Taiwan ranks 8th in global expat destination survey

2015/10/20

Taiwan retains eighth spot in the latest Expat Explorer report published by HSBC, with respondents nominating it as one of the most popular destinations to live and work overseas.

In the survey’s three key areas covering 27 criteria, Taiwan finished 18th in economics, down from last year’s ninth; fifth in experience, up from seventh; and 15th in family, up from 18th.

Among the 39 countries and territories covered by the report, Taiwan is ahead of Hong Kong at 11th, Japan at 24th and mainland China at 27th. The top three positions went to Singapore, New Zealand and Sweden in that order.

According to the survey, Taiwan is Asia’s hidden experience capital, with 55 percent of expatriates attracted by the local culture, 70 percent describing socializing as easy and 66 percent integrating well with the locals.

The report attributed these figures to Taiwan’s ranking as one of the safest countries for expats, a finding supported by 84 percent of respondents. In addition, nearly 75 percent of parents involved in the study state that Taiwan is a safer place for children than their home countries and territories.

Taiwan’s No. 2 finish behind New Zealand in the people category reaffirmed the country’s reputation as one of the friendliest places in Asia. Expats also have little difficulty setting in, with 13 percent and 11 percent, respectively, experiencing difficulties in organizing health care and finding accommodation.

The online survey, carried out between March and May, involved 21,950 internationally based expats. It is one of the largest and longest-running reports of its kind in the world.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=237884&ctNode=2194&mp=9)