Singapore retains its position as the top city for expatriates to live in for the 10th consecutive year, according to ECA International’s latest Location Ratings Report. With factors like excellent infrastructure, low crime rates, and minimal socio-political tensions, Singapore remains highly attractive for expats.
While Hong Kong and mainland China have seen improvements over the past year with the lifting of pandemic restrictions, their overall rankings have fluctuated over the last decade. Mainland Chinese cities have notably climbed in rankings despite pandemic setbacks, attributed to improvements in various aspects of living conditions. Conversely, Hong Kong’s ranking has declined due to socio-political tensions since 2014.
Tokyo emerges as the second most liveable city in Asia for expatriates, reflecting significant improvements since the aftermath of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake. Despite challenges, cities like Jakarta, Phnom Penh, and Hanoi have seen incremental improvements, enhancing their appeal to expatriates.
Key Takeaways:
Singapore Leads: Singapore maintains its status as the most liveable city in Asia for expatriates, with stellar infrastructure and low crime rates.
Mainland China’s Rise: Mainland Chinese cities have surged in rankings over the last decade, despite pandemic-related setbacks, owing to overall improvements in living conditions.
Hong Kong’s Decline: Hong Kong’s liveability ranking has fallen over the past decade due to socio-political tensions since 2014, although it remains among the top 10 most liveable Asian cities.
