2019 Survey Confirms Asian Cities Continue to be the Most Expensive Locations for Working Overseas

According to the results of the Mercer Cost of Living Survey, you may want to avoid certain parts of Asia due to the high cost of living. This continent boasts some of the most expensive places for expats to live.

Various factors determining the cost of living include the price of food, alcohol and tobacco, domestic supplies, housing, home services, utilities, recreation and leisure activities, transportation, clothing and healthcare.

Hong Kong is currently coming out top, as the most expensive city for expats for the second year in a row, closely followed by Tokyo, Singapore and Seoul. Zurich is the first non-Asian city on the board and now ranking in fifth place. However, in comparing the cost of a fast-food meal for one person (Big Mac regular menu), Zurich tops the board by far!

Chinese cities Shanghai (6^th place) and Beijing (8th place) remain in the top ten, and now Shenzhen has recently joined them at number 10.

You can see the full ranking here.

Mercer is the leading provider of data on the cost of living and housing for employees sent to work abroad. Multinational companies rely on Mercer for accurate information to compensate their skilled professionals who take on international assignments.

Forth Capital specialises in expat pensions and investments – to speak to one of our advisers, click HERE or call 00 41 22 311 1441