A new report from the financial company HSBC suggests Americans are branching out now more than ever, but the top-five countries they’re relocating to are less than obvious.
HSBC (Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) claims ex-pat Americans are more likely to move now than ever before. But the top-five best countries, based on a litany of qualifiers from the report, published Tuesday by CNBC, including work-life balance, financial opportunities and career/network development, are far beyond the Eastern Hemisphere. (RELATED: Meet The Man People Are Calling The Colin Kaepernick Of The United Kingdom)
The top-five countries for ex-pats are as follows:
5.) Switzerland
4.) United Arab Emirates
3.) United Kingdom
2.) Bahrain
1.) Germany
The United Kingdom and Germany typically make the top-five list, but Germany taking the the number one slot is significant. More than 70 percent of foreign respondents claimed their quality of life had significantly improved since moving to Deutschland.
Perhaps equally as surprising is the prevalence of Middle Eastern countries in the top-five list. The UAE continues to rise in popularity as Dubai’s booming tourism industry managed to bring in almost 16 million people in 2017, more than a six percent increase in tourism compared to the year prior.
Bahrain’s another interesting one. Approximately 77 percent of ex-pats claimed to have made more money in the island nation than in their native jobs. Bahrain has made it abundantly appealing to relocate to; many jobs offer a handsome “accommodation allowance,” for those moving from abroad, as well as travel and airfare compensation and quality healthcare.