Timor-Leste, Dili Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 25, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Democratic Republic of East Timor.

Location: Timor-Leste is in South Eastern Asia, northwest of Australia in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago; note – Timor-Leste includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the Oecussi (Ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island of Timor, and the islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco.

Country Climate: Tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons.

Country Terrain: Mountainous.

Major Languages: Tetum and Portuguese (official), Indonesian and English (working languages).

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 1.06 million (2008 est.) 1.08 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of East Timor is one of the world’s poorest, in part due to decades of both neglect and misaligned economic priorities under Portuguese and subsequent Indonesian administration.

Currency: US Dollar.

Country Inflation: 7.6% (2008 est.) 4.0% (2009 est.).

City: Dili is the capital and largest city of East Timor.

City Economy: Dili is the chief port and commercial centre for East Timor.

Cost of Living: Dili 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. Dili is currently ranked 186 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Thailand, Bangkok Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 25, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Kingdom of Thailand.

Location: Thailand is in South Eastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma.

Country Climate: Tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid.

Country Terrain: Central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere.

Major Languages: Thai.

Major Religions: Buddhism.

Country Population: 66.4 million (2008 est.) 67.1 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Thailand is an emerging economy which is heavily export-dependent, with exports accounting for more than two thirds of gross domestic product (GDP).

Currency: Thai Baht (THB).

Country Inflation: 5.5% (2008 est.) -1.2% (2009 est.).

City: Bangkok is the capital, largest urban area and primary city of Thailand.

City Economy: Bangkok is the economic center of Thailand, dominating the country’s economy.

Cost of Living: Bangkok 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. Bangkok is currently ranked 224 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Tanzania, Dar es Salaam Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 25, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: United Republic of Tanzania.

Location: Tanzania is in Eastern Africa, bordering the Indian Ocean, between Kenya and Mozambique.

Country Climate: Varies from tropical along coast to temperate in highlands.

Country Terrain: Plains along coast; central plateau; highlands in north, south.

Major Languages: English, Swahili.

Major Religions: Christianity, Islam.

Country Population: 39.7 million (2008 est.) 40.5 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Tanzania is mostly based on agriculture, which accounts for more than half of the GDP, provides approximately 85% of exports, and employs approximately 80% of the workforce.

Currency: Tanzanian Shilling (TZS).

Country Inflation: 10.3% (2008 est.) 10.6% (2009 est.).

City: Dar es Salaam is the largest city in Tanzania.

City Economy: Dar es Salaam is the country’s richest city and a regionally important economic centre. About one half of Tanzania’s manufacturing employment is located in the city despite the fact that Dar holds only ten percent of Tanzania’s population.

Cost of Living: Dar es Salaam 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. Dar es Salaam is currently ranked 151 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Tajikistan, Dushanbe Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 24, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Tajikistan.

Location: Tajikistan is in Central Asia, west of China.

Country Climate: Midlatitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains.

Country Terrain: Pamir and Alay Mountains dominate landscape; western Fergana Valley in north, Kofarnihon and Vakhsh Valleys in southwest.

Major Languages: Tajik, Uzbek, Russian.

Major Religions: Islam.

Country Population: 6.5 million (2008 est.) 6.5 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Tajikistan has been gravely weakened by civil conflict and by the loss of subsidies from Moscow and of markets for its products. Tajikistan depends to a large degree on aid from Russia and Uzbekistan and on international humanitarian assistance for much of its basic subsistence needs. Foreign remittance flows from Tajik migrant workers abroad, mainly in Russia, has become by far the main source of income for millions of Tajikistan’s people and represents additional 36.2 % of country’s GDP directly reaching the poverty-stricken population.

Currency: Tajikistan Somoni (TJS).

Country Inflation: 20.4% (2008 est.) 8.0% (2009 est.).

City: Dushanbe is the capital and largest city of Tajikistan.

City Economy: Coal, lead, and arsenic are mined nearby in the cities of Nurek and Kulob allowing for the industrialization of Dushanbe. The Nurek Dam, the world’s highest as of 2008, generates 95% of Tajikistan’s electricity.

Cost of Living: Dushanbe 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. Dushanbe is currently ranked 277 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Taiwan, Taipei Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 24, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Republic of China (ROC).

Location: Taiwan is in Eastern Asia, and comprises islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China.

Country Climate: Tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); cloudiness is persistent and extensive all year.

Country Terrain: Eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west.

Major Languages: Mandarin Chinese (official), Min Nan Chinese (Taiwanese).

Major Religions: Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity.

Country Population: 23.0 million (2008 est.) 23.2 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Taiwan is a dynamic capitalist economy. Real growth in GDP has averaged about 8% during the past three decades. The service sector makes up 73% of the economy.

Currency: Taiwan Dollar (TWD).

Country Inflation: 3.5% (2008 est.) -0.5% (2009 est.).

City: Taipei is the largest city in Taiwan and is the de facto capital of the Republic of China.

City Economy: As the capital of the Republic of China, Taipei has been at the center of rapid economic development in the country and has now become one of the global cities in the production of high technology and its components.

Cost of Living: Taipei 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. Taipei is currently ranked 53 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Syria, Damascus Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 24, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: The Syrian Arab Republic.

Location: Syria is in the Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Lebanon and Turkey.

Country Climate: Mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus.

Country Terrain: Primarily semiarid and desert plateau; narrow coastal plain; mountains in west.

Major Languages: Arabic.

Major Religions: Islam.

Country Population: 19.9 million (2008 est.) 20.4 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Syria is that of a middle-income, developing country with a diversified economy based on agriculture, industry, and energy.

Currency: Syrian Pound (SYP).

Country Inflation: 15.2% (2008 est.) 7.5% (2009 est.).

City: Damascus is the capital and largest city of Syria.

City Economy: Damascus is home to a wide range of industrial activity, such as Textile, food processing, Cement and various Chemical industries. The historical role that Damascus played as an important trade center has changed in recent years due to political development in the region as well as the development of modern trade.

Cost of Living: Damascus 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. Damascus is currently ranked 202 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Switzerland, Zurich Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 24, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Swiss Confederation.

Location: Switzerland is in Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy.

Country Climate: Temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers.

Country Terrain: Mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes.

Major Languages: German, French, Italian, Romansch.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 7.3 million (2008 est.) 7.3 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Switzerland is one of the world’s most stable economies. Its policy of long-term monetary security and bank secrecy has made Switzerland a safe haven for investors, creating an economy that is increasingly dependent on a steady tide of foreign investmen.

Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF).

Country Inflation: 2.4% (2008 est.) -0.4% (2009 est.).

City: Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zürich.

City Economy: Zurich is Switzerland’s main commercial and cultural centre.

Cost of Living: Zurich 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. Zurich is currently ranked 4 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Switzerland, Geneva Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 24, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Swiss Confederation.

Location: Switzerland is in Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy.

Country Climate: Temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers.

Country Terrain: Mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes.

Major Languages: German, French, Italian, Romansch.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 7.3 million (2008 est.) 7.3 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Switzerland is one of the world’s most stable economies. Its policy of long-term monetary security and bank secrecy has made Switzerland a safe haven for investors, creating an economy that is increasingly dependent on a steady tide of foreign investmen.

Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF).

Country Inflation: 2.4% (2008 est.) -0.4% (2009 est.).

City: Geneva is the capital of the Republic and Canton of Geneva.

City Economy: Geneva’s economy is mainly services oriented. The city has an important and old finance sector, which is specialized in private banking (managing assets of about 1 trillion USD) and financing of international trade.

Cost of Living: Geneva 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. Geneva is currently ranked 2 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Sweden, Stockholm Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 24, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: Kingdom of Sweden.

Location: Sweden is in Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, Kattegat, and Skagerrak, between Finland and Norway.

Country Climate: Temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north.

Country Terrain: Mostly flat or gently rolling lowlands; mountains in west.

Major Languages: Swedish.

Major Religions: Christianity.

Country Population: 9.2 million (2008 est.) 9.2 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Sweden is an export-oriented mixed economy featuring a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labour force. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Sweden’s engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. Telecommunications, the automotive industry and the pharmaceutical industries are also of great importance.

Currency: Swedish Krona (SEK).

Country Inflation: 3.3% (2008 est.) 2.2% (2009 est.).

City: Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden.

City Economy: The vast majority of Stockholmians work in the service industry, which accounts for roughly 85% of jobs in Stockholm. Stockholm is Sweden’s financial centre.

Cost of Living: Stockholm 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. Stockholm is currently ranked 85 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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Swaziland, Mbabane Cost of Living April 2010

Posted on June 24, 2010 by Xpatulator

Country Full Name: The Kingdom of Swaziland.

Location: Swaziland is in Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa.

Country Climate: Varies from tropical to near temperate.

Country Terrain: Mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains.

Major Languages: Swazi, English (both official).

Major Religions: Christianity, indigenous beliefs.

Country Population: 1.0 million (2008 est.) 1.0 million (2009 est.).

Country Economy: The economy of Swaziland is fairly diversified, with agriculture, forestry and mining accounting for about 13% of GDP, manufacturing (textiles and sugar-related processing) representing 37% of GDP. The majority of the population ? about 75%?is employed in subsistence agriculture.

Currency: Swaziland Lilangeni (SZL).

Country Inflation: 13.1% (2008 est.) 7.8% (2009 est.).

City: Mbabane is the capital and largest city of Swaziland.

City Economy: Mbabane, and Swaziland itself, depend on tourism and sugar exports.

Cost of Living: Mbabane 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. Mbabane is currently ranked 258 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 282 international locations.

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