Philippines ranks highly as destination for expats seeking new careers

Bohol Philippines
HSBC Survey Shows Expats Choose Philippines Along With 39 Other Countries – image of Bohol, Philippines – www.plnmedia.com

The Philippines and numerous other Southeast Asia countries rate high on expats looking to find new careers – this based on a  new survey by British banking giant HSBC.

HSBC launched an ‘Expat Explorer’ survey which has been running annually for the past eight years.

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The survey shows that two-thirds of expats in the Philippines were integrating well with the local community.

Out of the 39 countries listed on the survey, the Philippines ranked 28.

The placement was ranked based on several criteria including disposable income, savings, wages, economic confidence, politics, entrepreneurship, career progression, job security, work/life balance, quality of life, culture, health, making friends, safety, integration, healthcare, property and closeness with partner, school quality and childcare quality.

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A total of 21,950 expats were among those who took and received final results related to the outcome of the information collected.

The survey showed one important factor that many expats are looking for, a higher quality of life.

HSBC also said that many expats were looking for better jobs or better balance of life.

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Singapore took first place in the survey and was a number one destination for those looking for new careers outside their own countries. The top 10 countries were as follows:

  1. Singapore
  2. New Zealand
  3. Sweden
  4. Bahrain
  5. Germany
  6. Canada
  7. Australia
  8. Taiwan
  9. United Arab Emirates
  10. Switzerland

Of the noted Southeast Asian countries in the survey the best four in the 39 locations chosen were:

  • Malaysia (20th place)
  • Thailand (21st place)
  • Vietnam (25th place)
  • Philippines (28th place)

China made it into the survey but with the recent slowdown in their economy surveyors place the country in 27th place – just one notch above the Philippines.

The survey also showed the percentages of expats from the noted 21,950 participants, and where they live currently – this time the Philippines took a major majority overall:

  • Philippines – 57%
  • Malaysia – 55%
  • Indonesia – 54%
  • Mainland China – 53%

Those surveyed said they find their new jobs more fulfilling since relocating – numerous other countries had less than 15% in these countries who say the opposite.

The Philippines was named as one of the best destinations for expats to instantly feel “at home” along with Bahrain and Spain.

Expat partners say moving was good for their relationship – 54% say the change brought them closer together in their relationship, compared to 13% who say this was not the case.

Expat partners moving to the Philippines, India and Mexico say the enjoy a closer relationship with their partner since moving – 65% of those who moved to India said they were better off, while 63% for the Philippines and 61% for Mexico.

Gigi Pio de Roda, head of HSBC Philippines said: “Expats migrate to other countries to further their career progression, expand their current knowledge and skill-set as well as boost network connections that could pave the way for a booming future.

“This involves making complex decisions in managing finances, integrating into the local culture, building a family and saving for retirement. Philippines ranks 9th in the family league table, where an expat’s relationships, education, childcare, impact of raising and integrating children abroad, are reviewed.

“Indeed, an expat in the Philippines can feel much at ‘home’ where they integrate well with the locals whose warmth and hospitality come naturally. When expats go home or leave the Philippines for another assignment, they have already gained Filipino friends for life.”

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