The HSBC Expat Explorer is a survey where more than 3,385 expatriates answer questions on life overseas - from finances and quality of life, to raising children abroad. Based on the responses, the best countries for expats to work in are arrived at.

2011 Rankings Of The Best Countries For Expatriates

This year, when expats were asked what their ideal expat destination would be, the most popular countries were Australia (10%), the USA (10%) and Singapore (9%), followed by Hong Kong (7%), Canada (7%), and the UK (5%).

Expats’ reasons for selecting these countries tend to fall into two categories:

Canada, Australia and Singapore are rated highly in terms of Expat Experience and consequently are likely to be chosen for a better quality of life. These destinations are more likely to encourage long term expat settlement with many expats stating that they are planning to remain in their current country for the foreseeable future.

On the other hand, expats who think Hong Kong, the UK and the USA, are the ideal expat destinations are more likely to choose these destinations because of career and money prospects. Responses from the majority of expats living in these locations suggest that they are seen as ideal destinations for a short period of time in order to help expats develop professionally.

While most countries fall into one of these two categories, expats who think Singapore is the ideal destination are likely to choose it both because of a better quality of life and career prospects. Singapore, it seems, is unique and can give expats the best of both worlds.