Desirability Factors for Expatriates
In 2004, the Desirability Factors for Expatriates survey, conducted by the Hong Kong based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy, identified Australia as the one of the most desirable countries in the Asia Pacific for expatriates. Australia received consistently high rankings across all categories benchmarked including housing, health care, personal security, schooling and entertainment.
Sydney’s attractiveness as a location for expatriate workers was reaffirmed by its top 10 ranking (along with three other Australian capitals) in a list of the world’s most liveable cities compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit. Sydney was considered one of the best locations in the world, offering extensive availability of goods and services, low personal risk and effective infrastructure.
Quality of life is important for attracting foreign companies to specific countries, even more so in the Asia Pacific where conditions vary widely. People often have to be relocated from head office to set up a new overseas operation, and this can be a problem if the environment in the new location is harsh and unfamiliar. Australia’s high quality of life and culture make it a very attractive place for expatriates. Sydney benefits further from its high profile image globally.
Desirability Factors for Expatriates, 2004 (1,2)
|
Housing |
Health care |
Personal security |
K'garten/ primary schools |
Second-ary schools |
Univers-ity and post-graduate education |
Sport-ing and recrea-tional facilities |
Nightlife |
Sight-seeing attract-ions |
Ave score (3) |
| United States |
1.09 |
2.38 |
4.08 |
2.13 |
2.63 |
0.89 |
0.91 |
2.09 |
0.45 |
2.21 |
| Australia |
2.25 |
2.95 |
2.40 |
2.60 |
2.80 |
2.20 |
1.20 |
2.80 |
1.20 |
2.56 |
| Singapore |
3.25 |
1.72 |
2.50 |
1.00 |
1.00 |
4.25 |
3.75 |
4.25 |
7.50 |
2.71 |
| Hong Kong SAR |
5.60 |
3.55 |
1.80 |
2.70 |
3.40 |
4.90 |
4.45 |
2.00 |
3.60 |
3.58 |
| Philippines |
2.33 |
4.83 |
6.00 |
2.67 |
2.67 |
5.67 |
3.00 |
3.67 |
5.00 |
3.78 |
| Taiwan |
4.80 |
4.38 |
3.19 |
2.35 |
2.40 |
5.70 |
5.00 |
4.50 |
5.90 |
3.83 |
| China |
3.67 |
6.79 |
1.33 |
1.67 |
2.33 |
7.67 |
5.00 |
3.00 |
5.00 |
3.99 |
| Thailand |
4.20 |
5.18 |
3.40 |
5.20 |
5.40 |
6.80 |
4.40 |
2.00 |
2.60 |
4.17 |
| Indonesia |
2.75 |
6.56 |
5.25 |
2.38 |
2.38 |
8.50 |
2.50 |
2.75 |
3.25 |
4.59 |
| Malaysia |
3.33 |
4.13 |
4.33 |
4.33 |
4.67 |
5.67 |
4.67 |
5.00 |
4.67 |
4.61 |
| India |
4.10 |
5.38 |
5.00 |
2.90 |
4.00 |
6.00 |
4.80 |
5.00 |
0.90 |
4.64 |
| Korea |
6.97 |
4.17 |
2.67 |
4.00 |
5.00 |
8.00 |
6.00 |
3.50 |
6.53 |
5.03 |
| Japan |
7.00 |
4.25 |
3.50 |
4.00 |
3.50 |
8.00 |
5.50 |
4.00 |
3.50 |
5.05 |
| Vietnam |
5.57 |
6.72 |
4.14 |
6.33 |
6.83 |
9.00 |
5.71 |
4.71 |
4.71 |
5.52 |
Footnotes:
1: Grades are scaled from 0 to 10, with 0 being the best grade possible and 10 the worst
2: Expatriates living in the countries surveyed were asked to score their host country on the quality of each factor. The scores for Australia are based on surveys of expatriates (i.e. non-Australians) living in Australia.
3: The average score provides a measure of the overall quality of expatriate living conditions. The table shows a combination of broad composite grades and sub-set grades. However, not all sub-set grades are shown.
Source: Political and Economic Risk Consultancy Ltd, March 2004, www.asiarisk.com.