Expatriate International Cost of Living

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.

For more cost of living information on Brazil, Brasilia

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.

For more cost of living information on Botswana, Gaborone

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.

For more cost of living information on Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo

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.

For more cost of living information on Bermuda, Hamilton

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.

For more cost of living information on Bolivia, La Paz

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.

For more cost of living information Bhutan, Thimphu

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.

For more cost of living information on Benin, Cotonou

Internationally comparable cost of living data is crucial to forming sustainable expatriate pay policies and monitoring progress.  Market exchange rates give misleading comparisons because they do not reflect salary purchasing power differences. Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) accounts for price differences between countries and so measures real quantities.

The purpose of an expatriate pay program is to maintain employee spending power and standard of living irrespective of global location. Salary Purchasing Power Parity (SPPP) is the amount of salary that equalizes the purchasing power of different currencies given the relative cost of the same basket of goods (cost of living) at the exchange rate versus one US Dollar.  This means that a given salary, when converted into different currencies at the SPPP rates, will buy the same basket of goods and services in all countries.

Currency exchange rates are highly volatile as they are based on short-term factors and are subject to substantial distortions from speculative movements, economic outlook and government interventions. Currency exchange rates, on their own, do not in our view reflect cost of living changes in the short-term. Exchange rates, even when averaged over a period of time such as a year, are not a good measure of the comparative value of a salary in relation to its comparative international purchasing power. In the short to medium term at least, apparent changes in the comparative level of remuneration between one country and another may be principally a function of changes in the exchange rate as opposed to cost of living.

The basket of goods and services used in SPPP calculations is derived on an International basis and includes certain items often excluded from expatriate cost of living data (most notably housing costs), however any or all of the 13 basket groups can be included or excluded from a calculation.  SPPP’s provide a reasonably good picture of the differences in standards of living for individual’s resident and paid in different countries.

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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.

For more cost of living information on Belize, Belmopan

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.

For more information on Belgium, Brussels Cost of Living

Belgium, Brussels Cost of Living