Today I would like to discuss Cairo in Egypt. If you were to be sent to Cairo on an expatriate assignment or if you were to relocate there, you are likely to experience weather that is desert with hot, dry summers and moderate winters. You will meet people who speak Arabic.
The cost of clothing is high compared to other places. The cost of food and beverages, as well as transport is very low compared to other places. The cost of housing is average compared to other places. Cairo is a megacity and a global city serving as the capital of Egypt. Cairo is the centre of Egypt, as it has been almost since its founding in 969 AD. 15% of all Egyptians live there. The majority of the nation's commerce is generated there, or passes through the city.
From a day to day comfort perspective, you are likely to experience extreme hardship. Be sure to negotiate an appropriate salary or allowance to compensate for the cost of living. If you live in Cairo or if you lived there recently, let us know what your experience has been. Would you live in Cairo again?
Source: Xpatulator.com
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Showing posts with label Egypt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Egypt. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Monday, March 7, 2011
North Africa and the Middle East – Expatriate Viewpoint
North Africa and the Middle East have been shaken by what could be described as a youthquake this year. What is driving it? Will it end soon? Should you accept an expatriate job in this region?
What is driving it?
A combination of factors has fueled the protests. Approximately 60% of the regions population is under the age of 30. A high proportion of graduates are unemployable as they do not have the qualifications and experience employers require. Many of these young people have not seen a change in government since they were born. The impact of the worldwide recession and rising food prices has exacerbated the situation. Aspirations are not being filled, pockets are feeling the pinch and desperation is setting in. These factors are not new. History is full of revolutions driven by a lack of what my history teacher used to call “Yummies in tummies”.
What makes it different now is that this young population is connected through technology – global television, mobile phones, the internet and social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. The days of state controlled media are well and truly over. Technology has exposed the youth to other cultures, global politics, religions, and to concepts such as freedom, democracy, and civil rights. The recent uprisings have been organized via social networks in which everyone is connected but no one stands out as the leader. How does a regime win a faceless leaderless revolt?
This new form of connectedness, allows the world to see what is happening from the ground. The News Channels, reporters and news readers also rely heavily on the man on the ground, these ordinary people have become the worlds' eyes. From reports of Gaddafi killing innocent people to the Mubarak supporters and anti-government supporters in Tahrir Square stoning and beating each other.
Will it end soon?
It is difficult to say. Each country is different, each with it's own set of challenges. It is possible that the protests may lose energy and in time the status quo reconstituted. However, unless the factors driving the change are addressed it is likely the protests will continue, but either way change is imminent.
Should you accept an expatriate job in this region?
My advice is that you do your homework before accepting an offer. Know what you are entering into. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that the whole of North Africa and the Middle East are in flames. I have spoken to many expatriates in the region who have not been affected. Obviously if you are considering an offer in Egypt, Libya, or Tunisia you should be cautious and perhaps wait or look at alternatives, these are definite hardship locations at the moment and for anyone to be considering moving to these regions, you should be looking at substantial compensation and benefits. These countries have seen mass evacuations of expatriates and civil war now looks probable in Libya.
In the Gulf States the drivers for a youthquake have been largely neutralized by shared oil and gas wealth, a focus on education, and work related skills development for citizens, ensuring lower rates of unemployment amongst the youth. In Bahrain the issues are largely about political representation. In the Gulf life has continued as it did in the past for expatriates. Expatriate life has not been affected by the turmoil in the region and, in my view, is unlikely to be affected in the foreseeable future. Expatriates are still accepting job offers and generally people are not leaving due to turmoil in the region, staff turnover overall is extremely low.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Egypt, Cairo Cost of Living January 2010
LOCATION: Egypt is in Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula.
CAPITAL CITY: Cairo
LARGEST CITY: Cairo
CURRENCY: Egyptian Pound (EGP)
ECONOMY: Egypt's economy depends mainly on agriculture, media, petroleum exports, and tourism. Egypt has a developed energy market based on coal, oil, natural gas, and hydro power. Economic conditions have started to improve considerably after a period of stagnation from the adoption of more liberal economic policies by the government. The IT sector has been expanding rapidly in the past few years, with many new start-ups conducting outsourcing business to North America and Europe, operating with companies such as Microsoft, Oracle and other major corporations, as well as numerous SME's. Cairo houses publishing houses, media outlets and film studios. Cairo is the most populous metropolitan area in Africa.
Cairo has an overall cost of living index which equates it with low cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Cairo is currently ranked 224 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 276 international locations. The cost of living overview for each of the 13 Basket Groups is as follows:
Alcohol & Tobacco costs for alcoholic beverages such as alcohol at bar, beer, locally produced spirit, whiskey, and wine as well as tobacco products such as cigarettes is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 140 out of 276.
Clothing costs for clothing and footwear products such as business suits, casual clothing, childrens clothing and footwear, coats and hats, evening wear, shoe repairs, and underwear is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 138 out of 276.
Communication costs for various communication costs such as home telephone rental and call charges, internet connection and service provider fees, mobile / cellular phone contract and calls is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 246 out of 276.
Education costs such as creche / pre-school fees, high school / college fees, primary school fees, and tertiary study fees is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 267 out of 276.
Furniture & Appliance costs for furniture, household equipment and household appliances such as dvd player, fridge freezer, iron, kettle, toaster, microwave, light bulbs, television, vacuum cleaner, and washing machine is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 235 out of 276.
Grocery costs for food, non-alcoholic beverages and cleaning material items such as baby consumables, baked goods, baking, canned foods, cheese, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fruit juices, meat, oil & vinegars, pet food, pre-prepared meals, sauces, seafood, snacks, soft drinks, spices & herbs is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 83 out of 276.
Healthcare costs for general healthcare, medical and medical insurance such as general practitioner consultation rates, hospital private ward daily rate, non-prescription medicine, and private medical insurance / medical aid contributions is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 162 out of 276.
Household costs for housing, water, electricity, household gas, household fuels, local rates and residential taxes such as house / flat mortgage, house / flat rental, household electricity consumption, household gas / fuel consumption, household water consumption, and local property rates / taxes / levies is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 206 out of 276.
Miscellaneous costs related to stationary, linen and general goods and services such as domestic help, dry cleaning, linen, office supplies, newspapers and magazines, and postage stamps is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 184 out of 276.
Personal Care costs for personal care products and services such as cosmetics, hair care, moisturizer / sun block, nappies, pain relief tablets, toilet paper, toothpaste, and soap / shampoo / conditioner is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 148 out of 276.
Recreation and Culture costs such as books, camera film, cinema ticket, DVD and CDs, sports goods, and theatre tickets is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 105 out of 276.
Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel costs such as business dinner, dinner at a restaurant (non fast food), hotel rates, take away drinks and snacks (fast food) is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 60 out of 276.
Transport costs for public transport, vehicle costs, vehicle fuel, vehicle insurance and vehicle maintenance such as hire purchase / lease of vehicle, petrol / diesel, public transport service maintenance, tires, vehicle Insurance, and vehicle purchase is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 254 out of 276.
Your exact customized cost of living index for Cairo is based on which of the above basket groups as well as the comparison location you select in the Calculators.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Cairo is ranked as a high degree of hardship location with a hardship index of 30%.
Your exact customized hardship index premium for Cairo is based on the comparison location that you select in the Calculators.
CAPITAL CITY: Cairo
LARGEST CITY: Cairo
CURRENCY: Egyptian Pound (EGP)
ECONOMY: Egypt's economy depends mainly on agriculture, media, petroleum exports, and tourism. Egypt has a developed energy market based on coal, oil, natural gas, and hydro power. Economic conditions have started to improve considerably after a period of stagnation from the adoption of more liberal economic policies by the government. The IT sector has been expanding rapidly in the past few years, with many new start-ups conducting outsourcing business to North America and Europe, operating with companies such as Microsoft, Oracle and other major corporations, as well as numerous SME's. Cairo houses publishing houses, media outlets and film studios. Cairo is the most populous metropolitan area in Africa.
Cairo has an overall cost of living index which equates it with low cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Cairo is currently ranked 224 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 276 international locations. The cost of living overview for each of the 13 Basket Groups is as follows:
Alcohol & Tobacco costs for alcoholic beverages such as alcohol at bar, beer, locally produced spirit, whiskey, and wine as well as tobacco products such as cigarettes is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 140 out of 276.
Clothing costs for clothing and footwear products such as business suits, casual clothing, childrens clothing and footwear, coats and hats, evening wear, shoe repairs, and underwear is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 138 out of 276.
Communication costs for various communication costs such as home telephone rental and call charges, internet connection and service provider fees, mobile / cellular phone contract and calls is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 246 out of 276.
Education costs such as creche / pre-school fees, high school / college fees, primary school fees, and tertiary study fees is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 267 out of 276.
Furniture & Appliance costs for furniture, household equipment and household appliances such as dvd player, fridge freezer, iron, kettle, toaster, microwave, light bulbs, television, vacuum cleaner, and washing machine is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 235 out of 276.
Grocery costs for food, non-alcoholic beverages and cleaning material items such as baby consumables, baked goods, baking, canned foods, cheese, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fruit juices, meat, oil & vinegars, pet food, pre-prepared meals, sauces, seafood, snacks, soft drinks, spices & herbs is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 83 out of 276.
Healthcare costs for general healthcare, medical and medical insurance such as general practitioner consultation rates, hospital private ward daily rate, non-prescription medicine, and private medical insurance / medical aid contributions is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 162 out of 276.
Household costs for housing, water, electricity, household gas, household fuels, local rates and residential taxes such as house / flat mortgage, house / flat rental, household electricity consumption, household gas / fuel consumption, household water consumption, and local property rates / taxes / levies is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 206 out of 276.
Miscellaneous costs related to stationary, linen and general goods and services such as domestic help, dry cleaning, linen, office supplies, newspapers and magazines, and postage stamps is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 184 out of 276.
Personal Care costs for personal care products and services such as cosmetics, hair care, moisturizer / sun block, nappies, pain relief tablets, toilet paper, toothpaste, and soap / shampoo / conditioner is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 148 out of 276.
Recreation and Culture costs such as books, camera film, cinema ticket, DVD and CDs, sports goods, and theatre tickets is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 105 out of 276.
Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel costs such as business dinner, dinner at a restaurant (non fast food), hotel rates, take away drinks and snacks (fast food) is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 60 out of 276.
Transport costs for public transport, vehicle costs, vehicle fuel, vehicle insurance and vehicle maintenance such as hire purchase / lease of vehicle, petrol / diesel, public transport service maintenance, tires, vehicle Insurance, and vehicle purchase is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 254 out of 276.
Your exact customized cost of living index for Cairo is based on which of the above basket groups as well as the comparison location you select in the Calculators.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Cairo is ranked as a high degree of hardship location with a hardship index of 30%.
Your exact customized hardship index premium for Cairo is based on the comparison location that you select in the Calculators.
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