Countries best for pursuing expat careers

There are a lot of reasons that drive people to leave the comforts of their home countries and start a new life somewhere else. Many choose to relocate because they simply want to make the best money, while others desire to build a great career and enjoy life at the same time.
More than one in three expatriates (35) recently said in a global survey by InterNations that their job or business is their most important reason for moving overseas.
About two in ten (15 per cent) of these expats said they found an employment opportunity on their own, while 13 per cent were reassigned by their own company. A small number were either recruited by a local company (5 per cent) or driven by their decision to start their own business abroad (3 per cent).

If you also feel like moving somewhere else, InterNations has compiled a list of countries where job satisfaction among expatriates is high, based on the feedback of more than 14,000 respondents working abroad.
Some Asian countries have showed up in the rankings, as well as a few European destinations. Here’s a closer look at the top-rated countries for best career prospects for expats:

United States of America

The US wins the trophy as the best country for expatriates who are looking for jobs that leave them satisfied, with seven in ten foreign workers rating the country’s career prospects positively. Expats think this country is good for them because the economy is doing well. It is also highly recommended for individuals who are still looking to start a new job or build a career.
Caveat: You may be satisfied with your take-home pay and the type of job you do in the US, but it doesn’t guarantee you’re happy with your personal life. It only ranks 51st out of 67 countries when it comes to work-life balance

United Kingdom

The UK is the second top-rated country overall for career opportunities. Working in the UK has been rated positively by 71 per cent of expatriates and it looks like many are satisfied with their income, with 63 per cent of foreign workers giving positive ratings to the state of their finances.
Caveat: Out of the 63 expat destinations surveyed, the UK only ranks 53rd in the Cost of Living Index. More than half (51 per cent) of those who have decided to leave the UK said that local living expenses there is a disadvantage, while one in four admitted that they don’t make enough extra money to pay for all expenses.
Taiwan
If an Asian country appeals to you, Taiwan could be a good option as it is ranked as the third best country for career prospects. This country is also ranked second in the world in InterNations’ Working Abroad Index. A huge number of foreigners are satisfied with and feel secure about their jobs.

Ecuador

Nearly six out of ten foreigners working in Ecuador (59 per cent) are satisfied with their jobs. When you go there, expect to meet some nice people, with more than eight in ten expats (84 per cent) describing the attitude of local residents as generally friendly. Expect to get the same atmosphere in the workplace, as InterNations said that a warm welcome at work might be among the potential reasons why nearly seven in ten (67 per cent) of foreigners in Ecuador are satisfied with what they do for a living.

Romania

Romania is the fifth best country for building a career overseas, ahead of Germany, Switzerland and Netherlands. The majority of expats in this country (seven out of ten) rated their career options positively, while 74 per cent acknowledged that they feel good about their work. The cost of living is also not that expensive compared to other countries.
Caveat: Romania requires long working hours from full-time employees, registering an average office time of 49.2 hours weekly. Work-life balance is not something to be jubilant about, with Romania ranking 34th out of 67 countries in this category.

Australia

Australia gets high ratings for both career prospects and work-life balance. Nearly seven in ten expats (69 per cent) rate their working hours positively. People down under log an average of 43.6 work hours per week, slightly below the global average of 44.6.
Caveat: About one in ten expats (10 per cent) admitted that their disposable income is not nearly enough to cover day-to-day expenses, while 52 per cent stated they are not happy with the cost of living.

Vietnam

Vietnam earns high scores for career prospects, cost of living and personal finance. Almost eight in ten expats (79 per cent) think that the cost of living in Vietnam is one of those things that expats can benefit from. More than seven out of ten (72 per cent) appear to be satisfied with their personal finances. Vietnam attracts a good number of expats who work as teachers, researchers, freelancers and entrepreneurs.

Colombia

While it may be hard to avoid associating Colombia with illegal drug trade, expats rate the country positively when it comes to employment prospects. Compared to InterNations’ survey last year, this destination has shown improvement in terms of the level of job satisfaction among expats, jumping from 47th to 15th place in this category, as well as in the Working Abroad Index, moving from 39th to 29th place. One in five expats rate their career options excellent, higher than the global average, while two-thirds are satisfied with their job.

Luxembourg

The country ranks number one in InterNations’ Working Abroad Index, making it one of the highly recommended places for expats. The majority of foreigners said they are generally happy with their work-life balance (79 per cent), job security (81 per cent) and overall job satisfaction (76 per cent).

Mexico

About six in ten expats (60 per cent) in Mexico are satisfied with their career prospects. One worker even commented that there is a chance foreigners can grow as a professional in this country. There seems to be a good number of doctors, lawyers, freelancers and entrepreneurs moving to Mexico. It also looks like it is a favourite destination for retirees, with 26 per cent of the respondents polled having already reached the golden years, and 76 per cent having relocated there to enjoy the Mexican sun as they retire.