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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Benin, Cotonou Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on May 30, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: The Republic of Benin.

Location: Benin is in Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo.

Country Climate: Tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north.

Country Terrain: Mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains.

Major Languages: French (official) Fon, Ge, Bariba, Yoruba, Dendi.

Major Religions: Indigenous beliefs, Christianity, Islam.

Country Population: 8.1 million (2008 est.) 8.4 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Cotton accounts for 40% of GDP and roughly 80% of official export receipts.

Currency: CFA Franc (XOF).

Country Inflation: 8.0% (2008 est.) 4.0% (2009 est.).

City: Cotonou is the economic capital of Benin, as well as its largest city.

City Economy: Cotonou is Benin’s largest city and houses many of its government and diplomatic services. The city is a major port, and is also home to an airport and a railway that links to Parakou.

Cost of Living: Cotonou 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. Cotonou is currently ranked 104 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Belize, Belmopan Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on May 30, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Belize.

Location: Belize is in Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Mexico.

Country Climate: Tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May).

Country Terrain: Flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south.

Major Languages: English (official), Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna (Carib), Creole.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 0.32 million (2008 est.) 0.33 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Belize is small and essentially private enterprise economy that is based primarily on agriculture, agro-based industry, and merchandising, with tourism and construction recently assuming greater importance.

Currency: Belize Dollar (BZD).

Country Inflation: 6.4% (2008 est.) 2.7% (2009 est.).

City: Belmopan is the capital of Belize.

City Economy: Belmopan is the seat of government. As a result many of its inhabitants work for the national government in various administrative or technical roles. Belmopan currently has business establishments, international banks, several local financial institutions, a modern bus terminal and market complex.

Cost of Living: Belmopan 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. Belmopan is currently ranked 243 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Belgium, Brussels Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on May 29, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Kingdom of Belgium.

Location: Belgium is in Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands.

Country Climate: Temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy.

Country Terrain: Flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast.

Major Languages: Dutch (local variant called Flemish), French, German.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 10.7 million (2008 est.) 10.7 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Belgium is a modern, private enterprise economy that has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base.

Currency: Euro (EUR).

Country Inflation: 4.5% (2008 est.) 0.15% (2009 est.).

City: Brussels is the de facto capital city of the European Union (EU) and the largest urban area in Belgium.

City Economy: Serving as the centre of administration for Europe, Brussels’ economy is largely service-oriented. It is dominated by regional and world headquarters of multinationals, by European institutions, by various administrations, and by related services, though it does have a number of notable craft industries, such as the Cantillon Brewery, a lambic brewery founded in 1900.

Cost of Living: Brussels 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. Brussels is currently ranked 44 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Belarus, Minsk Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on May 29, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Belarus.

Location: Belarus is in Eastern Europe, east of Poland.

Country Climate: Cold winters, cool and moist summers; transitional between continental and maritime.

Country Terrain: Generally flat and contains much marshland.

Major Languages: Russian, Belarussian (both official).

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 9.7 million (2008 est.) 9.6 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The Belarusian economy remains largely state-controlled. Thus approximately half of Belarusians are employed by state-controlled companies. The country relies on imports such as oil from Russia. Important agricultural products include potatoes and cattle byproducts, including meat. As of 1994, the biggest exports from Belarus were heavy machinery (especially tractors), agricultural products, and energy products.

Currency: Belarusian Ruble (BYR).

Country Inflation: 14.8% (2008 est.) 13.0% (2009 est.).

City: Minsk is the capital and largest city in Belarus.

City Economy: Minsk is the economic capital of Belarus. It has developed industrial and services sectors.

Cost of Living: Minsk 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. Minsk is currently ranked 214 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Barbados, Bridgetown Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on May 29, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Barbados.

Location: Barbados is a Caribbean, island in the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Venezuela.

Country Climate: Tropical; rainy season (June to October).

Country Terrain: Relatively flat; rises gently to central highland region.

Major Languages: English (Bajan, an English-African dialect, is widely used).

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 0.276 million (2008 est.) 0.276 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Barbados has transformed itself from a low-income economy dependent upon sugar production, into an upper-middle-income economy based on tourism and the offshore sector.

Currency: Barbados Dollar (BBD).

Country Inflation: 8.1% (2008 est.) 3.5% (2009 est.).

City: The City of Bridgetown is the capital and largest city of the nation of Barbados.

City Economy: Bridgetown is a major West Indies tourist destination, and the city acts as an important financial, informatics and convention centre in the Caribbean region.

Cost of Living: Bridgetown 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. Bridgetown is currently ranked 124 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Bangladesh, Dhaka Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on May 28, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

Location: Bangladesh is in Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India.

Country Climate: Tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October).

Country Terrain: Mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast.

Major Languages: Bengali.

Major Religions: Islam, Hinduism.

Country Population: 161.7 million (2008 est.) 164.7 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Bangladesh remains a developing nation despite continuous domestic and international efforts to improve its economic and demographic prospects. Its per capita income in 2008 was US$520 compared to the world average of $10,200. Bangladesh grows very significant quantities of rice (chal), tea (Cha) and mustard. Although two-thirds of Bangladeshis are farmers, more than three quarters of Bangladesh?s export earnings come from the garment industry. A large part of foreign currency earnings also comes from the remittances sent by expatriates living in other countries.

Currency: Bangladeshi Taka (BDT).

Country Inflation: 7.7% (2008 est.) 5.3% (2009 est.).

City: Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka District.

City Economy: Dhaka is the commercial heart of Bangladesh. The city has a growing middle class population, driving the market for modern consumer and luxury goods. The city has historically attracted a large number of migrant workers.

Cost of Living: Dhaka 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. Dhaka is currently ranked 253 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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