- Oslo, Norway tops the cost of living ranking
- Santiago climbs 22 places in global ranking to 134th place
June 6, 2013 (MMD Newswire) -- For the first time in three years, Tokyo is no longer the most expensive location for international assignees. The city has been overtaken by Norway's capital Oslo, and now lies in sixth place in the ranking. These were among the findings of the latest cost of living research by ECA International, the world's leader in providing solutions for the management of international assignments.
At the top of the global list, Oslo is followed by the Angolan capital of Luanda, where the goods and services commonly purchased by expatriates are difficult to access and command a premium. Stavanger (Norway), Juba (South Sudan) and Moscow (Russia) are also now more expensive than Tokyo. These cities make up the top 5 most expensive locations for expatriates globally.
"Tokyo has always been an expensive place for global companies to send staff, and, despite its five-place fall since last year, that remains the case," said Lauren Smith, General Manager ECA International New York. "The significant depreciation of the Yen against other major currencies in recent months is the primary reason for this drop. It means that for many companies, the cost of maintaining their assignees' purchasing power while posted there has fallen. But it's important not to exaggerate the position - Tokyo is still the world's sixth most expensive city, and the most expensive in Asia."
Following a fall down the ranking a year ago, Santiago has climbed 22 places up the global list to 134th position. It has overtaken a number of US locations including Dallas and Philadelphia European capitals Lisbon and Edinburgh. The price of items in ECA's cost of living basket have increased at 4% on average - slower than the 6.5% rate of inflation observed a year ago. However, the peso has appreciated against the US dollar and other major currencies during that period outweighing the impact of slower price inflation.
Within the Americas, the Chilean capital is the 31st most expensive location.
Companies sending employees on international assignment will often pay an allowance to ensure that their assignees' spending power is not compromised. To help multinational companies calculate these allowances, ECA carries out two Cost of Living Surveys per year, comparing a basket of consumer goods and services commonly purchased by assignees in more than 400 locations worldwide.
Living costs for assignees are affected by inflation, availability of goods and exchange rates, all of which can have a significant impact on assignee remuneration packages. Certain living costs such as accommodation rental, utilities charges, car purchases and school fees are usually compensated for separately in expatriate packages so this data is not included in this survey but researched and published separately.
Americas - more highlights
Despite dropping down the ranking, Caracas, ranked 33rd globally, remains the most expensive location in the Americas for international assignees. Manhattan and Vancouver follow, ranking 43rd and 51st respectively.
In Brazil, the weakening of the real against many major currencies over the year has more than offset the 6% price increase overall of items in ECA's cost of living basket for Brazil and locations there continue to drop down the global ranking. While Rio de Janeiro is the 4th most expensive location in the Americas, it has dropped 20 places globally to 52nd spot. Sao Paulo is now in 65th place worldwide down from last year's 37th position.
The economic situation in Argentina remains complicated. Despite showing signs of slowing, inflation there is still above 20% while the black-market peso exchange rate in Argentina has soared. Buenos Aires has risen from 76th to 64th position in the global cost of living ranking. Two years ago it ranked 130.
Managua, Nicaragua (248th) has the cheapest cost of living for expatriates in the Americas.
Rest of the world highlights
Europe
Oslo not only has the most expensive cost of living for international assignees in Europe, but also the world. Norway has among the highest standards of living in the world, largely derived from oil revenue. While prices there have increased little in the last year, the free-floating Norwegian Krone has remained strong, reflecting the country's relative economic resilience.
Within Europe, the Norwegian capital is followed by Stavanger (3rd globally) and Moscow (5th). The Russian Rouble has weakened between surveys against major currencies but the cost of goods and services in ECA's basket in Moscow has nevertheless increased more than 10% again this year.
Despite falls in prices and the Swiss Franc weakening against other major currencies over the past year, Swiss locations remain among the top ten most expensive locations for expatriates in the world.
British locations are among those in the region to have fallen most in the ranking. Central London dropped 21 places and is currently in 87th place globally, largely as a result of the pound depreciating against other major currencies.
The Eurozone debt crisis still affects much of Europe and cost of living in many locations across the region fell as a result of the weak euro and low inflation compared with other regions.
Chisinau, capital of Moldova, is the cheapest European location in terms of cost of living for international assignees. It ranks 225th globally.
Asia
Within Asia, Japanese cities still dominate the top of the cost of living ranking - 4 of the region's top 5 most expensive locations are found there. Seoul joins them, having jumped from 7th to 3rd most expensive Asian location (and from 29th to 14th globally). Not only have the prices of goods and services there increased at a faster rate than the previous year, but the Won has also strengthened against major currencies thereby pushing up costs there for many international assignees.
Beijing (24th globally), Shanghai (26th), Singapore (36th) and Hong Kong (38th) complete the list of the top 10 most expensive locations in Asia. On average, prices of items in ECA's cost of living basket for Chinese locations have increased little or even seen small decreases this year. As a result, Chinese locations have fallen slightly down the ranking but the on-going strength of the Yuan against major currencies has prevented them from dropping too far.
Indian locations continue to be among the region's cheapest in terms of cost of living for international assignees. New Delhi, ranked 200th position globally is followed by Mumbai (215th).
Karachi, ranked 256th globally, is the least expensive Asian location for expatriates.
Australia
For the first time in recent years, all the Australian cities have seen slight falls down the global ranking. While the Aussie dollar remains a strong global currency, it has weakened against some major currencies. Additionally, the rate at which prices have increased has slowed since a year ago.
Sydney remains the most expensive of the Australian locations surveyed. It is in 17th position globally followed by Canberra (23rd).
Middle East
Tel Aviv ranked 37th globally remains the most expensive location for assignees in the Middle East. Dubai has gained 8 places and is positioned 174th worldwide.
Despite rampant inflation, the introduction of a floating exchange rate in Iran has seen Tehran plummet down the cost of living ranking to become the cheapest location listed. At the official rate, however, the city would be among the world's top 10 most costly, illustrating the dramatic impact of currency value on the global ranking.
Africa
Four of the world's 20 most expensive expatriate locations are in Africa: Luanda (2nd globally), Juba (4th), Brazzaville (18th) and Kinshasa (19th). The cost of exporting and transporting items commonly purchased by international assignees in these locations are likely to be high. In addition, the commodity boom in recent years has led to currency appreciations in commodity-exporting markets
like Angola. South African locations Durban (253rd globally) and Cape Town (251st) are among some of the cheapest locations in the world while locations in Malawi are those to have seen the continent's biggest falls down the ranking. Cost of living there has fallen significantly following the devaluation of the kwacha after the government was recommended by the IMF to float the currency.
Ends
ECA's new blog, MoneyMoves, provides updates and commentary on currency, inflation and expatriate cost of living. Follow the blog here: http://ecamoneymoves.com/
Notes to Editors
Figures used in this release were taken from ECA's Cost of Living Survey.
Follow ECA on twitter: https://twitter.com/ecaintl
About ECA's Cost of Living Survey
ECA International's cost of living indices are calculated based upon surveys carried out annually in March and September using a basket of day-to-day goods and services. The data used above refers to year-on-year movements between ECA's March 2013 and 2012 surveys.
The data is used by ECA clients to calculate cost of living allowances for assignees. The survey covers:
Food: Groceries; dairy produce; meat and fish; fresh fruit and vegetables
Basic: Drink and tobacco; miscellaneous goods; services
General: Clothing; electrical goods; motoring; meals out
Certain living costs such as accommodation rental, utilities charges (electricity, gas, water), car purchases and school fees are not included in the survey. Such items can make a significant
difference to expenses but are usually compensated for separately in expatriate packages.
This comparison of cost of living was calculated on a base composed of various developed countries and is used to reflect an international lifestyle. Other indices available from ECA reflect specific city-to-city comparisons, and different levels of shopping efficiency.
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About ECA International ECA is the world's leader in the development and provision of solutions for the management and assignment of employees around the world. Delivering data, expertise, systems and support in formats which suit its clients, ECA's offer includes a complete 'out-source' package of calculations, advice and services for companies with little international assignment management experience or resource; subscriptions to comprehensive online information and software systems for companies with larger requirements; and custom policy and system development projects for companies who manage thousands of international assignees around the world.
For further information or to interview an ECA International spokesperson about these findings, please contact:
Lauren Smith
General Manager
ECA International LLC
lauren.smith@eca-international.com
Tel: +1 212 582 2333
