Career opportunities are the key driver for expats heading to UAE

by Aaron Strutt

Aug 12 2013

Over the past five years, Australia, Canada and New Zealand topped the NatWest Quality of Life Index produced by NatWest. This year sees New Zealand fall out of the top three to fifth position with the third ranking being taken by UAE. Career opportunities are the key driver for expats heading to UAE (75%). Only 8% of respondents believe they will stay in UAE for ever with the majority (92%) consider themselves as on "temporary assignment". A large disposable income is enjoyed by 96% of those living in UAE, Hong Kong, China and Singapore on a temporary basis.

Dave Isley of NatWest International, says: "The most notable shifts in our Quality of Life results this year is the rise of the UAE as an expat destination. The once loved traditional expat communities of France, Spain & Portugal are diminishing, with quality of life drastically reducing for expats living there, making way for newcomers such as UAE and Singapore. It seems expats are willing to adjust their lifestyle in exchange for a stronger economy and better job opportunities."

"Falling property prices, austerity measures and fears over job security are prompting 63% of expats in Europe to consider returning to the UK. Expats living in Spain are feeling the pinch the most where unemployment stands at almost 20%. A third (32%) of respondents in Europe said they were already looking into returning to the UK."

The report from NatWest also explains that Singapore is increasingly attracting expats particularly those from the UK and Europe. It goes onto explain that Singapore has built a reputation for offering a good quality of life, as well as a range of interesting career opportunities. Expats living in Singapore have higher average incomes and greater wealth than expats living anywhere else in the world.

Trinity Financial has seen a huge increase in the amount of expats buying property in the UK and we have access to a host of specialist banks and building societies offering expat rates. If you are living overseas and would like help to secure a mortgage, call us on 020 7016 0790.

August 12, 2013