Expats in Asia best paid - More would be coming???

[MarrickG]

Expect more FT to come and get ready for tougher times ahead Sinkies...

SINGAPORE - WANT the good life despite the dire economy? Head east, according to a survey showing some of the world's highest-paid expatriates live in Asia and the Middle East.

A third of all expats in Russia - the highest proportion in the world - earn more than US$250,000 (S$375,000) a year, followed closely by expats in Japan and QatUSar, according to the 2009 Expat Explorer survey, commissioned by HSBC Bank International, the offshore financial services arm of HSBC Holdings.

Between a third and a quarter of foreigners working in Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand and India earned annual wages of more than US$200,000, while countries such as Malaysia, China and India, were ranked among the cheapest for accommodation.

'Asia is home to the highest paid expats in the world, with one in four expats earning more than US$200,000 per year,' said the survey.

Russia was ranked the number one country overall for expats in terms of wealth. The rest of the top nine were all in Asia and the Middle East.

Building a nest egg is one of the perks of expat life for many people, and the survey showed that Saudi Arabia, Russia, Qatar, India and the United Arab Emirates were the top five countries where people have increased their savings.

But the global economic crisis has taken a heavy toll on expats in Britain and the United States, where close to a quarter are considering returning home, compared to just 15 per cent overall, due to the high cost of living, lack of savings and lower wages.

Generous salaries are also relatively scarce in Australia and Belgium, the survey showed. More than 60 per cent of expats in both countries earn under US$100,000, making them the poorest expats wage-wise when compared to a global average of 35 per cent.

'We have seen some interesting trends in terms of how expats are reacting to the credit crunch, but what is also interesting to see is that they remain a wealthy group of individuals,' Paul Say, head of marketing and communications for HSBC Bank International, said in a statement.

'Over half the expats surveyed are actually earning US$100,000 and over - no mean feat particularly in the current climate.'

Expat Explorer, now in its second year, surveyed more than 3,100 expats from various nationalities living in 26 countries. HSBC said it was the largest survey of its kind. -- REUTERS

 

[Char_Azn]

I wonder if this is becoming a trend. My company in a bid to "retain talent" retrenched their Ang Mohs in Europe and transfer them over to Asia. Mostly in SG since we're the regional office

 

[DingDong]

We need more FT to replace the local scum produce who are only good at whining. Whereas the FTs work hard and keep S'pore economy humming.

 

[MarrickG]

As your name suggested, you 'Ding Dong' har?

We need more FT to replace the local scum produce who are only good at whining. Whereas the FTs work hard and keep S'pore economy humming.

 

[JohnTT]

I wonder if this is becoming a trend. My company in a bid to "retain talent" retrenched their Ang Mohs in Europe and transfer them over to Asia. Mostly in SG since we're the regional office

Good luck to u! Better buck up your office politics skills to survive.

 

[Char_Azn]

Good luck to u! Better buck up your office politics skills to survive.

I have more then enough confidence that I'll still have a job when this ends. I'm in IT and I've been fighting with PRCs and Indians for jobs for as long as I care to remember. A few lousy ang mohs isnt going to be a threat to me :oIo:

But seriously I feel like Asia is becoming a refugee camp(especially since we are the only ones still able to generate revenue) for the Western jobless. I see them transferring pple to Asia like no one's Biz

 

[Meltdown]

As the economies of Europe & North America continue to implode, the unemployed Ang Mohs are heading east to Asia! Asian countries are more than happy to welcome them with open arms to satisfy their Pinkerton Syndrome.