the world’s largest investment banks and insurance companies, and serves as a hub for Japan’s transportation, publishing, and broadcasting industries.

Cost of Living: Tokyo 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. Tokyo is currently ranked 1 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Jamaica, Kingston Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 14, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Jamaica.

Location: Jamaica is an island in the Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba.

Country Climate: Tropical; hot, humid; temperate interior.

Country Terrain: Mostly mountains, with narrow, discontinuous coastal plain.

Major Languages: English (official), English patois.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 2.7 million (2008 est.) 2.71 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Jamaica is a mixed economy with both state enterprises and private sector businesses. Major sectors of the Jamaican economy include agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism, and financial and insurance services. Tourism and mining are the leading earners of foreign exchange.

Currency: Jamaican Dollar (JMD).

Country Inflation: 22% (2008 est.) 9.4% (2009 est.).

City: Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica.

City Economy: Kingston, as the capital, is the financial, cultural, economic and industrial centre of Jamaica.

Cost of Living: Kingston 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. Kingston is currently ranked 160 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Italy, Rome Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 14, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Italian Republic.

Location: Italy is in Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia.

Country Climate: Predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in south.

Country Terrain: Mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands.

Major Languages: Italian.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 59.3 million (2008 est.) 59.8 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Italy is the seventh-largest economy in the world and the fourth-largest in Europe, according to the International Monetary Fund. Italy belongs to the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations; it is a member of the European Union and OECD. The country is divided into a developed industrial north dominated by large private companies and an agricultural, state-assisted south.

Currency: Euro (EUR).

Country Inflation: 3.5% (2008 est.) 0.75% (2009 est.).

City: Rome is the largest city and capital of Italy.

City Economy: The economy of Rome is characterized by the absence of heavy industry and is largely dominated by services, high-technology companies (IT, aerospace, defense, telecommunications), research, construction and commercial activities (especially banking), and the huge development of tourism are very dynamic and extremely important to its economy.

Cost of Living: Rome 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. Rome is currently ranked 33 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Italy, Milan Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 14, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Italian Republic.

Location: Italy is in Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia.

Country Climate: Predominantly Mediterranean; Alpine in far north; hot, dry in south.

Country Terrain: Mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands.

Major Languages: Italian.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 59.3 million (2008 est.) 59.8 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Italy is the seventh-largest economy in the world and the fourth-largest in Europe, according to the International Monetary Fund. Italy belongs to the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations; it is a member of the European Union and OECD. The country is divided into a developed industrial north dominated by large private companies and an agricultural, state-assisted south.

Currency: Euro (EUR).

Country Inflation: 3.5% (2008 est.) 0.75% (2009 est.).

City: Milan, is the capital of the region of Lombardia and of the province of Milan.

City Economy: Milan is one of the EU’s and the world’s major financial and business centres. Milan is also regarded as the true current fashion capital of the world.

Cost of Living: Milan 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. Milan is currently ranked 22 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Israel, Jerusalem Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 14, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: State of Israel.

Location: Israel is in the Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon.

Country Climate: Temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas.

Country Terrain: Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan Rift Valley.

Major Languages: Hebrew, Arabic.

Major Religions: Judaism, Islam.

Country Population: 7.1 million (2008 est.) 7.3 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Israel, despite limited natural resources, has seen intensive development of the agricultural and industrial sectors over the past decades which has made Israel largely self-sufficient in food production, apart from grains and beef.

Currency: Israeli New Shekel (ILS).

Country Inflation: 4.6% (2008 est.) 3.6% (2009 est.).

City: Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and its largest city.

City Economy: Historically, Jerusalem’s economy was supported almost exclusively by religious pilgrims, as it was located far from the major ports of Jaffa and Gaza. Jerusalem’s religious landmarks today remain the top draw for foreign visitors, with the majority of tourists visiting the Western Wall and the Old City. The government, centered in Jerusalem, generates a large number of jobs, and offers subsidies and incentives for new business initiatives and start-ups.

Cost of Living: Jerusalem 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. Jerusalem is currently ranked 126 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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