Burundi, Bujumbura Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 1, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of Burundi.

Location: Burundi is in Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Country Climate: Equatorial; high plateau with considerable altitude variation (772 m to 2,670 m above sea level); average annual temperature varies with altitude from 23 to 17 degrees centigrade but is generally moderate as the average altitude is about 1,700 m; average annual rainfall is about 150 cm; two wet seasons (February to May and September to November), and two dry seasons (June to August and December to January).

Country Terrain: Hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains.

Major Languages: Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili.

Major Religions: Christianity, indigenous beliefs.

Country Population: 7.9 million (2008 est.) 8.1 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Burundi is one of the poorest in the world, owing in part to its landlocked geography, poor legal system, lack of access to education, and the proliferation of HIV/AIDS. Approximately 80% of Burundi’s population lives in poverty.

Currency: Burundi Franc (BIF).

Country Inflation: 24.4% (2008 est.) 12.9% (2009 est.).

City: Bujumbura is the capital city and main port of Burundi.

City Economy: Bujumbura’s port ships most of the country’s chief export, coffee, as well as cotton, skins, and tin ore.

Cost of Living: Bujumbura 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. Bujumbura is currently ranked 248 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 1, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Burkina Faso.

Location: Burkina Faso is in Western Africa, north of Ghana.

Country Climate: Tropical; warm, dry winters; hot, wet summers.

Country Terrain: Mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in west and southeast.

Major Languages: French, indigenous languages.

Major Religions: Indigenous beliefs, Islam, Christianity.

Country Population: 14.0 million (2008 est.) 14.4 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Burkina Faso is one of the poorest in the world. More than 80 percent of the population relies on subsistence agriculture, with only a small fraction directly involved in industry and services.

Currency: CFA Franc (XOF).

Country Inflation: 10.7% (2008 est.) 3.8% (2009 est.).

City: Ouagadougou is the capital of Burkina Faso and the administrative, communications, cultural and economic center of the nation. It is also the country’s largest city.

City Economy: Ouagadougou’s primary industries are food processing and textiles.

Cost of Living: Ouagadougou 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. Ouagadougou is currently ranked 90 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Bulgaria, Sofia Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 1, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of Bulgaria.

Location: Bulgaria is in South Eastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey.

Country Climate: Temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers.

Country Terrain: Mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast.

Major Languages: Bulgarian.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 7.6 million (2008 est.) 7.6 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Bulgaria is an industrialised, open free market economy, with a large, moderately advanced private sector and a number of strategic state-owned enterprises.

Currency: Bulgarian Lev (BGN).

Country Inflation: 12.0% (2008 est.) 2.7% (2009 est.).

City: Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria.

City Economy: Sofia is the major economic center of Bulgaria and home to most major Bulgarian and international companies operating in Bulgaria. Sofia is also the country’s financial hub.

Cost of Living: Sofia 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. Sofia is currently ranked 200 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 1, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Sultanate of Brunei.

Location: Brunei is in Southeastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia.

Country Climate: Tropical; hot, humid, rainy.

Country Terrain: Flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west.

Major Languages: Malay, English, Chinese.

Major Religions: Islam, Buddhism, Christianity.

Country Population: 0.393 million (2008 est.) 0.401 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Brunei is small but wealthy with a mixture of foreign and domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for nearly half of its GDP. Substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic production.

Currency: Brunei Dollar (BND).

Country Inflation: 2.7% (2008 est.) 1.2% (2009 est.).

City: Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital and largest city of the Sultanate of Brunei.

City Economy: The city produces furniture, textiles, handicrafts, and timber.

Cost of Living: Bandar Seri Begawan 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. Bandar Seri Begawan is currently ranked 215 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Brazil, Brasilia Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on May 31, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Federative Republic of Brazil.

Location: Brazil is in Eastern South America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean.

Country Climate: Mostly tropical, but temperate in south.

Country Terrain: Mostly flat to rolling lowlands in north; some plains, hills, mountains, and narrow coastal belt.

Major Languages: Portuguese.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 189.6 million (2008 est.) 191.5 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Brazil is a federal economy . Brazil is the ninth largest economy in the world and the second largest in the Americas, after the United States.

Currency: Brazilian Real (BRL).

Country Inflation: 5.7% (2008 est.) 4.8% (2009 est.).

City: Brasília is the capital of Brazil.

City Economy: The major roles of construction and of services (government, communications, banking and finance, food production, entertainment, and legal services) in Brasília’s economy reflect the city’s status as a governmental rather than an industrial centre.

Cost of Living: Brasilia 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. Brasilia is currently ranked 3 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Botswana, Gaborone Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on May 31, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: The Republic of Botswana.

Location: Botswana is in Southern Africa, north of South Africa.

Country Climate: Semiarid; warm winters and hot summers.

Country Terrain: Predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest.

Major Languages: English (official), Setswana.

Major Religions: Christianity, indigenous beliefs.

Country Population: 1.8 million (2008 est.) 1.8 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Botswana is that of a rapidly developing market economy. Being closely tied with the economy of South Africa, the country’s economy is one of the most successful in Africa and is dominated by the fast-growing service sector, world-renowned diamond industry, tourism, and manufacturing.

Currency: Botswana Pula (BWP).

Country Inflation: 12.6% (2008 est.) 8.4% (2009 est.).

City: Gaborone, is the capital and largest city of Botswana.

City Economy: Gaborone is the center of the national economy. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has its headquarters in Gaborone.

Cost of Living: Gaborone 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. Gaborone is currently ranked 161 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on May 31, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Bosnia and Hercegovina.

Location: Bosnia and Herzegovina are in South Eastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Croatia.

Country Climate: Hot summers and cold winters; areas of high elevation have short, cool summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along coast.

Country Terrain: Mountains and valleys.

Major Languages: Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian.

Major Religions: Christianity, Islam.

Country Population: 4.0 million (2008 est.) 4.0 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The eceonomy of Bosnia and Herzegovina faces the dual problem of rebuilding a war-torn country and introducing market reforms to its formerly centrally-planned economy. Although agriculture is almost all in private hands, farms are generally small and inefficient, and the republic traditionally is a net importer of food. Industry is mostly overstaffed, a holdover from the socialist economic structure of Yugoslavia.

Currency: Bosnian Mark (BAM).

Country Inflation: 7.4% (2008 est.) 0.9% (2009 est.).

City: Sarajevo is the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

City Economy: The economy of Sarajevo has been subject to reconstruction and rehabilitation programs after years of war. Amongst other economic landmarks, the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina opened in Sarajevo in 1997 and the Sarajevo Stock Exchange began trading in 2002. The city’s large manufacturing, administration, and tourism base, combined with a large informal market, makes it one of the strongest economic regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Cost of Living: Sarajevo 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. Sarajevo is currently ranked 260 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Bolivia, La Paz Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on May 31, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of Bolivia.

Location: Bolivia is in Central South America, southwest of Brazil.

Country Climate: Varies with altitude; humid and tropical to cold and semiarid.

Country Terrain: Rugged Andes Mountains with a highland plateau (Altiplano), hills, lowland plains of the Amazon Basin.

Major Languages: Spanish, Quechua, Aymara, Guarani.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 10.0 million (2008 est.) 10.2 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Bolivia is characterised by the lowest GDP per capita in South America. However, the country is rich in natural resources and has the second largest natural gas reserves in South America. Bolivia is also estimated to have 50%-70% of the worlds lithium.

Currency: Bolivian Boliviano (BOB).

Country Inflation: 14.0% (2008 est.) 4.3% (2009 est.).

City: La Paz is the administrative capital of Bolivia.

City Economy: The economy of La Paz has improved greatly in recent years. Due to the long period of high inflation and economic struggle faced by Bolivians in the 1980s and early 1990s, a large Informal Economy developed.

Cost of Living: La Paz 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. La Paz is currently ranked 270 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Bermuda, Hamilton Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on May 30, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Bermuda.

Location: Bermuda is in North America, it is a group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of South Carolina (US).

Country Climate: Subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter.

Country Terrain: Low hills separated by fertile depressions.

Major Languages: English, Portuguese.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 0.067 million (2008 est.) 0.068 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Bermuda is very affluent and has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, having successfully exploited its location by providing financial services for international firms and luxury tourist facilities .

Currency: Bermudian Dollar (BMD).

Country Inflation: 2.8% (2008 est.) 2.8% (2009 est.).

City: Hamilton is located on the north side of Hamilton Harbour, and is Bermuda’s main port. Although there is a parish of the same name, the city of Hamilton is in the parish of Pembroke.

City Economy: Finance and international business now constitute the largest sector of Bermuda’s economy, and virtually all of this business takes place within the borders of Hamilton.

Cost of Living: Hamilton 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. Hamilton is currently ranked 19 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Bhutan, Thimphu Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on May 30, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Kingdom of Bhutan.

Location: Bhutan is in Southern Asia, between China and India.

Country Climate: Varies; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valleys; severe winters and cool summers in Himalayas.

Country Terrain: Mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna.

Major Languages: Dzongkha (official).

Major Religions: Buddhism (official), Hinduism.

Country Population: 0.657 million (2008 est.) 0.664 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Bhutan is based on agriculture, forestry, tourism and the sale of hydroelectric power to India. Agriculture provides the main livelihood for more than 80 percent of the population. Agrarian practices consist largely of subsistence farming and animal husbandry.

Currency: Bhutan Ngultrum (BTN).

Country Inflation: 8.4% (2008 est.) 7.0% (2009 est.).

City: Thimphu is the capital and largest city of Bhutan.

City Economy: Thimphu became a town in 1961 and grew as the capital of Bhutan. Before 1960, Thimphu was a small settlement but was developed by the King Jigme Dorje Wangchuk to replace the ancient capital of Punakha. Rapid expansion following the pattern of rural exodus has resulted in considerable rebuilding in the city centre and mushrooming suburban development elsewhere.

Cost of Living: Thimphu 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. Thimphu is currently ranked 278 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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