Zimbabwe, Harare Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 26, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of Zimbabwe.

Location: Zimbabwe is in Southern Africa, between South Africa and Zambia.

Country Climate: Tropical; moderated by altitude; rainy season (November to March).

Country Terrain: Mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veld); mountains in east.

Major Languages: English (official), Shona, Sindebele.

Major Religions: Christianity, indigenous beliefs.

Country Population: 11.7 million (2008 est.) 11.7 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Zimbabwe has reserves of metallurgical-grade chromite and commercial mineral deposits include coal, asbestos, copper, nickel, gold, platinum and iron ore. However internal upheaval, population displacement, poverty, 94% unemployment and years of hyperinflation have negatively impacted the economy. The Zimbabwe dollar was abandoned in April 2009 when the US Dollar became legal tender, there is some evidence to suggest that this has helped slow the economic decline somewhat, however extreme hardship persists for majority of citizens.

Currency: US Dollar (USD).

Country Inflation: 156% (2008 est.) 9% (2009 est.).

City: Harare is the capital of Zimbabwe and largest city and its administrative, commercial, and communications centre.

City Economy: Harare is a trade centre for tobacco, maize, cotton, and citrus fruits. Manufactures include textiles, steel, and chemicals, and gold is mined in the area.

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

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Zambia, Lusaka Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 26, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of Zambia.

Location: Zambia is in Southern Africa, east of Angola.

Country Climate: Tropical; modified by altitude; rainy season (October to April).

Country Terrain: Mostly high plateau with some hills and mountains.

Major Languages: English (official), Bemba, Lozi, Nyanja, Tonga.

Major Religions: Christianity, indigenous beliefs, Hinduism, Islam.

Country Population: 11.7 million (2008 est.) 12 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The Zambian economy has historically been based on the copper mining industry. Output of copper had declined over a period of 30 years due to lack of investment, low copper prices, and uncertainty over privatisation. However following privatisation of the industry, copper production has rebounded. The Zambian government is pursuing an economic diversification programme to reduce the economy’s reliance on the copper industry.

Currency: Zambian Kwacha (ZMK).

Country Inflation: 12.4% (2008 est.) 14% (2009 est.).

City: Lusaka is the capital and largest city of Zambia.

City Economy: Lusaka is a commercial centre as well as centre of government, and the four main highways of Zambia radiate north, south, east and west from it.

Cost of Living: Lusaka 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. Lusaka is currently ranked 131 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Yemen, Sanaa Tex Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 26, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of Yemen.

Location: Yemen is in the Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea, between Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Country Climate: Mostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate in western mountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily hot, dry, harsh desert in east.

Country Terrain: Narrow coastal plain backed by flat-topped hills and rugged mountains; dissected upland desert plains in center slope into the desert interior of the Arabian Peninsula.

Major Languages: Arabic.

Major Religions: Islam.

Country Population: 23 million (2008 est.) 23.7 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: Agriculture is the mainstay of Yemen?s economy, generating more than 20 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Yemen is a small oil producer. Yemen?s industrial sector constitutes almost half of gross domestic product. Together with services, construction, and commerce, industry accounts for less than 25 percent of the labor force. The largest contributor to the manufacturing sector?s output is oil refining, which generates almost half of total revenue. The Yemen government expects LNG to add substantially to its budget and enable it to develop a petrochemicals industry.

Currency: Yemeni Rial (YER).

Country Inflation: 19% (2008 est.) 8.4% (2009 est.).

City: Sanaa is the capital and largest city of Yemen.

City Economy: Sanaa International Airport is Yemen’s main domestic and international airport. Al Madina, a commercial area of the old city, is where development is proceeding rapidly.

Cost of Living: Sanaa 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. Sanaa is currently ranked 280 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Vietnam, Hanoi Tex Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 26, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Location: Vietnam is in South Eastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea, alongside China, Laos, and Cambodia.

Country Climate: Tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (May to September) and warm, dry season (October to March).

Country Terrain: Low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands; hilly, mountainous in far north and northwest.

Major Languages: Vietnamese.

Major Religions: Buddhism.

Country Population: 86.2 million (2008 est.) 87.2 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Vietnam is a developing mixed economy. Over the past 20 years, Vietnam has made a shift from a centrally planned economy to a Socialist-oriented market economy. The economy has experienced rapid growth. Vietnam is in transition from a planned economy to a market-oriented mixed economy.

Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND).

Country Inflation: 23.1% (2008 est.) 7% (2009 est.).

City: Hanoi is the capital and second-largest city of Vietnam.

City Economy: Industrial production in the city has experienced a rapid boom since the 1990s in addition tourism, finance, and banking now play an increasingly important role.

Cost of Living: Hanoi 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. Hanoi is currently ranked 226 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Venezuela, Caracas Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 26, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Location: Venezuela is in Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana.

Country Climate: Tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands.

Country Terrain: Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast.

Major Languages: Spanish, indigenous languages.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 28.1 million (2008 est.) 28.6 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Venezuela is dominated by the petroleum sector accounting for roughly a third of GDP, around 80% of exports and more than half of government revenues. Gold, diamonds and iron ore are mined as well. Venezuela contains some of the largest oil and natural gas reserves in the world. It consistently ranks among the top ten crude oil producers in the world.

Currency: Venezuelan Bolívar (VEB).

Country Inflation: 30.4% (2008 est.) 29.5% (2009 est.).

City: Caracas is the capital and largest city of Venezuela.

City Economy: Important industries in Caracas include chemicals, textiles, leather, food, iron and wood products. Caracas is a regional center for the distribution of products.

Cost of Living: Caracas 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. Caracas is currently ranked 7 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Vatican City, Vatican City Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 26, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Vatican City.

Location: The Vatican City is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome.

Country Climate: Mediterranean climate characteristic of the Mediterranean coasts of Italy. It is at its most comfortable from April through June, and from mid-September to October. By August, the temperature during the heat of the day often exceeds 32 °C (90 °F).

Country Terrain: Urban low hill.

Major Languages: Italian, Latin.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 830 (2008 est.) 830 (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The Vatican has its own financial system and banks, with interests worldwide. The incomes of lay workers are sensibly better than those of correspondent counterparts who work in the city of Rome. Living standards may be different, at least in their public evidence, due to particular sober lifestyle required.

Currency: Euro (EUR).

Country Inflation: 3.5% (2008 est.) 0.75% (2009 est.).

City: Vatican City is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome.

City Economy: The unique, noncommercial economy of Vatican City is supported financially by contributions (known as Peter’s Pence) from Roman Catholics throughout the world, the sale of postage stamps and tourist mementos, fees for admission to museums, and the sale of publications.

Cost of Living: Vatican City 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. Vatican City is currently ranked 70 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Vanuatu, Port Vila Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 26, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of Vanuatu.

Location: Vanuatu is a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia.

Country Climate: Tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October; moderate rainfall from November to April; may be affected by cyclones from December to April.

Country Terrain: Mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains.

Major Languages: Bislama, French, English.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 0.234 million (2008 est.) 0.241 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Vanuatu is built on agriculture, tourism, offshore financial services, and cattle raising. There is substantial fishing activity although this industry doesn’t bring in much foreign exchange. Exports include copra, kava, beef, cocoa, and timber, and imports include machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, and fuels. Vanuatu is a tax haven, and offshore financing in Port Vila is an important part of the economy. Vanuatu is still dependent on foreign aid, most of which comes from Australia and New Zealand, although in recent years aid has also come from the People’s Republic of China.

Currency: Vanuatu Vatu (VUV).

Country Inflation: 4.8% (2008 est.) 4.3% (2009 est.).

City: Port Vila is the capital and largest city of Vanuatu.

City Economy: Port Vila is the economic and commercial centre of Vanuatu. Port Vila is Vanuatu’s most important harbour and the centre of the country’s trade. The international airport, Bauerfield International (VLI) is also located in the city. Major industries in the city remain agriculture and fishing. Tourism is also becoming important, especially from Australia and New Zealand.

Cost of Living: Port Vila 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. Port Vila is currently ranked 23 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Uzbekistan, Tashkent Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 26, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Uzbekistan.

Location: Uzbekistan is in Central Asia, north of Afghanistan.

Country Climate: Mostly midlatitude desert, long, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid grassland in east.

Country Terrain: Mostly flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes; broad, flat intensely irrigated river valleys along course of Amu Darya, Syr Darya (Sirdaryo), and Zarafshon; Fergana Valley in east surrounded by mountainous Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; shrinking Aral Sea in west.

Major Languages: Uzbek, Russian, Tajik.

Major Religions: Islam.

Country Population: 27.2 million (2008 est.) 27.7 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Uzbekistan relies mainly on commodity production, including cotton, gold, uranium, potassium, and natural gas. Despite the declared objective of transition to a market economy, Uzbekistan continues to maintain rigid economic controls, which often repel foreign investors. Agriculture employs 28% of Uzbekistan’s labour force and contributes 24% of its GDP.

Currency: Uzbekistan Som (UZS).

Country Inflation: 12.7% (2008 est.) 12.5% (2009 est.).

City: Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan and also of the Tashkent Province.

City Economy: Since 1991, the city has changed economically, culturally, and architecturally.

Cost of Living: Tashkent 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. Tashkent is currently ranked 261 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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USA, Washington DC Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 26, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: United States of America.

Location: The United States of America (USA) is in North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico.

Country Climate: Mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the Mississippi River, and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest; low winter temperatures in the northwest are ameliorated occasionally in January and February by warm chinook winds from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.

Country Terrain: Vast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low mountains in east; rugged mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska; rugged, volcanic topography in Hawaii.

Major Languages: English.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 304.4 million (2008 est.) 307.2 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of the United States is a capitalist mixed economy, fueled by abundant natural resources, a well-developed infrastructure, and high productivity. The U.S. economy is the largest national economy in the world, with an estimated gross domestic product (GDP) equal to a quarter of nominal global GDP and a fifth of global GDP at purchasing power parity.

Currency: US Dollar (USD).

Country Inflation: 3.8% (2008 est.) -0.4% (2009 est.).

City: Washington D.C. is the capital of the United States.

City Economy: Washington, D.C. hosts 174 foreign embassies as well as the headquarters of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The headquarters of other institutions such as trade unions, lobbying groups, and professional associations are also located in the District. Washington has a growing, diversified economy with an increasing percentage of professional and business service jobs.

Cost of Living: Washington DC 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. Washington DC is currently ranked 107 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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USA, Tampa Fla Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 26, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: United States of America.

Location: The United States of America (USA) is in North America, bordering both the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Pacific Ocean, between Canada and Mexico.

Country Climate: Mostly temperate, but tropical in Hawaii and Florida, arctic in Alaska, semiarid in the great plains west of the Mississippi River, and arid in the Great Basin of the southwest; low winter temperatures in the northwest are ameliorated occasionally in January and February by warm chinook winds from the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.

Country Terrain: Vast central plain, mountains in west, hills and low mountains in east; rugged mountains and broad river valleys in Alaska; rugged, volcanic topography in Hawaii.

Major Languages: English.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 304.4 million (2008 est.) 307.2 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of the United States is a capitalist mixed economy, fueled by abundant natural resources, a well-developed infrastructure, and high productivity. The U.S. economy is the largest national economy in the world, with an estimated gross domestic product (GDP) equal to a quarter of nominal global GDP and a fifth of global GDP at purchasing power parity.

Currency: US Dollar (USD).

Country Inflation: 3.8% (2008 est.) -0.4% (2009 est.).

City: Tampa is a Gulf Coast city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County and is the 53rd largest city in the United States.

City Economy: Service, retail, finance, insurance and real estate play a vital role in the area’s economy. Many corporations, such as large banks and telecommunications companies, maintain regional offices in Tampa. Tampa’s port is now the seventh largest in the nation and Florida?s largest tonnage port, handling nearly half of all seaborne commerce that passes through the state.

Cost of Living: Tampa 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. Tampa is currently ranked 172 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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