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The Best Countries for Expats

Best Countries for Expats

If you chose to move from your current country of residence, where would be the best place for you to go? That's the question this year's HSBC Expat Explorer Survey 2009 is trying to uncover.The report focuses on the experiences of expats and their ease of integration into local society, compared to the country in which they used to live. The rankings are based on a set of 23 criteria measuring quality of life and ease of integration that were answered by over 3,100 expats living in 26 different
Photo: Bruno De Hogues | Getty Images

If you chose to move from your current country of residence, where would be the best place for you to go? That's the question this year's HSBC Expat Explorer Survey 2009 is trying to uncover.

The report focuses on the experiences of expats and their ease of integration into local society, compared to the country in which they used to live. The rankings are based on a set of 23 criteria measuring quality of life and ease of integration that were answered by over 3,100 expats living in 26 different countries.

Overall, the study found that expats enjoy a better life in their new country, as a majority of respondents indicated an increase in their quality of life. The study also found that the most influential factors in an expat's quality of life are their commute to work, accommodation and transportation.

So, what are the best countries for expats? click ahead to find out!

By Paul Toscano
Posted 3 Dec 2009

10. Hong Kong

Commute to Work: 2Organizing Finances: 2Transport: 2Making Friends: 3Education/Childcare: 3
Photo: AP

5 Best Category Ranks
Commute to Work: 2
Organizing Finances: 2
Transport: 2
Making Friends: 3
Education/Childcare: 3

9. Spain

Quality of Health: 1Working Hours: 4Family Life: 5Social Life: 5Commute to Work: 6
Photo: Travel Pix Ltd. | Getty Images

5 Best Category Ranks
Quality of Health: 1
Working Hours: 4
Family Life: 5
Social Life: 5
Commute to Work: 6

8. United States

Learning the Language: 1Clothing: 1Household Goods: 1Entertainment: 3Accommodation: 3
Photo: Getty Images

5 Best Category Ranks
Learning the Language: 1
Clothing: 1
Household Goods: 1
Entertainment: 3
Accommodation: 3

7. France

Healthcare: 1Food: 1Quality of Health: 4Family Life: 4Local Community Groups: 5
Photo: AP

5 Best Category Ranks
Healthcare: 1
Food: 1
Quality of Health: 4
Family Life: 4
Local Community Groups: 5

6. South Africa

Hobbies: 1Made Local Friends: 2Social Life: 3Quality of Health: 3Finding Somewhere to Live: 3
Photo: AP

5 Best Category Ranks
Hobbies: 1
Made Local Friends: 2
Social Life: 3
Quality of Health: 3
Finding Somewhere to Live: 3

5. Bahrain

Working Hours: 1Social Life: 1Organizing Finances: 1Community Groups: 1Finding Somewhere to Live: 2
Photo: Walter Bibikow | image bank| Getty Images

5 Best Category Ranks
Working Hours: 1
Social Life: 1
Organizing Finances: 1
Community Groups: 1
Finding Somewhere to Live: 2

4. Singapore

Setting up Utilities: 1Education/Childcare: 2Utilities: 3Commute to Work: 4Organizing Health Care: 4
Photo: iStock Photo

5 Best Category Ranks
Setting up Utilities: 1
Education/Childcare: 2
Utilities: 3
Commute to Work: 4
Organizing Health Care: 4

3. Thailand

Finding a Place to Live: 1Making Friends: 1Entertainment: 2Accommodation: 2Organizing Health Care: 2
Photo: AP

5 Best Category Ranks
Finding a Place to Live: 1
Making Friends: 1
Entertainment: 2
Accommodation: 2
Organizing Health Care: 2

2. Australia

Organizing Finances: 1Family Life: 3Hobbies: 3Learning the Language: 3Quality of Health: 5
Photo: Image Source | Getty Images

5 Best Category Ranks
Organizing Finances: 1
Family Life: 3
Hobbies: 3
Learning the Language: 3
Quality of Health: 5

1. Canada

Accommodation: 1Setting up Utilities: 2Making Local Friends: 2Family Life: 2Hobbies: 2
Photo: Getty Images

5 Best Category Ranks
Accommodation: 1
Setting up Utilities: 2
Making Local Friends: 2
Family Life: 2
Hobbies: 2