This year was a special one: our community turned 15! We’ve been on quite a journey in those 15 years, watching InterNations grow from a small start-up to a thriving global expat community.
It’s always exciting to hear the stories about enriching experiences and new friendships members share with us — all thanks to the creative ways Ambassadors and Consuls bring people around the world together at their events.
Let’s take a look back at the highlights of 2022 …
The year is coming to an end, and we’re entering the holiday season. Christmas markets, holiday parties, and local traditions are all around. It is a great time to come together, reminisce about the past year, and share our plans and hopes for 2023. Of course, there are still some holiday highlights and New Year’s Eve parties to come.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi impress with their easy administration and Singapore with its online options. German cities, on the other hand, still struggle to enter the digital age.
Top Findings
In #1 Dubai, expats particularly appreciate how easy it is to get a visa.
It is easy to access government services online in #2 Abu Dhabi.
#3 Singapore impresses with the ease of getting high-speed internet.
Five of the top 10 cities are located in the Middle East.
The bottom 3 cities are all in Germany, where digitalization lags behind.
Eight of the ten worst-rated cities in this index are located in Europe.
The Top 10
Methodology
The Expat Essentials Index features 50 cities with a minimum sample size of 50 respondents each. This index — new in 2022 — is based on four subcategories, with at least two rating factors per category. Survey participants rated the individual factors on a scale of one to seven.
The Admin Topics Subcategory covers the ease of opening a bank account, getting a visa, and dealing with local bureaucracy. Topics included in the Digital Life Subcategory are the ease of paying without cash and getting high-speed internet access at home, as well as unrestricted online access and the availability of digital government services. In the Housing Subcategory, respondents were asked to rate the ease of finding accommodation as well as its affordability. Finally, the Language Subcategory covers the ease of living in a particular destination without speaking the local language(s) and how easy it is to learn it/them.
Regarding personal finance, Mexico City, Bangkok, and Valencia are the clear favorites. In Vancouver, London, and Paris, however, expats struggle with their living expenses.
Top Findings
Expats in #1 Mexico City have the highest level of financial satisfaction.
Incomes go a lot further in #2 Bangkok, so a comfortable life is easier to afford.
#3 Valencia’s result is boosted by its top ranking for cost of living.
Most top 10 cities are located in either Europe or Southeast Asia.
Western and Central Europe, plus North America, dominate the bottom 10.
The Top 10
Methodology
The Personal Finance Index of the Expat City Ranking features 50 cities across the globe, with a minimum sample size of 50 respondents each. The index is based on three rating factors: general cost of living, expats’ satisfaction with their financial situation, and whether a respondent’s disposable household income is considered enough for a comfortable life.
A closer look at the top 3 cities in the Working Abroad Index reveals that they have different strengths. Only one gets great results for both Career Prospects and Work & Leisure.
Top Findings
#1 Copenhagen offers expats the best work-life balance worldwide.
Respondents in #2 Dublin are especially happy with their career prospects.
#3 New York City has a strong performance for general job satisfaction.
Out of the ten best cities for working abroad, seven are located in Europe.
#50 Istanbul, #49 Johannesburg, and #48 Milan are the three worst-rated cities in this index.
The Top 10
Methodology
The Working Abroad Index includes 50 cities in total, with a minimum sample size of 50 respondents per city. It is based on four subcategories with at least two factors each. The survey participants were asked to rate each factor on a scale of one (very bad) to seven (very good).
The Career Prospects Subcategory includes the local job market, personal career opportunities, and whether relocating has improved respondents’ career prospects. The Salary & Job Security Subcategory features questions on job security, the state of the economy, and fair pay. Working hours and work-life balance are the rating factors in the Work & Leisure Subcategory. And, apart from overall job satisfaction, the Work Culture & Satisfaction Subcategory looks into if expats see a purpose in their work and if the local business culture supports creativity / thinking outside the box, encourages flexibility, and promotes independent work and/or flat hierarchies.
