Singapore ranked 14th friendliest country in global survey
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Singapore has been ranked 14th in a list of the world’s friendliest countries, according to a global survey of expatriates.
The HSBC Expat Explorer surveyed over 3,300 expatriates in over 100 countries. In the initial survey,
Singapore, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates came in as the top three overall scorers.
What impressed expats living in each of these countries were improved career prospects and high incomes.
However, for the annual report by Forbes magazine on the friendliest countries, the magazine isolated the survey results to the ability and success in befriending locals, learning the native language, integrating with the local community and the assimilating into the new culture.
That's when it found Singapore fell short in helping expats to feel at home with the local community. Expats living in Singapore said that they tend to hang out with fellow expats and were more likely to send their children to international boarding schools.
So which country topped the list of 31 "friendliest" countries?
New Zealand scored the highest, with expats raving about the Kiwis’ friendliness and “pitch-in-and-help” mentality that helped expats to feel welcomed.
The country’s navigable government and good healthcare system were also draws to expats.
Australia came in second, with South Africa, Canada and the United States rounding up the top five.
The least friendliest country, according to the Forbes formula, was the United Arab Emirates.
Other notable entries were the Philippines who ranked 8th, and Malaysia, who came in at No. 10.
Of the Philippines, the report said, “This country is friendly on wallets, too: 47% report an increase in access to luxuries, including domestic staff, swimming pools, and owning properties.
On Malaysia, it said, “ Many expats here say they have learned the local language and befriended locals.
Said one respondent, “Malaysia is a peaceful country. Government transactions like tax, EPF [Employees Provident Fund], are very efficient. Food is relatively cheap. Also the country is clean and green and they respect the environment.”
The HSBC Expat Explorer surveyed over 3,300 expatriates in over 100 countries. In the initial survey,
Singapore, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates came in as the top three overall scorers.
What impressed expats living in each of these countries were improved career prospects and high incomes.
However, for the annual report by Forbes magazine on the friendliest countries, the magazine isolated the survey results to the ability and success in befriending locals, learning the native language, integrating with the local community and the assimilating into the new culture.
That's when it found Singapore fell short in helping expats to feel at home with the local community. Expats living in Singapore said that they tend to hang out with fellow expats and were more likely to send their children to international boarding schools.
So which country topped the list of 31 "friendliest" countries?
New Zealand scored the highest, with expats raving about the Kiwis’ friendliness and “pitch-in-and-help” mentality that helped expats to feel welcomed.
The country’s navigable government and good healthcare system were also draws to expats.
Australia came in second, with South Africa, Canada and the United States rounding up the top five.
The least friendliest country, according to the Forbes formula, was the United Arab Emirates.
Other notable entries were the Philippines who ranked 8th, and Malaysia, who came in at No. 10.
Of the Philippines, the report said, “This country is friendly on wallets, too: 47% report an increase in access to luxuries, including domestic staff, swimming pools, and owning properties.
On Malaysia, it said, “ Many expats here say they have learned the local language and befriended locals.
Said one respondent, “Malaysia is a peaceful country. Government transactions like tax, EPF [Employees Provident Fund], are very efficient. Food is relatively cheap. Also the country is clean and green and they respect the environment.”
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- Basil • Singapore, Central Singapore •
lol...i tot its the least friendly..oh wait...IT is the least friendly to singaporeans but most friendly to expats and prc
4 Replies - Tay • Singapore, Central Singapore •
we are friendly with $$$$ , no $$$ no friend also no talk !!! MIWs !!!
Reply - Amransan •
i am a native singaporean and in the early 70's and 80's i have to say singapore is the most friendly people i know!! no matter what race we are we will greet one another even in the lift with a smile!
17 Replies
... More - 40percent • Singapore, Central Singapore •
How to make them feel at home when we don't even feel at home.. Siao!
2 Replies - Tool • Singapore, Central Singapore •
frankly i don't think the expats can tell who is who in our country anymore. asian faces how to make out? to them we all look alike. anyway singapore is losing her soul. we are getting too kiasu (afraid to lose) and kiasi (afraid to die). who made us this way? it is too obvious. so now the next... More
2 Replies - Tan • Singapore, Central Singapore •
My wife and I went for a one-year overland back packing trip across Asia, Europe and the Middle East about 17 years ago, surprisingly (and many would find it hard to believe), the ordinary citizens in Iran were the friendliest people we have met.
Reply - Daydreamer • Singapore, Central Singapore •
i m only friendly to those expat whom r friendly, humble, respect our ppl n not arrogant, as simple as that.
7 Replies - Woak • Singapore, Central Singapore •
if this continues....FT and singaporeans...going against each other...i don't think there will be peace anymore in singapore...civil unrest ensues...not good...people...you need to calm down...no civil war please
Reply - Lionhearted •
The days of true friendship among kampung people has longed been gone ...thxs to the disastrous vision of ... that has lead to all ever-increasing conflicts between disliked FTs and native locals.
3 Replies - Davizz • Singapore, Central Singapore •
Still 14 out of 100 when we constantly discriminates against foreigners?
Reply
Not bad. - Johnny6Shots • Singapore, Central Singapore •
we need to slog hard all day n make a living which gets taken back by the "leaders" leaving us with bare minimum n sometimes with nothing at all....so seriously speaking... we dun have time to b a gracious society... the "leaders" talk easily abt making us a more gracious nation... gracious? i dun... More
Reply - Petes Tong •
Judging by the comments that have already appeared, 14th is rather generous.
5 Replies
What you all fail to understand is that MNC's will be reading this survey and either a) move elsewhere or b) not set up here.
That in turn means less jobs. - Not Aladdin • Singapore, Central Singapore •
who gives a damn about what expats think? They are the ones who hang with their own and send their kids to expensive international schools instead of local schools. They are only here for the money anyway...
2 Replies
and south africa top 5? haha huge joke..... is that why locals sleep with a gun... More
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