Features

Your employer has just placed you on an international assignment, and you wish to know what living standards to expect in your new city. Mercer, the largest human resources consulting group, ranks the quality of living for 2018 in 231 cities based on different categories — from the political and social environment, economic conditions, healthcare, and education, to public services, housing, natural environment, recreation, and availability of goods. Expat.com presents the five most competitive cities in the world when it comes to good quality of life and attraction of global talent and foreign investment.

The human population is growing at a fast rate, resource demand is increasing, polluted water is wasted, and climate change aggravates droughts and floods. This year's World Water Day is about finding nature-based solutions to overcome the current water challenges. Reforestation, restoration of wetlands, and sustainable management of freshwater and wastewater can rebalance the water cycle and improve billions of immediately affected people's well-being worldwide.

The benefits of forests for Earth and all of us who are on it are plentiful — they absorb carbon and reduce the effects of climate change, cool the air, scale down noise pollution, filter water, prevent flooding, and are home to a vibrant biodiversity. This year, if your expat project is unfolding in any of the countries below, you are very lucky because they have some fantastic forests to celebrate the International Day of Forests in.

To make the most of your expat project, it is very important to stay healthy in your host country. Depending on where you are settling, there are different health risks to consider and preventive measures to take. For example, in Ghana, you should beware of malaria and in the UK of colds and the seasonal flu. However, we have composed a universal guide to good personal health. So stop procrastinating your new healthy routine and enjoy your expatriation while you are in the best of health.

In the past five years, the global cost of living has dropped from 85.5% to 74% — great news expats and expats-to-be, isn't it? How ever, before we cause a stir, we would like to point out that even though during 2017 the world witnessed the fastest economic growth since 2011, the cost of living is fluctuating depending on various indicators; and it's often quite unpredictable. This article looks into the ten most expensive cities for 2018, stemming from the Worldwide Cost of Living report, which has studied 133 cities and the prices of 160 products and services. Money, they say, don't bring happiness. What if, in some cities, they do? 

Travel and leisure are an unquestionable part of the expat life. In Europe, the close proximity of different cities offer an amazing opportunity to go and explore your new home and neighbouring cities and all that they have to offer. So if you're moving to Europe, Expat.com offers you some insight into the most beautiful Instagrammed cities, according to a survey conducted by Hertz.

European countries such as Spain, Portugal, and Malta are popular among pensioners, though many are unable to afford to retire there. Greece, however, offers a similar quality of life at a lower cost.

Competitiveness is a key factor to take into account for those looking for new career prospects abroad, whether you're a foreign professional or an entrepreneur. To help you choose the best destination according to your project, have a look at the world's topmost competitive countries according to The Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2018, released by the Adecco Group in collaboration with INSEAD and Tata Communications.

Career prospects, costs of living, quality of life, and leisure are only some of the various factors taken into account by those planning to move abroad. To help you choose the best destination, Expat.com gives you an insight into the world's best cities for expat careers and in terms of affordability, education, culture, and leisure, according to the latest HSBC Expat Explorer Survey report.

London, Dublin, Paris, Amsterdam, or Munich are probably the major cities that come to mind if you're planning to set up a business in Europe, and you're definitely not wrong. On the other hand, many other smallers cities are also quite attractive to those looking for new business prospects. Expat.com gives you an insight into five European cities you may not have thought of but that have a high investment potential according to a new report issued by FDI Intelligence.

From choosing your next destination to formalities and many other issues, setting up a business abroad involves proper planning. If you have always dreamed of being your own boss while living overseas, here are some tips to help you get started.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. What about wellness, especially when you're living thousands of miles away from your home, your family, and everything that used to be part of your everyday life? Expat.com had a look at how expatriates define wellness according to a study carried out by Aetna International insurance.

A successful move abroad generally involves having a better understanding of your new home from a historical point of view. For those who are passionate about history, going on an adventurous trip to discover historical sites and monuments will probably be a part of your plans. Before you get started, Expat.com gives you an insight into some of the countries with the richest histories.

Learning a new language is often part of the challenge for expats seeking to move overseas. If you're feeling apprehensive about how to adapt, engage in conversations comfortably, and deal with all the paperwork, why not consider moving to a country where English is widely spoken? Expat.com gives you an insight into the best destinations for English-speaking expats.

Whether a country is strongly democratic or not can have a significant impact on your move. Have you ever wondered which are the countries that care the most about their citizens' rights and freedom? Expat.com gives you an insight into the Democracy Index 2017 released by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Singapore regularly tops the list of the most expensive cities in the world. In 2023, it tied with Zurich in first place among the most expensive cities in the world, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The same year, a report by Mercer called Singapore the best city for expats in Asia. However, in recent years, Singapore has been experiencing a continuous exodus of expats. Even those who have called it home for a long time are starting to reconsider.

The tech world, already shaken in 2022-2023, is still in turmoil. As AI continues to develop, other sectors will come under the scrutiny of multinational corporations. What does this mean for aspiring expats? Should this be seen as a risk for international recruitment?

To stand out on the international job market and further strengthen the position of the European Union, the European Commission announced the creation of a European diploma. What does this mean for potential international students in Europe?