International Cost of Living April 2018

April 2018 international expat cost of living comparison rankings for world cities and countries.

https://www.xpatulator.com/cost-of-living-article/International-Cost-of-Living-April-2018_719.cfm

The Most Expensive Countries in the World - April 2018

The top ten most expensive countries in the world as at April 2018 comprise two from Africa Angola (1); Central African Republic (7), three from Europe Norway (2); Switzerland (4); Denmark (6), four from America Bermuda (3); Cayman Islands (5); Bahamas (9); Montserrat (10), and one from Asia Pacific Japan (8).
Angola is the most expensive country in the world for expatriate professional migrants mainly because almost all international standard goods and services have to be imported, as a result there are price premiums due to demand constantly exceeding supply. The extremely costly safe expatriate accommodation, imported produce and costly international private schooling are among the main factors that have kept Angola at the top of the world rankings. A rented house in a guarded community (recommended due to the threat of violent crime) can cost between US$8 000 and US$12 000 per month.
https://www.xpatulator.com/cost-of-living-article/The-Most-Expensive-Countries-in-the-World-for-Expatriate-Professional-Migrants_717.cfm

Angola is Unbelievably Expensive

Angola is unbelievably expensive, and it will get more expensive before it gets cheaper. Here is why.

Angola’s new President Joao Lourenco has vowed to revive the economy, attract investment and combat the endemic corruption, and he is acting fast. Growth should reach 5 percent in the medium-term.

The demand for expatriate goods and services in Angola has exceeded supply since the dawn of peace after many years of economic stagnation despite immense oil wealth due to the post-independence civil war. By expatriate goods and services, I refer to international premium brands (food, clothing, and other consumables), international schools, excellent healthcare, and safe quality accommodation.

While there has been a great deal of improvement since my first trip to Angola in 1997, when Luanda looked to me like a city in a time-warp set permanently in war-torn 1975....

https://www.xpatulator.com/cost-of-living-article/Angola-is-Unbelievably-Expensive_726.cfm

International City Cost of Living for Expatriate Professional Migrants - April 2018

Luanda is the most expensive city in the world for an expatriate professional migrant to live in as at April 2018, followed by Hong Kong and Singapore. The top ten most expensive cities in the world comprise two from Africa, Luanda (1); Bangui (10), three from Asia-Pacific, Hong Kong (2); Singapore (3); Tokyo (8), three from Europe, Zurich (4); Oslo (5); Geneva (6), and two from America, Hamilton (7); Manhattan NY (9).
https://www.xpatulator.com/cost-of-living-article/International-City-Cost-of-Living-for-Expatriate-Professional-Migrants_716.cfm

2018 Asia Pacific Expat Cost of Living

Hong Kong is the overall most expensive ciy in Asia-Pacific and is the second most expensive city in the world (after Luanda) as at January 2018, mainly due to extremely high housing costs, as well as high cost of schooling and limited space available making rentals high.

Singapore remains the second most expensive city in the Asia-Pacific region for expatriates (3rd most expensive in the world) and tops the region rankings when costs related to housing, education, medical and transport are excluded.

Tokyo is the third most expensive city in Asia-Pacific, and 8th globally. Japanese locations have remained high in the rankings with 5 cities in the Asia-Pacific top 10 most expensive places.

Shanghai is the fourth most expensive place for expatriates in the Asia-Pacific region, and 12th globally.

https://www.xpatulator.com/cost-of-living-article/Asia-Pacific-Expat-Cost-of-Living-Comparison_709.cfm