Cote DIvoire, Abidjan Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 6, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: The Republic of Ivory Coast.

Location: Cote D’Ivoire is in Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia.

Country Climate: Tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons – warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June to October).

Country Terrain: Mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwest.

Major Languages: French, Indigenous languages.

Major Religions: Islam, Christianity, indigenous beliefs.

Country Population: 20.8 million (2008 est.) 21.4 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The Ivorian economy is largely market based and depends heavily on the agricultural sector. Almost 70% of the Ivorian people are engaged in some form of agricultural activity.

Currency: CFA Franc (XOF).

Country Inflation: 6.3% (2008 est.) 5.9% (2009 est.).

City: Abidjan is the economic and former official capital of Cote D’Ivoire as well as the largest city.

City Economy: Abidjan is characterized by high industrialization and urbanization. Major industries include food processing, lumber, automobile manufacturing, and the manufacture of textiles, chemicals, and soap.

Cost of Living: Abidjan 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. Abidjan is currently ranked 96 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Costa Rica, San Jose Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 6, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of Costa Rica.

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

Country Climate: Tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands.

Country Terrain: Coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major volcanoes.

Major Languages: Spanish (official), English.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 4.5 million (2008 est.) 4.6 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Costa Rica heavily depends on tourism, agriculture, and electronics exports. Poverty has been reduced over the past 15 years, and a social safety net put into place.

Currency: Costa Rican Colon (CRC).

Country Inflation: 13.4% (2008 est.) 8.4% (2009 est.).

City: San Jose is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica.

City Economy: San Jose is the seat of national government, the focal point of political and economic activity, and the major transportation hub of Costa Rica.

Cost of Living: San Jose 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. San Jose is currently ranked 234 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Congo Democratic Rep, Kinshasa Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 6, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Location: The Democratic Republic of the Congo is in Central Africa, northeast of Angola.

Country Climate: Tropical; hot and humid in equatorial river basin; cooler and drier in southern highlands; cooler and wetter in eastern highlands; north of Equator – wet season (April to October), dry season (December to February); south of Equator – wet season (November to March), dry season (April to October).

Country Terrain: Vast central basin is a low-lying plateau; mountains in east.

Major Languages: French, Lingala, Kiswahili, Kikongo, Tshiluba.

Major Religions: Christianity, Islam.

Country Population: 62.9 million (2008 est.) 64.8 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has vast potential due to it’s natural resources and mineral wealth, yet the economy of the DRC has declined drastically since the mid-1980s.

Currency: Congolese Franc (CDF).

Country Inflation: 18.0% (2008 est.) 39.2% (2009 est.).

City: Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

City Economy: Kinshasa ties with Johannesburg for the status of the second largest city in sub-Saharan Africa and the third largest in the whole continent after Lagos and Cairo. Because the administrative boundaries cover such a vast area, over 60% of the city’s land is rural in nature, and the urban area only occupies a small section in the far western end of the province.

Cost of Living: Kinshasa 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. Kinshasa is currently ranked 239 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Congo, Brazzaville Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 6, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of the Congo.

Location: The Republic of the Congo is in Western Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon.

Country Climate: Tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator.

Country Terrain: Coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin.

Major Languages: French, indigenous African languages.

Major Religions: Christianity, indigenous African beliefs.

Country Population: 3.65 million (2008 est.) 3.76 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of the Republic of the Congo is a mixture of village agriculture and handicrafts, an industrial sector based largely on petroleum extraction, support services, and a government characterized by budget problems and overstaffing. The Congo’s growing petroleum sector is by far the country’s major revenue earner.

Currency: CFA Franc (XAF).

Country Inflation: 6.0% (2008 est.) 6.9% (2009 est.).

City: Brazzaville is the capital and largest city of the Republic of the Congo.

City Economy: Over a third of the population of the Republic of Congo lives in the capital, and it is home to 40% of non-agricultural employment. It is also a financial and administrative capital. Industries present in Brazzaville include: machine shops, textiles, tanning, and manufacturing. As a key port on the Congo River, the city takes deliveries of raw materials, such as: rubber, wood and agricultural products. From here they are generally sent onward to Pointe-Noire for export.

Cost of Living: Brazzaville 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. Brazzaville is currently ranked 56 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Comores, Moroni Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 6, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: The Union of the Comoros.

Location: The Comores is in Southern Africa. A group of islands at the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique.

Country Climate: Tropical marine; rainy season (November to May).

Country Terrain: Volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills.

Major Languages: Arabic, French, Comoran (a blend of Swahili and Arabic).

Major Religions: Islam.

Country Population: 0.652 million (2008 est.) 0.666 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Comores with an estimated gross domestic product (GDP) per capita income of about $700, is among the world’s poorest and least developed nations. Comoros is made up of three islands that have inadequate transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance.

Currency: Comoros Franc (KMF).

Country Inflation: 4.8% (2008 est.) 4.9% (2009 est.).

City: Moroni is the capital and largest city of the Comoros.

City Economy: Moroni has many excellent beaches. Exports include vanilla, cocoa, and coffee.

Cost of Living: Moroni 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. Moroni is currently ranked 40 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Colombia, Bogota Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 6, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of Colombia.

Location: Colombia is in Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama.

Country Climate: Tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands.

Country Terrain: Flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains.

Major Languages: Spanish.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 48.3 million (2008 est.) 49.0 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Colombia is that of a free market economy with major commercial and investment ties to the United Nations. Transition from a highly regulated economy has been underway for more than a decade.

Currency: Colombian Peso (COP).

Country Inflation: 7.0% (2008 est.) 4.6% (2009 est.).

City: Bogota is the capital city of Colombia.

City Economy: Bogota is Colombia’s largest economic center and most companies in Colombia have their headquarters in the city. Bogota is also a major center for the import and export of goods for Colombia and the Andean Community in Latin America.

Cost of Living: Bogota 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. Bogota is currently ranked 91 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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China, Wuhan Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 6, 2010 by Xpatulator

est.) 1334.3 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of the People’s Republic of China is a rapidly developing and influential market economy. China is the one of the worlds largest economies. China has had the fastest-growing major economy for the past 30 years with an average annual GDP growth rate above 10%. China’s per capita income has likewise grown at an average annual rate of more than 8% over the last three decades drastically reducing poverty.

Currency: Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY).

Country Inflation: 5.9% (2008 est.) -0.05% (2009 est.).

City: Wuhan is the capital of Hubei province, People’s Republic of China, and is the most populous city in central China.

City Economy: Wuhan is an important center for economy, trade, finance, transportation, information technology, and education in Central China. Its major industries includes optic-electronic, automobile manufacturing, steel manufacturing, new pharmaceutical sector, biology engineering, new materials industry and environmental protection. Wuhan has over one third of French investment in China, the most among Chinese cities.

Cost of Living: Wuhan 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. Wuhan is currently ranked 250 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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China, Tianjin Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 6, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: People’s Republic of China.

Location: China is in Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam.

Country Climate: Extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north.

Country Terrain: Mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and hills in east.

Major Languages: Mandarin Chinese.

Major Religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism.

Country Population: 1327.7 million (2008 est.) 1334.3 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of the People’s Republic of China is a rapidly developing and influential market economy. China is the one of the worlds largest economies. China has had the fastest-growing major economy for the past 30 years with an average annual GDP growth rate above 10%. China’s per capita income has likewise grown at an average annual rate of more than 8% over the last three decades drastically reducing poverty.

Currency: Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY).

Country Inflation: 5.9% (2008 est.) -0.05% (2009 est.).

City: Tianjin is the sixth largest city of the People’s Republic of China in terms of urban population. Administratively it is one of the four municipalities that have provincial-level status, reporting directly to the central government. Also, its urban land area is the fifth largest in China, ranked only after Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

City Economy: Manufacturing is the largest (60.1%) and fastest-growing (18.2%) sector of Tianjin’s economy. Farmland takes up about 40% of Tianjin Municipality’s total area. Wheat, rice, and maize are the most important crops. Fishing is important along the coast. Tianjin is also an important industrial base. Major industries include petrochemical industries, textiles, car manufacturing, mechanical industries, and metalworking.

Cost of Living: Tianjin 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. Tianjin is currently ranked 281 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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China, Shenzhen Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 5, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: People’s Republic of China.

Location: China is in Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam.

Country Climate: Extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north.

Country Terrain: Mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and hills in east.

Major Languages: Mandarin Chinese.

Major Religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism.

Country Population: 1327.7 million (2008 est.) 1334.3 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of the People’s Republic of China is a rapidly developing and influential market economy. China is the one of the worlds largest economies. China has had the fastest-growing major economy for the past 30 years with an average annual GDP growth rate above 10%. China’s per capita income has likewise grown at an average annual rate of more than 8% over the last three decades drastically reducing poverty.

Currency: Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY).

Country Inflation: 5.9% (2008 est.) -0.05% (2009 est.).

City: Shenzhen is a city of sub-provincial administrative status in southern China’s Guangdong province, situated immediately north of Hong Kong.

City Economy: Shenzhen is a major manufacturing centre in China and is home to some of China’s most successful high-tech companies. Shenzhen’s economic output is ranked fourth among Chinese cities after Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Cost of Living: Shenzhen 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. Shenzhen is currently ranked 249 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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China, Shanghai Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 5, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: People’s Republic of China.

Location: China is in Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam.

Country Climate: Extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north.

Country Terrain: Mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and hills in east.

Major Languages: Mandarin Chinese.

Major Religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism.

Country Population: 1327.7 million (2008 est.) 1334.3 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of the People’s Republic of China is a rapidly developing and influential market economy. China is the one of the worlds largest economies. China has had the fastest-growing major economy for the past 30 years with an average annual GDP growth rate above 10%. China’s per capita income has likewise grown at an average annual rate of more than 8% over the last three decades drastically reducing poverty.

Currency: Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY).

Country Inflation: 5.9% (2008 est.) -0.05% (2009 est.).

City: Shanghai is the largest city in China, and one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. Located on China’s central eastern coast at the mouth of the Yangtze River, the city is administered as a municipality of the People’s Republic of China with province-level status.

City Economy: Shanghai is often regarded as the center of finance and trade in mainland China. Shanghai also hosts the largest share market in mainland China.

Cost of Living: Shanghai 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. Shanghai is currently ranked 136 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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