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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China, Macao Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 5, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: People’s Republic of China. Macau Status: Semi-autonomous, special administrative region 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: Chinese (mainly Cantonese), Portuguese (both official).

Major Religions: Buddhism, Christianity.

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

Country Economy: The economy of Macao is characterised by the policy of one country, two systems, by which the Central People’s Government is responsible for Macao’s defense and foreign affairs, while Macao maintains its own legal system, police force, monetary system, customs policy, immigration policy, and delegates to international organisations and events. The territory has thriving industries such as textiles, electronics and toys, and a notable tourist industry. This makes it one of the richest cities in the world.

Currency: Macau Pataca (MOP).

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

City: The Macao Special Administrative Region is one of the two special administrative regions of the People’s Republic of China, the other being Hong Kong.

City Economy: Macao’s economy is based largely on tourism, much of it geared toward gambling. Other chief economic activities in Macau are export-geared textile and garment manufacturing, banking and other financial services. The clothing industry has provided about three quarters of export earnings, and the gaming, tourism and hospitality industry is estimated to contribute more than 50% of Macau’s GDP, and 70% of Macau government revenue.

Cost of Living: Macao 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. Macao is currently ranked 257 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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China, Hong Kong Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 5, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: People’s Republic of China. Hong Kong Status: Semi-autonomous, special administrative region 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: Chinese (mainly Cantonese), English (both official).

Major Religions: Buddhism, Taoism.

Country Population: 7.0 million (2008 est.) 7.1 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Hong Kong is characterised by the principle of one country, two systems, whereby Hong Kong runs on economic and political systems different from those of mainland China. Hong Kong is one of the world’s leading international financial centres, with a major capitalist service economy characterized by low taxation, free trade and minimum government intervention under the ethos of positive non-interventionism.

Currency: Hong Kong Dollar(HKD).

Country Inflation: 4.3% (2008 est.) -1.0% (2009 est.).

City: Hong Kong is a special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China.

City Economy: Hong Kong’s highly favorable geographical position and trading opportunities are wealth-generating assets.

Cost of Living: Hong Kong 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. Hong Kong is currently ranked 8 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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China, Guangzhou 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: Guangzhou is a sub-provincial city and the capital of Guangdong Province in the southern part of the People’s Republic of China.

City Economy: Guangzhou is the main manufacturing hub of the Pearl River Delta, one of mainland China’s leading commercial and manufacturing regions. Guangzhou’s economic output is ranked third among Chinese cities after Beijing and Shanghai.

Cost of Living: Guangzhou 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. Guangzhou is currently ranked 272 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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