Singapore lost #1 spot as desirable country for expats

[the lynx]

http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/si ... iates-eyes

[quote]SINGAPORE — After holding the top spot for the past two years, Singapore has fallen to third place in an annual global survey on the most desirable countries for expatriates to work and live in.

The Republic lost its crown in the HSBC survey this year — ranking behind China and Germany — amid concerns among respondents over job market security, integration with locals and the rising cost of living. The survey results were released last week.

In particular, more than half the respondents in Singapore — compared to a global average of 39 per cent — cited job security as one of the top three threats to their financial well-being and confidence, said the report, which polled 228 expats here.

While the Republic’s ranking has fallen, HSBC noted that year-on-year comparisons “are not statistically valid”

[Steve1960]

Comes under 'be careful what you ask for you might get it'!

[ecureilx]

Not sure how the locals would infer from this. Happy because less of FTs wants to come here? Or sad because that's another #1 trophy gone?

/joke

Maybe happy that this place will be less attractive so .. FT don't snatch the local girls (ah .. ehm .. some guys in Sailing line said SPGs existed long long before FTs .. .. and that lesser available men being snatched by Cute FTs girls ..

Oh, look at the opportunities ..

Did you see the article about the Bakerzin founder, taking advantage of manpower crunch ??

http://bambooinnovator.com/2013/11/05/b ... igh-rents/

[Fortan]

228 respondents? Hardly representative is it? Especially seen in the light that China now ranks above Singapore. I wouldn't go to China and live/work if the company doubled my salary.

[the lynx]

228 respondents? Hardly representative is it? Especially seen in the light that China now ranks above Singapore. I wouldn't go to China and live/work if the company doubled my salary.

Did you know that some MNCs include hardship benefits in their remuneration packages to their employees sent to China? China is grouped together with Nigeria and few South American countries to qualify for hardship benefits.

[Steve1960]

Wow!

I could do it but probably only in Shanghai

[Beeroclock]

Indeed it's very surprising to see China at the top, especially after reading reports many families now refuse to go there due to pollution issues. Mind you we have had a very serious haze incident here too in recent months.

[zzm9980]

I wouldn't go to China and live/work if the company doubled my salary.

And I'd go there for a pay-cut if the alternative was staying in Singapore. At least for a short term (1-3yr) assignment.

[ScoobyDoes]

Indeed it's very surprising to see China at the top, especially after reading reports many families now refuse to go there due to pollution issues. Mind you we have had a very serious haze incident here too in recent months.

I was offered exactly that in or around 2002, and did refuse even then.

I found a new employer and moved to KL instead. Even more than 10yrs ago Shanghai was not the place to head to for a number of reasons including, cost (as a foreigner), language, pollution, efficiency, cost (I know), traffic and the smell of the toilet in our managerial factory (hell, I designed and built the place but I still couldn't account for local construction standards. It was like nobody had heard of a u-bend of the right size).

Now, with businesses moving from China back to Europe and the US, sorry I don't find it that attractive compared to here. There are other places except for China and Germany that I do rate over Singapore, including Malaysia, but the interviewed quantum by HSBC is too small to be accurate.

[hairy legs]

The family and I have been here (shanghai) for the last 5yrs. I can only say that there are more people wanting to move to China compared to 5 years ago.

I can see this trend in the Company's struggle to keep me on expat terms plus the number of students in the Intl school that my son attends.

Perhaps it is the language barrier that discourages many non Chinese speaking people from accepting jobs here, but I can tell you that there is a BIG ang moh community here and many have been for for as long as 10yrs.

Oh, zzm9980, it is not cheap in SH, although there are many choices, the cost of living can be as high as Singapore if you want to live a decent lifestyle. ie not risk yourself by eating pork that was actually rat meat, fake gas cylinder, repossessed oil etc...

And as a guide, school fees for a primary and secondary student in an Intl School here is around $50k SGD / $38k USD per annum.

Of course you can send your kids to the local schools for a fraction of the cost, I can bet they will speak perfect Chinese in no time, but you will cry when you hear them speak in English...

[zzm9980]

Oh, zzm9980, it is not cheap in SH, although there are many choices, the cost of living can be as high as Singapore if you want to live a decent lifestyle.

Oh, I know all about. I spend a significant amount of time in China for my company. I'm actually close to the 90-day limit for the year where I'd have to pay income tax if I exceed... And my Chinese is decent enough to ask the street vendors "?????????????“

edit: Wow, the forum filters out Chinese now. That string of ??????? was the hanzi for: zhe ge chuan shi shen me rou? wo bu xi huan shu rou" (What kind of meat is this kebab? I don't like rat meat)

[sundaymorningstaple]

Interesting. I wasn't aware of that or when it changed!

[Fortan]

@Hairy legs, are you not worried about the pollution and what it does to your kids? Seems to the one fact that keeps many from going.

[hairy legs]

@Hairy legs, are you not worried about the pollution and what it does to your kids? Seems to the one fact that keeps many from going.

Seriously, I didnt think much about this when I decided to come over...

But, I can see that the Chinese have longer lifespan than S'poreans, mind you, a Politician's real live starts at 60!

My 79 yr old dad passed away this year and my Chinese colleague said 'oh dear, he is so young'...

Also, I note that they have nice skin complexion than S'poreans... (perhaps it is due to the 4 seasons)..

Lastly, there are 13bil Chinese in China!!

Perhaps I prefer $ over health..

[the lynx]

But, I can see that the Chinese have longer lifespan than S'poreans, mind you, a Politician's real live starts at 60!

My 79 yr old dad passed away this year and my Chinese colleague said 'oh dear, he is so young'...

"What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger"?