Bahrain is ‘best country’ for expatriates to settle

TDT | Manama                                                 

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com    

Reported by Zahra Ayaz

Bahrain is ranked first among 52 countries around the world where it is “easy” for expatriates to settle. This was according to an international survey of nearly 12,000 expats worldwide conducted last year.

Internationals, the expat community group with 4.5 million members in 420 cities around the world, ranked locations based on what it calls the Expat Essentials Index.

Furthermore, the metrics assessed potential language barriers, in terms of ease of living without speaking the local language, for which Bahrain ranked 4th globally, which reaffirms the Kingdom’s business-friendly environment and talented workforce, as well as skilled Bahraini nationals, alongside a diverse expat talent pool.

Newcomers say it is easier to obtain visas in Bahrain, find accommodation, access government services online, and get around without speaking the local language. The UAE and Singapore are the other countries that are among the top 3, ranking second and third, respectively.

Bahrain also ranked first in MENA and third globally in the ease of opening a bank account. 67 percent of surveyed expats reported high levels of ease in dealing with local authorities, versus the global average of 40 percent.

Ranking 2nd globally in ease of finding housing, 82 percent of expats found it easy to find housing in Bahrain, compared to the 54 percent global average. Many expats moving to Bahrain, the UAE, and Singapore are coming from India, internationals say, and are moving for work-related reasons, like to find a job on their own, for a foreign assignment, as they’re international recruits, or to start their own business.

These expats are most likely to work in finance or banking, and the countries aren’t big spots for retirees. The top 10 places where expats say it’s easy to settle include; Bahrain, the UAE, Singapore, Estonia, Oman, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kenya, and Canada.

The top North American country, Canada, rounds out the top 10. New residents there say it’s easy to deal with local authorities, open banks, and access a robust digital infrastructure. But it’s relatively difficult to find affordable housing.