The best benefit packages still come from a placement in the Middle East.  Some 80% of expats surveyed in Oman received airfare allowances for trips home, and in Qatar 75% received an accommodation allowance.  The global average for both measures was 33%. 

Contractual benefits in locations outside the Middle East were less common.  Just over half of global expats (52%) received health and medical allowances and over a fifth (21%) were given a relocation allowance. 

HSBC’s results differ considerably from a similar study released in August by InterNations, a global network of 1.8 million members who live and work abroad.  InterNations’ Expat Insider listed Ecuador as its top expat destination thanks to its low living expenses, affordable healthcare and high levels of personal satisfaction.  Mexico and Malta also ranked higher than Singapore, which came in at No.  4. 

“The income situation and quality of life in a country like Singapore is usually quite good, but there are other components that also influence your expat life,” explained InterNations founder Malte Zeeck. “ Something we value very highly is how friendly locals are towards foreigners and how easy it is to settle in.  This can be very different in countries like Ecuador or Mexico than it is in a place like Switzerland, Germany or Singapore.” 

Indeed, in some instances among the top 10 destinations in HSBC’s study, expats did not feel they were integrating well into the local culture or with local people.  In the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland, nine and 10 on the HSBC ranking, only 42% and 43%, respectively, felt they were integrating well.  And despite its top spot, only 54% of expats in Singapore said they enjoyed immersing themselves in local culture. 

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