Six Asian countries among top 10 countries for low expat living costs

BANGKOK – The Land of Smiles ranks eighth globally and fourth in Southeast Asia thanks to its affordable housing and utilities, according to “Personal Finance Index 2024”.

The index also revealed that expats also find it fairly simple to rent property in Thailand.

Expats surveyed rated three factors on a scale of one (very bad) to seven (very good). The three factors were general cost of living, satisfaction with their financial situation, and whether disposable household income is enough to lead a comfortable life. THE NATION Photo

Expats surveyed rated three factors on a scale of one (very bad) to seven (very good). The three factors were general cost of living, satisfaction with their financial situation, and whether disposable household income is enough to lead a comfortable life.

Việt Nam topped the rankings for the third year in a row, with 86 per cent of expats rating the cost of living favourably, compared with a global average of just 40 per cent.

Over two-thirds (68 per cent) also said their disposable household income was more than enough to live a comfortable life (versus 41 per cent globally).

Colombia soared from seventh to second place this year with 85% of foreign residents highlighting the low living costs.

Indonesia ranks third this year, with 69 per cent of those surveyed saying their incomes are more than adequate to live a comfortable life there.

Countries with the lowest cost of living for expats:

1. Việt Nam

2. Colombia

3. Indonesia

4. Panama

5. Philippines

6. India

7. Mexico

8. Thailand

9. Brazil

10. China

Overall, there was little change in the top 10 of the Personal Finance Index from 2023.

Six of the top 10 countries are in Asia: Việt Nam (1st), Indonesia (3rd), the Philippines (5th), India (6th), Thailand (8th), and China (10th). They all performed exceptionally well across the index’s three components, according to expats surveyed.

The remaining four are from Latin America: Colombia (2nd), Panama (4th), Mexico (7th), and Brazil (9th).

The Personal Finance Index polled over 12,000 expats in 174 destinations (53 countries) around the world.

Canada was ranked bottom, with more than half of respondents (53 per cent) saying their disposable household income is insufficient to live comfortably compared to 30 per cent globally.

Expats in Canada continue to face rising prices, particularly for food, rent, and mortgages.

Singapore ranked lowest in Asia (48th out of 53 countries). Three-quarters (75 per cent) of respondents rated the cost of living negatively, compared to 39 per cent globally.

The bottom 10 countries are:

44. Kuwait

45. Turkey

46. Bahrain

47. New Zealand

48. Singapore

49. Norway

50. Ireland

51. United Kingdom

52. Finland

53. Canada

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