2018 Asia Pacific Expat Cost of Living

Posted on March 7, 2018 by Xpatulator


Hong Kong is the overall most expensive ciy in Asia-Pacific and is the second most expensive city in the world (after Luanda) as at January 2018, mainly due to extremely high housing costs, as well as high cost of schooling and limited space available making rentals high.
Singapore remains the second most expensive city in the Asia-Pacific region for expatriates (3rd most expensive in the world) and tops the region rankings when costs related to housing, education, medical and transport are excluded.
Tokyo is the third most expensive city in Asia-Pacific, and 8th globally. Japanese locations have remained high in the rankings with 5 cities in the Asia-Pacific top 10 most expensive places.
Shanghai is the fourth most expensive place for expatriates in the Asia-Pacific region, and 12th globally.
https://www.xpatulator.com/cost-of-living-article/Asia-Pacific-Expat-Cost-of-Living-Comparison_709.cfm

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International Cost of Living Index for Expats January 2018

Posted on February 24, 2018 by Xpatulator


Luanda in Angola is the most expensive city in the world for expatriate professional migrants to live. As opposed to Hong Kong, everything in Luanda is expensive as almost all international standard goods and services are imported. Despite the lower oil price, the slow-down in oil related projects, and dramatic reduction in revenue to Angola in 2016, prices in Luanda remain extremely high.

Hong Kong is the second most expensive city due to the very high cost of housing and healthcare, as well as the strong Hong Kong dollar which is fixed against the US Dollar. An interesting observation is the fact that if 4 of the 13 baskets are excluded from the cost of living index calculation (namely Housing, Education, Medical and Transport) then Hong Kong drops out of the top 10 most expensive cities in the world. This illustrates that not everything in Hong Kong is expensive. It is therefore very important it is to ensure that the correct baskets are included in an expat cost of living index.
https://www.xpatulator.com/cost-of-living-article/International-City-Cost-of-Living-for-Expatriate-Professional-Migrants_716.cfm

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Middle East Expat Cost of Living 2018

Posted on February 19, 2018 by Xpatulator


Doha in Qatar is the most expensive city for expats in the Middle East as at January 2018, followed by Beirut in Lebanon, and Jerusalem in Israel.

While Doha is the most expensive city in the Middle East, it is only ranked 59th in the world. In Doha alcohol, housing, and education costs are very high.

https://www.xpatulator.com/cost-of-living-article/Middle-East-Expat-Cost-of-Living-Comparison_707.cfm

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Latest International Inflation Rates – February 2018

Posted on February 16, 2018 by Xpatulator


The latest available inflation rate for all countries world wide (as available in 15 February 2018):
Afghanistan 3.1% (Nov 2017).
Albania 1.7% (Jan 2018).
Algeria 4.62% (Dec 2017).
Angola 22.72% (Jan 2018).
Anguilla 3.1% (2014 est).
Antigua and Barbuda 1.4% (2012 est).
Argentina 25% (Jan 2018).
Armenia 2.7% (Jan 2018).
Aruba -0.3% (Dec 2017).
Australia 1.9% (Dec 2017).
Austria 2.2% (Dec 2017).
Azerbaijan 12.9% (Dec 2017).
Bahamas 1.8% (Nov 2017).
Bahrain 1.3% (Dec 2017).
Bangladesh 5.83% (Dec 2017).
Barbados 3.4% (July 2017).
Belarus 4.5% (Jan 2018).
Belgium 1.71% (Jan 2018).
Belize 1% (Dec 2017).
Benin 3% (Dec 2017).
Bermuda 1.7% (Apr 2017).
Bhutan 5.18% (Sept 2017).
Bolivia 2.71% (Dec 2017).
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.2% (Dec 2017).
Botswana 3.1% (Jan 2018).
Brazil 2.86% (Jan 2018).
British Virgin Islands 2% (Nov 2016).
Brunei -0.02% (Dec 2017).
Bulgaria 2.8% (Dec 2017)….

https://www.xpatulator.com/cost-of-living-article/Latest-International-Inflation-Rates_712.cfm

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2018 Most Expensive Countries for Expats

Posted on February 13, 2018 by Xpatulator


January 2018 survey by Xpatulator.com based on expatriate professional migrant spending focusing on “international” brands and premium service providers such as up-market medical practices, international schools, and exclusive, secure accommodation.
The top ten most expensive countries in the world as at January 2018 comprise three from Africa Angola (1); South Sudan (3); Central African Republic (10), three from Europe Norway (2); Switzerland (5); Denmark (7), three from America Bermuda (4); Cayman Islands (6); Bahamas (8), and one from Asia Pacific Japan (9).
The January 2018 top 10 world country cost of living comparison (covering 216 countries) rankings for all expat basket items from most expensive location to least expensive are as follows:
1. Angola (Africa)
2. Norway (Europe)
3. South Sudan (Africa)
4. Bermuda (Americas)
5. Switzerland (Europe)
6. Cayman Islands (Americas)
7. Denmark (Europe)
8. Bahamas (Americas)
9. Japan (Asia-Pacific)
10. Central African Republic
https://www.xpatulator.com/cost-of-living-article/The-Most-Expensive-Countries-in-the-World-for-Expatriate-Professional-Migrants_717.cfm

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Europe Expat Cost of Living January 2018

Posted on January 12, 2018 by Xpatulator


Oslo is Europe’s most expensive and the world’s 4th most expensive city, leapfrogging past Zurich and Geneva.
Zurich and Geneva are ranked as the second and third most expensive expat cities in Europe and the 5th and 6th most expensive cities in the world for expatriates as at January 2018. This is due primarily to the strong Swiss Franc as well as due to high rentals and institutionalized high wages.
An interesting observation is that the most expensive cities in Europe are dominated by Non-Euro countries.
https://www.xpatulator.com/cost-of-living-article/Europe-Expat-Cost-of-Living-Comparison_708.cfm

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International City Cost of Living for Expatriate Professionals – January 2018

Posted on January 11, 2018 by Xpatulator


Top 20 City Rankings as at 1 January 2018 – Overall cost of living Index – All 13 Baskets:

1. Luanda (Angola-Africa)
2. Hong Kong (China-Asia-Pacific)
3. Singapore (Singapore-Asia-Pacific)
4. Oslo (Norway-Europe)
5. Zurich (Switzerland-Europe)
6. Geneva (Switzerland-Europe)
7. Hamilton (Bermuda-Americas)
8. Tokyo (Japan-Asia-Pacific)
9. New York (Manhattan) NY (USA-Americas)
10. Monaco (Monaco-Europe)
11. Bangui (Central African Republic-Africa)
12. Shanghai (China-Asia-Pacific)
13. Sydney (Australia-Asia-Pacific)
14. San Jose CA (USA-Americas)
15. Copenhagen (Denmark-Europe)
16. Yokohama (Japan-Asia-Pacific)
17. George Town (Cayman Islands-Americas)
18. San Francisco CA (USA-Americas)
19. Nassau (the Bahamas-Americas)
20. Osaka (Japan-Asia-Pacific)
https://www.xpatulator.com/cost-of-living-article/International-City-Cost-of-Living-for-Expatriate-Professional-Migrants_716.cfm

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The Most Expensive Countries in the World for Expatriates – January 2018

Posted on January 9, 2018 by Xpatulator


The top ten most expensive countries in the world as at January 2018 comprise three from Africa Angola (1); South Sudan (3); Central African Republic (10), three from Europe Norway (2); Switzerland (5); Denmark (7), three from America Bermuda (4); Cayman Islands (6); Bahamas (8), and one from Asia Pacific Japan (9).

Angola is the most expensive country in the world for expatriate professional migrants mainly because almost all international standard goods and services have to be imported, as a result there are price premiums due to demand constantly exceeding supply.

Norway has long been very expensive and interestingly is the only oil-producing country with high gas prices. High levels of taxation are applied to convince Norwegians to keep their cars at home and use public transportation instead. Almost everything in Norway is expensive compared to other countries. But this is not as much of a challenge for Norwegians as it is for expatriate professional migrants and tourists…
https://www.xpatulator.com/cost-of-living-article/The-Most-Expensive-Countries-in-the-World-for-Expatriate-Professional-Migrants_717.cfm

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Latest International Inflation Rates – October 2017

Posted on October 28, 2017 by Xpatulator


The latest available inflation rate for all countries world wide (as available in October 2017):
Afghanistan 4.5% (Aug 2017).
Albania 25.18% (Sept 2017).
Algeria 1.4% (2012 est).
Angola 24.2% (Sept 2017).
Anguilla 1% (Sept 2017).
Antigua and Barbuda 1.8% (Sept 2017).
Argentina 6.12% (Sept 2017).
Armenia 2.01% (Sept 2017).
Aruba 0.7% (Aug 2017).
Australia 3.1% (Aug 2017).
Austria 1.7% (Apr 2017).
Azerbaijan 5.45% (June 2017).
Bahamas 3.25% (Aug 2017).
Bahrain 2.54% (Sept 2017).
Bangladesh 2.54% (Sept 2017).
Barbados 2.54% (Sept 2017).
Belarus -0.1% (Aug 2017).
Belgium 2.1% (Sept 2017)….
https://www.xpatulator.com/cost-of-living-article/Latest-International-Inflation-Rates_712.cfm

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Africa Expat Cost of Living Comparison – October 2017

Posted on October 17, 2017 by Xpatulator


Luanda is the most expensive city to live in the African region, and world-wide as at October 2017. The extremely costly safe expatriate accommodation, imported produce and costly international private schooling are among the main factors that have kept Launda at the top of the rankings in Africa. A rented house in a guarded community (recommended due to the threat of violent crime) can cost between US$8 000 and US$12 000 per month, international private schooling up to US$40 000 a year and the requirement for either a 4×4 to navigate the roads (which are being improved) or for a driver can be costly.

Bangui in the Central African Republic is the second most expensive city in Africa. The economy of the CAR is dominated by the cultivation and sale of food crops.

Freetown in Sierra Leone is the third most expensive city in Africa. Freetown is particularly expensive for international education and recreation.

Cairo in Egypt is the cheapest African city.
https://www.xpatulator.com/cost-of-living-article/Africa-Expat-Cost-of-Living-Comparison_711.cfm

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