British expats still rate Australia as the best place to live in the world – but other destinations in the Asia Pacific are seeing a surge in expat popularity as well.
Australia was voted top by 90% of British expats who have moved out there.
They told researchers for the NatWest International Personal Banking Quality of Life Index that their health and standard of living improved once they moved Down Under.
- 82% believed Australia provided a better lifestyle and environment for their children
- 73% reported they were in better health
- 68% had more money to spend
- 88% rated the Australian better than that in the UK
- 84% loved the sunshine and claimed better weather was one reason why they had moved
- 87% have no intention of returning to Britain and 28% had already retired and lived permanently in Australia
Other Asia Pacific countries also rate highly with expats.
Shift to the Asia Pacific
China, Singapore and Hong Kong have all surged up the rankings since the start of the survey in 2008.
British expats in China explained they had moved because the job prospects were better (71%) and nearly 90% stated they were paid more money than they were in Britain.
For 50%, moving to China had allowed them to take part in a friendly culture, eat good food and become fitter.
Another 50% extolled public transport in China, claiming getting around in a vast and crowded country was easy because of fast trains, underground transport in cities and efficient bus networks.
The top 12 countries ranked by the index are:
- Australia
- Canada
- United Arab Emirates
- Singapore
- China
- New Zealand
- South Africa
- Hong Kong
- USA
- France
- Spain
- Portugal
“Over the years, Australia has been consistently popular with British expats. Better weather and more resilience against the recent economic downturn have given many a better state of well-being and more money to spend,” said a NatWest spokesman.
Change of mood
“However, the mood is shifting away from traditional expat destinations in Europe towards the Asia Pacific, which is rising in popularity as emerging economies provide a better standard of living and improving job security against a back drop of a cheaper standard of living.”
For example, argued the spokesman, Hong Kong did not even show on the index in 2008, but low taxes, good public transport and many locals speaking English have helped increase the former colony’s popularity with expats.
