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S’pore ranked world’s most liveable location for Asian expats for 17th year

SINGAPORE — The Republic remains the most liveable location in the world for Asian expatriates for the 17th year running, based on a survey by consulting firm ECA International.

People look out from the observation tower of the Marina Bay Sands amongst public and private residential apartment buildings in Singapore, Feb 22, 2016. Photo: Reuters

People look out from the observation tower of the Marina Bay Sands amongst public and private residential apartment buildings in Singapore, Feb 22, 2016. Photo: Reuters

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SINGAPORE — The Republic remains the most liveable location in the world for Asian expatriates for the 17th year running, based on a survey by consulting firm ECA International.

Singapore was placed ahead of Adelaide, Sydney, and Osaka which were in joint second position, and Brisbane and Wellington which were tied in third place. Hong Kong, which is traditionally seen as a rival to Singapore as a financial hub, slipped one spot to 15th position in the Asia-Pacific ranking. 

The Location Ratings system that ECA uses evaluates a host of factors to form an assessment of the overall quality of living in over 460 locations worldwide. 

The factors taken into account include climate; availability of health services, housing and utilities; access to a social network and leisure facilities; infrastructure; personal safety; political tensions; as well as air quality.

While the system is used to help companies calculate location allowances, it is also indicative of the quality of life in the various locations, said ECA’s regional director for Asia, Lee Quane on Thursday (Feb 25).

Singapore performed exceptionally well on categories such as personal security, housing as well as diversity in culture and language, said Mr Quane. 

“Solid infrastructure, decent medical facilities, low crime rates and health risks have contributed to Singapore maintaining its position at the top of the global ranking for quality of living for Asian assignees,” 
he said. 

Mr Quane also noted that the variety of factors could affect Singapore’s position at the top of the list in the future, namely air pollution and health risks associated with Singapore’s location in the tropical region. 

“Singapore’s proximity to Indonesia, which means that haze is a very clear and present danger here (could affect its position),” he said. 

He added: “Because of Singapore’s location within a tropical zone, unfortunately there are certain severe tropical diseases, illnesses and maladies that occur in Singapore because they’re endemic to a tropical 
region.” 

He also noted that locations in mainland China and Hong Kong have very high levels of air pollution. “In the case of Hong Kong, this is the main reason why it ranks below Singapore,” said Mr Quane. 

The impact of haze in the region also contributed to Kuala Lumpur’s fall in regional ranking, from 26th last year to 27th this year, he added.

On the other end of the spectrum, Pakistani cities Islamabad and Karachi remain the region’s least liveable locations with the worst scores for personal security and sociopolitical tensions.

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