HSBC Expat Survey: Switzerland is the best place in the world to live and work

ArmInfo.HSBC Expat has found that Switzerland is considered to be the best place to live and work taking the crown from Singapore after four consecutive years at the top. This is evidenced by the 12th annual league table of the best places to live and work, by HSBC Expat.

The survey was open to adults over 18 years old currently living away from their country of origin/home territory. The survey was completed by 18,059 expats from 163 countries and territories through an online questionnaire in February and March 2019, conducted by YouGov and commissioned by HSBC Expat. A minimum sample of 100 expat respondents is required for a country or territory to be included in the league table, with 33 qualifying in 2019. According to the HSBC Expat study provided to ArmInfo by the press service of HSBC Bank Armenia, Switzerland took the first position in the 2019 rating due to high salaries, a stable economy and good prospects for children. In particular, eighty-two per cent of those in Switzerland say they have seen an improvement in their quality of life since moving there. Seventy per cent say the surroundings are cleaner and more pleasant than in their home country and 42 per cent feel physically healthier since moving, above the global average of 33 per cent.

Financial factors have also contributed to the country's success in HSBC's league table. Seven in 10 (71 per cent) of those who have moved to Switzerland now enjoy higher levels of disposable income with their average salary being $111,587, well above the global mean of $75,966. With the major Swiss city of Zurich being one of the world's premier financial hubs, one in five (19 per cent) foreign young professionals in the country work in the financial services industry. Singapore, holding the leadership in the HSBC Expat rating for the past four years, is now in second place. The third position was taken by Canada, the fourth - Spain, and the fifth - New Zealand. The top ten also includes Australia, Turkey, Germany, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Vietnam. The authors of the research note that young professionals who move abroad before their 35th birthday see bigger increases to their earnings and get promoted more quickly.

They see average wage increases of 35 per cent after relocating overseas, with the average salary rising from $40,358 to $54,484. This is far higher than for older professionals - earnings for 35-54 year olds increase by just under a quarter (24 per cent), and the over 55s see an average nine per cent increase, when moving for work '' Contrary to backpacking millennial stereotypes, younger people are more likely to move abroad to progress their career (47 per cent) and increase their salary (29 per cent) than any other age group - and it is paying off. Thirty-one per cent are promoted more quickly as a result, while 71 per cent have picked up new skills. Meanwhile, 55 per cent say they are more confident and 36 per cent believe they have become more creative'', the research reads. Generation rent are also putting property ownership high on their agenda, according to HSBC's research. Buying a house is the top financial priority for 18 to 34 year olds who move abroad for work, with 45 per cent of them already on the property ladder in at least one country and six per cent owning homes in two different countries. Paul Edgar, HSBC Bank Armenia Chief Executive Officer, said, "The survey shows that young professionals around the globe are ready to move and progress their career elsewhere. It also shows that their decision to move is influenced not only by financial and career considerations, but also to improve the quality of life. This trend is now evident everywhere in the world, including Armenia, where many young professional move to different locations to progress in their career and improve the quality of life. As the largest global banking and financial services organization, which strives to help people to fulfil their hopes and realize their ambitions, HSBC is fully tailored to address the financial needs of the customers deciding to move abroad."

According to the National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia, 7145 foreign nationals received RA resident cards in 2018. Majority of them are citizens of India (1907), the Russian Federation (1135) and Iran (1130). 1710 out of 7145 foreign nationals received permanent resident cards, while 5435 foreigners received temporary residence permits. Most of those with permanent resident cards are citizens of the CIS countries (1067) and the EU countries (67). To note, HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London. The Group serves more than 39 million customers worldwide in 66 countries and territories in Europe, Asia, North and Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa. With assets of US$2,66 bn at 31 March 2019, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC offers banking services to individuals as well as to corporate and institutional clients. HSBC Bank Armenia cjsc was established in 1996.

The bank is a joint venture between the HSBC Group, which has 70 per cent ownership, and a member of overseas Armenian business with 30 per cent ownership. HSBC Armenia serves around 30 000 customers through eight offices located in Yerevan and around 392 employees. As of 31 December 31, 2018, the bank has assets of AMD 268 billion including the ones, allocated with the mediation of the HSBC Holdings plc.