Asia top 10 Expat package breakdown

I choose ice cream!

Interesting information...
On another note, I'll surprised middle eastern countries such as United Arab Emirates or Kuwait did not make it.

Full article from a Thai paper.


http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/ ... s/30369903

What is spurring that low cost countries like Thailand are almost on par with Japan, HK and Singapore.

No wonder everything is getting so expensive in Thailand.

martydxb wrote: ↑ Interesting information...
On another note, I'll surprised middle eastern countries such as United Arab Emirates or Kuwait did not make it.

Asia focused.

BiegeToyota wrote: ↑
Asia focused.

Lol.... wait you are serious aren’t you?

BiegeToyota wrote: ↑ No wonder everything is getting so expensive in Thailand.

Still relatively cheaper than western world, if you are able to command the same salary.

That being said, I'm not a big fan of the long working hours in Bangkok (or Asia is general).

martydxb wrote: ↑ Interesting information...
On another note, I'll surprised middle eastern countries such as United Arab Emirates or Kuwait did not make it.

We don't know the methodology behind this data. Expats from Africa, India or Pakistan in UEA and cie earn peanuts so they would drive the avg down. Also these countries provide income tax free compensation (for most) so the overall compensation doesn't have to be as high.

On this, I would have expected Singapore and HK to be higher.

peli33 wrote: ↑ We don't know the methodology behind this data. Expats from Africa, India or Pakistan in UEA and cie earn peanuts so they would drive the avg down. Also these countries provide income tax free compensation (for most) so the overall compensation doesn't have to be as high.

+1

On its surface, much of this "data" is bogus.

What is the definition of "middle management"?
What are considered to be "benefits"? This shows all benefits as taxable when, in reality, many benefits (company subsidized housing and even flight allowances) are non-taxable.
Is the "salary" portion assumed to be after-tax cash-in-hand? Does this mean no middle management expat earns more than $100,000 after-tax? Why would a foreign-trained middle manager work at any of these locations since they could earn an equivalent (or better) salary in their home country?

I have first-hand experience with Japan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. The "benefits" numbers are grossly inflated and the salary portion is grossly undervalued.

1) These foreign expats are generally highly foreign educated, with work experience and/or connections
2) They are generally bi or tri linguals, with fluent in local languages
3) They work long hours

Many middle managers in north america wouldn't fit.

martydxb wrote: ↑ Interesting information...
On another note, I'll surprised middle eastern countries such as United Arab Emirates or Kuwait did not make it.

While the Middle East is technically in Asia on a purely physiographical basis, physical geography is hardly the yardstick used to define Asia these days. I mean, who really thinks of Qatar, Israel, or even Russia when someone mentions Asia? Even including India is a bit of a stretch for many.

Off course all those countries are in Asia? You seem to be confusing Far East with Asia.

Turkey is famous for being 1% in Europe and 99 in Asia.

More than 2/3 of Russia is in Asia. Indian sub continent is in Asia, it’s called South Asia. People of sub continent are called south Asians.

Your definition of Asia seems to be straight out of Markham.

Kiraly wrote: ↑ While the Middle East is technically in Asia on a purely physiographical basis, physical geography is hardly the yardstick used to define Asia these days. I mean, who really thinks of Qatar, Israel, or even Russia when someone mentions Asia? Even including India is a bit of a stretch for many.

chicu1981 wrote: ↑ ...
Your definition of Asia seems to be straight out of Markham.

Or maybe even South Carolina - this came to my mind -

Kiraly wrote: ↑ While the Middle East is technically in Asia on a purely physiographical basis, physical geography is hardly the yardstick used to define Asia these days.

Physical geography is the only yardstick used to define Asia.

What are those benefits that are so high?

lawonga wrote: ↑ What are those benefits that are so high?

It includes housing expenses. Most of those places have high housing costs.

Jon Lai wrote: ↑ It includes housing expenses. Most of those places have high housing costs.

Are these permanent benefits?

spena wrote: ↑ Are these permanent benefits?

Pretty much permanent as long as you work as an expat.

Alright brb middle manager in Singapore, Hong Kong or Korea

chicu1981 wrote: ↑ Off course all those countries are in Asia? You seem to be confusing Far East with Asia.

Turkey is famous for being 1% in Europe and 99 in Asia.

More than 2/3 of Russia is in Asia. Indian sub continent is in Asia, it’s called South Asia. People of sub continent are called south Asians.

Your definition of Asia seems to be straight out of Markham.

Ok maybe OP should've specified (South)East Asia, but let's be honest: raise your hand if Russia and Turkey are the first two countries to come into mind when someone mentions "Asia". Anyone, anyone? Let's not be too pedantic here ok?

lawonga wrote: ↑ Alright brb middle manager in Singapore, Hong Kong or Korea

Not sure about Korea but

Hong Kong: 30C+, 95%+ humidity for 5 months of the year, 4th most dense place on Earth
Singapore: 35C year round; 3rd most dense place on Earth

Sure you still wanna live there?