Career Prospects, Financial Security And Top-Class Standards Of Living Lift UAE Up Rankings Of World’s Best Places To Live And Work
Internationally-minded professionals seeking career progression, financial security and a great place to raise a family increasingly rank the United Arab Emirates as the world’s best place to live and work, according to the HSBC Expat Annual League Table.
Young professionals are a particular driver of the UAEs’ ranking in HSBC’s 12th Expat Explorer survey, with 62% of Millennial expats citing career progression as a key reason for relocating – a huge 15 points above the global average.
The top-most financial priorities for UAE expats remain saving and investing for retirement (82%), children’s education (47%) and property (43%).
The vote of confidence in the UAE from those aged 35 years or younger helped lift the country up one spot in the annual rankings to become the world’s 9th best place to live and work.
| Country | Rank |
| Switzerland | 1 |
| Singapore | 2 |
| Canada | 3 |
| Spain | 4 |
| New Zealand | 5 |
| Australia | 6 |
| Turkey | 7 |
| Germany | 8 |
| United Arab Emirates | 9 |
| Vietnam | 10 |
Around 35% of the Millennial cohort said their move had resulted in quicker promotions compared to their home country, while the salary uplift they get in the UAE is the highest globally, with an average young executive adding 51% to their annual income – more than any other age group.
Commenting on the findings, Marwan Hadi, Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, HSBC UAE, said: “The UAE’s rise to the 9th best place to live and work is a great recognition of the economic diversification and world-class infrastructure the country offers. While earning potential and career growth is what brings people here, it’s the improved quality of life and safe environment that keeps them here for good, according to the survey.”
UAE Expats are here to stay
Aside from living the good-life, a whopping 83% of people who relocated to the UAE said they feel safer and more secure than in their home country, compared to 48% of movers globally.
Many expats are looking to stay in the UAE for the long haul. Since moving to the UAE, 46% of all UAE expats expect to stay for at least 5 to 10+ years.
