Switzerland emerges hot favourite of expats

Geneva: Switzerland has knocked Singapore off its perch as the world’s top-ranked destination for expatriates.

The nation — home to some of the biggest private banks, commodity traders and pharmaceuticals companies — was judged the best place to live and work, according to a study published by HSBC Holdings Plc. Switzerland jumped from No. 8 last year as it garnered top marks for its earning potential and stability.

The average Swiss salary of $111,587 is 47 per cent higher than the $75,966 mean pay package across the 33 nations surveyed by HSBC in the 12th edition of the annual expat country ranking. Seven out of 10 expats said they had more disposable income after moving to Switzerland.

While the nation of iconic ski resorts from Zermatt and Verbier to St. Moritz scored well for quality of life, Switzerland isn’t the place for a sense of fulfilment or making friends — ranking 31st and 24th respectively on those measures. On the other hand, it’s perceived as great place to raise children and make a long-term home.

“Expats are increasingly looking at more than just the financial returns they get from moving to a new market,” John Goddard, head of HSBC’s expat unit, said. “They’re looking at work-life balance, the general environment in which they want to bring up their children, they’re looking at safety, and Switzerland marks really well against all those different categories.”

Singapore placed second, after topping the ranking for the past four years.

But the UK records a sharp drop

Other big gainers included Turkey, which surged from 22nd to 7th, earning top marks for its open and welcoming communities and for the ease expats find in settling in. Spain jumped nine places to fourth, after coming first in the sub-categories of quality of life and physical and mental well-being.

The UK tumbled seven places to 27th as the uncertainty over Brexit saw the country come in the bottom three for both economic and political stability. Still, for UK-bound expats in need of consolation, the nation tops the sub-category for fulfilment and came in fourth for career progression.

Sweden was another big loser, dropping to 20th from 7th spot. High marks for economic stability and work-life balance weren’t enough to counter the difficulty expats found in making friends and reaching their potential in the Scandinavian country.