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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India, New Delhi Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 13, 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: New Delhi is the capital of India.

City Economy: New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi and serves as the seat of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Government and quasi government sector is the primary employer in New Delhi. The city’s service sector has expanded due in part to the large skilled English-speaking workforce that has attracted many multinational companies. Key service industries include information technology, telecommunications, hotels, banking, media and tourism.

Cost of Living: New Delhi 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. New Delhi is currently ranked 146 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Ireland, Dublin Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 12, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Ireland.

Location: Ireland is in Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain.

Country Climate: Temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time.

Country Terrain: Mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast.

Major Languages: English, Irish.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 4.4 million (2008 est.) 4.4 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Ireland has transformed in recent years from an agricultural focus to a modern knowledge economy, focusing on services and high-tech industries and dependent on trade, industry and investment. Economic growth in Ireland averaged a (relatively high) 10% from 1995?2000, and 7% from 2001?2004. Industry, which accounts for 46% of GDP, about 80% of exports, and 29% of the labour force, now takes the place of agriculture as the country’s leading sector.

Currency: Euro (EUR).

Country Inflation: 3.1% (2008 est.) -1.6% (2009 est.).

City: Dublin is the largest city and capital of Ireland.

City Economy: The Economy of Dublin is centralised in the capital city of Ireland. As such, Dublin is the largest city and the country’s main economic hub. Most government agencies and the machinery of government including the parliament are based there. Dublin is the focal point of Irish media and culture, the countries transportation networks are centred upon the city.

Cost of Living: Dublin 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. Dublin is currently ranked 39 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Iraq, Baghdad Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 12, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of Iraq.

Location: Iraq is in the Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait.

Country Climate: Mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq.

Country Terrain: Mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey.

Major Languages: Arabic, Kurdish.

Major Religions: Islam.

Country Population: 30.4 million (2008 est.) 31.2 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Iraq is dominated by the oil sector, which has traditionally provided about 95% of foreign exchange earnings. There have been attempts by the international community to improve and repair the infrastructure of Iraq in the aftermath of the 2003 invasion, when much was destroyed.

Currency: Iraqi Dinar (IQD).

Country Inflation: 2.7% (2008 est.) 6.9% (2009 est.).

City: Baghdad is the capital of Iraq.

City Economy: Efforts have been devoted to the restoration and repair of badly damaged urban infrastructure.

Cost of Living: Baghdad 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. Baghdad is currently ranked 266 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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