Economy - Expat Magazine

Saving while living abroad: is it really that hard?
Saving while living abroad: is it really that hard?
A study by Insight Discovery found that one in five expat in Gulf Cooperation Countries fail to save any of their salary. Higher wages, however, is often why people want to settle abroad. What are the pitfalls to avoid?
The most promising Asian countries for foreign investors
The most promising Asian countries for foreign investors
Besides being a cultural melting pot, Asia can boast of its conducive business environment which has been attracting foreign investors in large numbers. Benefits of investing in Asia are many – including fast-growing economies, strategic location and access to a vast consumer market. If you're looking to launch your startup in Asia and thrive, here are some of the most promising countries for foreign investment.
Living abroad? You need this post-Christmas survival guide
Living abroad? You need this post-Christmas survival guide
December is all about excitement, anticipation, and high levels of energy, which are required to get us through all the shopping and cooking frenzy of the festive season. Then, Christmas Day comes and along with it the pick of our happiness. Wherever we are, and whoever is surrounding us, we are doing our best to make our Christmas special. But the day is over, and on the 26th we wake up underwhelmed. If we have spent the holidays in our host country, far away from family and close friends, this is usually a day of nostalgia and heavy symptoms of homesickness. Don't shut your emotions down, but do small things instead to boost your spirits again. After all, you have the New Year to get you going.
Where will you get the highest salary in Europe
Where will you get the highest salary in Europe
As we're getting closer to the end of the year, you're perhaps among those who are assessing their career and planning for the future. If you're looking to enjoy a higher standard of living and higher wages, moving abroad can be the answer. Below is an overview of the European countries offering the highest salaries.
The most powerful financial hubs
The most powerful financial hubs
Home to many of the world's largest companies and most government and financial institutions, global financial hubs play a crucial role in defining success. If you're looking to invest or expand your business abroad, connectivity, infrastructure, efficient regulatory frameworks and tax benefits are some of the factors you might be looking for. Expat.com gives you an insight into the global financial hubs around the world according to a study by Z/Yen Group.
Where to move for the most retirement benefits
Where to move for the most retirement benefits
If you're planning a long-term move abroad with the hope of becoming a permanent resident and, after that, apply for citizenship, many questions have to be addressed. For those who are still working but looking to retire, retirement pension is a determining factor. Will you enjoy a better standard of living and other benefits when retiring in your new country? If you're still unsure, have a look at some of the world's best pension systems.
The world's most competitive countries at a glance
The world's most competitive countries at a glance
Competitiveness is a crucial factor to take into account if you're looking for new career or business prospects abroad. The latest Global Competitiveness Report highlights the strengths and weaknesses of every country around the world. As expected, the USA, Singapore, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Denmark make it in the top ten. Have a look at the world's most competitive countries in 2018.
Generation Z in the global labour market
Generation Z in the global labour market
If you're currently pursuing higher studies or you have just graduated, you're probably looking at career prospects that are within reach. Universum conducted a research among students living in twelve of the world's largest economies. Find out more about the long-term ambitions and expectations of Generation Z from the global labour market.
Where are the world's largest megacities
Where are the world's largest megacities
When moving abroad, many of us prefer a big-city life for various reasons including economic prosperity, opportunities available, the level of infrastructure, and the presence of amenities. To help you choose wisely according to your long-term plans, here's an insight into the world's largest cities and megacities of the future.
Which are the world's most economically-free countries
Which are the world's most economically-free countries
If you're looking to start a business overseas, economic freedom is perhaps something you have never thought of. There are numerous elements to take into account when investing abroad, including market access, competitiveness, security, property rights, and adequate legal frameworks and judicial systems. To help you choose wisely, here's an insight into six of the world's most economically-free countries and their benefits for businesses.
Common misconceptions about the Middle East debunked
Common misconceptions about the Middle East debunked
Today, the Middle East suffers from a somewhat negative social and political image spread by the media. However, the region can boast of some of the world's fastest developing economies including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar that have been attracting many foreign professionals in the past years. If you're looking for better career prospects and a higher standard of living, why don't you try your luck in those places? Here are some of the most common misconceptions about the Middle East debunked for those who never dared to take the leap of faith.
The world's wealthiest countries at a glance
The world's wealthiest countries at a glance
For professionals, entrepreneurs and investors looking for new opportunities overseas, economic and financial stability is a crucial factor. Which are the countries where you're more likely to thrive and prosper? Expat.com gives you an insight into five of the world's wealthiest countries according to the Wealth-X World Ultra Wealth Report 2018.
Future predictions about business and consumption in China
Future predictions about business and consumption in China
China, currently the world's largest economy after the United States, aspires and takes drastic actions to become number one before 2030 by transitioning to a consumption-driven development model. Although there are risks of failure, which may lead to uneven economic growth, protectionism, and nationalism instead, China is most likely going to play an even bigger role on the global economic stage, while it restructures its policies and regulations, and improves the quality of life of its citizens. Here are eight predictions about China's business and consumption future as presented by the World Economic Forum, based on China's commitment to innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Where do Arab countries stand in the world competitiveness ranking
Where do Arab countries stand in the world competitiveness ranking
The Arab world's competitiveness is promising, as long as the countries in the region commit to economic and social reforms, and accomplish the erosion of persisting inequalities. One solution for a more open and prosperous economy in the Arab world is for its countries to further invest in an entrepreneurial private sector, which will create employment opportunities for the youth. In general, the Arab world needs to diversify its economy by shifting from natural resources to dynamic entrepreneurship, and at the same time fund education, innovation, and connectivity projects.
The best countries to retire in
The best countries to retire in
Today, more and more seniors are looking to retire overseas. Many countries are attracting retirees from around the world by providing not only a high standard of living and quality of life but also a range of financial benefits. Expat.com gives you an insight into the best countries to retire in according to the Global Retirement Index 2018 by Natixis.
The most attractive cities to Millennials
The most attractive cities to Millennials
Millennials demand flexibility at work, push off marriage until they have established their career and have become financially stable, and are more interested in experiences than homeownership. These digital, entrepreneurial, and well-travelled young people cherish change and are keen to take up the challenge of relocation. But where do Millennials flock to, and what are their criteria for liking a place? Nestpick, a global accommodation website, has ranked 110 cities based on professional opportunities, good quality of life, tolerance, and recreation. Here are the five most popular urban centres among Millennials for this year.
Millennials: Poorer than their parents?
Millennials: Poorer than their parents?
To understand how generations interact with one another, the Resolution Foundation, a British think tank, has convened an Intergenerational Commission. While generations share common living space — whether it is in the form of family or the broader society — the IC is studying how they can live better together, and how the younger population can be better off than their parents. Going beyond the unlucky timing of the global economic crisis, the side effects of which Millennials have felt the most, IC is trying to renew the social contract between generations.
The global migration picture
The global migration picture
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the international migrant population is steadily growing as the movement has become easier thanks to the digital revolution and more affordable travel costs. In 2015 there were about 244 million international migrants — 89 million more than the number of migrants in the year 2000. In most cases, people are moving to high-income countries for work in the service sector. If done in a humane and orderly way, IOM believes that migration is beneficial for both the society and migrants, and can boost the global social and economic development.