Singapore Tops the List of Best Cities for Expats in Asia

According to Mercer's annual survey, which analyzed data from 231 cities globally, Singapore has emerged as the top city in Asia and the only one in the top 50 worldwide for expats to work in 2024.

Detailed Ranking of the Best Cities for Expats in Asia

The survey highlights the following cities as the best in Asia for expats:

10. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi, ranking 85th globally, is known for its modern infrastructure and diverse expatriate communities. The city's main industries include mining crude oil and gas, financial and insurance, and manufacturing.

9. Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei has consistently ranked first in job security and economic stability in InterNations Expat Insider surveys. The city is a financial and technology hub with a GDP expansion rate of around 4% per year.

8. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai is a hotspot for expats, with 92% of its 3.6-million-person population being non-Emirati. The city's economy is largely contributed by gold trading, oil, natural gas, and Nasdaq Dubai, the international stock exchange in the Middle East.

7. Seoul, South Korea

Seoul is home to major companies like Hyundai, Samsung, LG, and SK. The city is a financial and tech hub with advanced infrastructure and accounts for 20% of South Korea's population.

6. Hong Kong, China

Despite its high population density, Hong Kong remains a major financial hub and a popular destination for expats. The city is also a large tourism hub catering to both international and mainland China tourists.

5. Nagoya, Japan

Nagoya is a bustling port city known for its manufacturing power and transport hub status, accounting for 11% of Japan's GDP. The city's central position between Tokyo and Osaka makes it an ideal destination for expats.

4. Osaka-Kobe, Japan

Osaka-Kobe region, despite dropping 10 places in the survey, remains a key economic contributor due to its well-developed transportation infrastructure linking it to Japan's biggest cities.

3. Yokohama, Japan

Yokohama, a port city south of Tokyo, is home to Japan's biggest Chinatown and numerous research and development centers of global companies. The city is known for auto manufacturing and IT industries.

2. Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo, the economic and cultural hub of Japan, accounts for around 20% of the country's GDP. The city's biggest contributions come from wholesale and retail trade and property.

1. Singapore

Singapore, ranking first in Asia and 30th globally, continues to be an ideal place for expats with around 30% of its workforce being foreigners. The city's economic strength is derived from the services sector such as communications, information, and financial services.