El desafío Antártico es una película para televisión en alta definición, una hora de documental que explora el pasado, presente y futuro de la exploración científica en el continente más misterioso del mundo haciendo énfasis en anunciar los últimos descubrimientos sobre el tema del cambio climático. De la primera expedición científica de Ernest Shackleton hace 100 años a los científicos de hoy, los datos antiguos, nuevos y todavía inéditos plantean preguntas sobre lo que está ocurriendo en la Antártida y su impacto en el resto del mundo.
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There is a Global conspiracy at work as you read this very text. This video exposes some of the most major controllers of this conspiracy whilst highlighting reasons for why you are witnessing and hearing what you are in the media at this minute. The truth must be told!

Technorati Tags: Conspiracy, David, Falkland, Global, Islands, KELLY

The ongoing impact of the credit crisis, slowing global economies, falling house prices, global stock market and exchange rate volatility, together with the US dollar strengthening against most currencies are all factors contributing to a major change in the global cost of living rankings.

The International Cost of Living Comparison comprises indexes for each of 276 global locations. The indexes are calculated using the prices for specific quantities of the same goods and services in each location, based on expatriate spending patterns across 13 broad categories (Basket Groups).

The latest international cost of living ranking, together with the overall cost of living index is as follows: 

Rank      Location (Overall Cost of Living Index New York=100)

1               Japan, Tokyo (126.03)

2               Norway, Oslo (123.74)

3               Denmark, Copenhagen (121.11)

4               Switzerland, Geneva (119.59)

5               Brazil, Brasilia (118.53)

6               United Kingdom, London (118.23)

7               Greenland, Nuuk (117.14)

8               Switzerland, Zurich (116.18)

9               Hungary, Budapest (114.36)

10             Russia, Moscow (113.41)

11             Nigeria, Lagos (112.69)

12             Ireland, Dublin (112.65)

13             New Caledonia, Noumea (112.43)

14             France, Paris (112.38)

15             Chad, N’Djamena (111.3)

16             Italy, Milan (111.19)

17             Cameroon, Douala (111.06)

18             Liechtenstein, Vaduz (110.89)

19             San Marino, San Marino (110.78)

20             Monaco, Monaco (109.83)

21             Czech Republic, Prague (109.81)

22             Austria, Vienna (109.68)

23             Slovakia, Bratislava (109.31)

24             Isle of Man, Douglas (108.97)

25             Poland, Warsaw (107.63)

26             Bermuda, Hamilton (107.53)

27             Italy, Rome (107.29)

28             Finland, Helsinki (107.07)

29             Australia, Sydney (106.52)

30             USA, San Francisco Calif (104.53)

31             Cote D’Ivoire, Abidjan (104.4)

32             Venezuela, Caracas (104.02)

33             China, Hong Kong (103.43)

34             United Arab Emirates, Dubai (103.36)

35             Croatia, Zagreb (103.29)

36             Angola, Luanda (103.27)

37             Belgium, Brussels (103.19)

38             Netherlands, Amsterdam (102.33)

39             Jersey, Saint Helier (102.24)

40             Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby (102.22)

41             Korea Republic of, Seoul (101.94)

42             Iceland, Reykjavík (101.66)

43             Ukraine, Kiev (101.2)

44             Guernsey, St Peter Port (100.68)

45             Qatar, Doha (100.64)

46             Central African Republic, Bangui (100.58)

47             Spain, Madrid (100.26)

48             USA, San Jose Calif (100.13)

49             Falkland Islands, Stanley (100)

50             USA, New York NY (100)

51             Sweden, Stockholm (99.76)

52             USA, Boston Mass (99.63)

53             Cameroon, Yaounde (98.84)

54             Mali, Bamako (98.74)

55             Benin, Cotonou (98.6)

56             Germany, Berlin (98.18)

57             Micronesia, Palikir (97.98)

58             Gabon, Libreville (97.77)

59             Canada, Toronto (97.39)

60             Germany, Bonn (96.38)

61             Vatican City, Vatican City (96.23)

62             Australia, Melbourne (95.88)

63             Australia, Canberra (95.88)

64             Estonia, Tallinn (95.08)

65             Turkey, Ankara (94.87)

66             Singapore, Singapore (94.6)

67             Guinea-Bissau, Bissau (94.24)

68             USA, Los Angeles Calif (93.93)

69             Palau, Melekeok (93.85)

70             Luxembourg, Luxembourg (93.77)

71             Canada, Vancouver (93.48)

72             Portugal, Lisbon (92.84)

73             Australia, Perth (92.82)

74             Germany, Frankfurt (92.81)

75             Azerbaijan, Baku (92.76)

76             Gibraltar, Gibraltar (92.33)

77             Comores, Moroni (92.04)

78             USA, Washington DC (91.8)

79             USA, Philadelphia Pa (91.49)

80             Nauru, Yaren (91.16)

81             Kazakhstan, Almaty (90.99)

82             Bahrain, Manama (90.82)

83             USA, San Diego Calif (90.7)

84             Bahamas, Nassau (90.63)

85             Togo, Lome (90.11)

86             Taiwan, Taipei (90.07)

87             Haiti, Port-au-Prince (90)

88             Senegal, Dakar (89.57)

89             Saint Helena, Jamestown (89.26)

90             USA, Baltimore Md (89.25)

91             United Kingdom, Glasgow (88.88)

92             Djibouti, Djibouti (88.45)

93             Niger, Niamey (88.38)

94             Zambia, Lusaka (88.36)

95             USA, Seattle Wash (88.3)

96             Andorra, Andorra la Vella (88.13)

97             Vietnam, Hanoi (88.03)

98             Tonga, Nuku’Alofa (87.34)

99             Gambia, Banjul (87.23)

100           United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi (87.16)

101           Cayman Islands, George Town (86.81)

102           Sudan, Khartoum (86.64)

103           Greece, Athens (86.59)

104           Barbados, Bridgetown (86.5)

105           USA, Portland Ore (86.1)

106           Sierra Leone, Freetown (85.92)

107           Equatorial Guinea, Malabo (85.89)

108           USA, Chicago Ill (85.73)

109           Romania, Bucharest (85.55)

110           USA, Miami Fla (85.54)

111           Marshall Islands, Majuro (85.41)

112           Cyprus, Nicosia (85.26)

113           Malta, Velletta (84.99)

114           Moldova, Chisinau (84.89)

115           Ghana, Accra (84.89)

116           United Kingdom, Birmingham (84.76)

117           Canada, Montreal (84.37)

118           Algeria, Algiers (84.01)

119           Israel, Jerusalem (83.82)

120           Australia, Brisbane (83.29)

121           Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou (82.92)

122           Lebanon, Beirut (82.74)

123           Jordan, Amman (82.41)

124           Guinea, Conakry (82.16)

125           Jamaica, Kingston (82.11)

126           Philippines, Manila (82.07)

127           Georgia Republic of, Tbilisi (82.03)

128           Congo Democratic Rep, Kinshasa (81.84)

129           Seychelles, Victoria (81.78)

130           Indonesia, Jakarta (81.76)

131           USA, Las Vegas Nev (81.75)

132           Lithuania, Vilnius (81.67)

133           Vanuatu, Port Vila (81.35)

134           Grenada, Saint George’s (81.23)

135           Trinidad and Tobago, Port-of-Spain (81.13)

136           Mozambique, Maputo (80.82)

137           New Zealand, Auckland (80.71)

138           Samoa, Apia (80.64)

139           Congo, Brazzaville (80.14)

140           Armenia, Yerevan (80.13)

141           Albania, Tirana (80.1)

142           Martinique, Fort-de-France (80.09)

143           Latvia, Riga (79.92)

144           Thailand, Bangkok (79.86)

145           Sao Tome and Principe, Sao Tome (79.79)

146           USA, Denver Colo (79.74)

147           China, Beijing (79.73)

148           Fiji, Suva (78.99)

149           Slovenia, Ljubljana (78.85)

150           Canada, Ottawa (78.82)

151           Tuvalu, Funafuti (78.78)

152           Myanmar, Yangon (78.51)

153           Puerto Rico, San Juan (78.49)

154           Kenya, Nairobi (78.4)

155           USA, Phoenix Ariz (78.26)

156           Mauritius, Port Louis (78.25)

157           Madagascar, Antananarivo (78.24)

158           USA, Tampa Fla (78.22)

159           Serbia, Belgrade (78.13)

160           Kiribati, South Tarawa (78.06)

161           Guam, Hagatna (77.8)

162           Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan (77.72)

163           Uruguay, Montevideo (77.41)

164           Colombia, Bogota (77.23)

165           USA, Atlanta GA (76.99)

166           Morocco, Rabat (76.93)

167           USA, Milwaukee Wis (76.77)

168           Paraguay, Asuncion (76.49)

169           Mexico, Mexico City (76.13)

170           USA, Columbus Ohio (76.06)

171           India, Mumbai (76.04)

172           Tanzania, Dar es Salaam (76)

173           Solomon Islands, Honiara (75.93)

174           USA, Cleveland Ohio (75.84)

175           USA, Detroit Mich (75.74)

176           Liberia, Monrovia (75.63)

177           USA, Austin Tex (75.57)

178           USA, Dallas Tex (75.47)

179           USA, Jacksonville Fla (75.47)

180           Australia, Adelaide (75.39)

181           Kuwait, Kuwait City (75.22)

182           Bulgaria, Sofia (75.14)

183           Saudi Arabia, Riyadh (75.08)

184           USA, Pittsburgh Penn (74.54)

185           Timor-Leste, Dili (74.29)

186           Iran, Tehran (74.24)

187           USA, Indianapolis Ind (74.13)

188           USA, Fort Worth Tex (73.64)

189           Somalia, Mogadishu (73.49)

190           Maldives, Male (73.48)

191           USA, Charlotte NC (73.47)

192           USA, Houston Tex (73.36)

193           Chile, Santiago (73.01)

194           Mauritania, Nouakchott (72.99)

195           Botswana, Gaberone (72.86)

196           Cape Verde, Praia (72.81)

197           USA, El Paso Tex (72.61)

198           Uganda, Kampala (72.25)

199           Afghanistan, Kabul (72.13)

200           Antigua and Barbuda, Saint John’s (72.04)

201           USA, St Louis MO (71.93)

202           Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur (71.82)

203           Peru, Lima (71.7)

204           Korea Democratic Republic of, Pyongyang (71.62)

205           Kosovo, Pristina (71.55)

206           India, New Delhi (71.4)

207           Belarus, Minsk (71.28)

208           Malawi, Lilongwe (71.24)

209           Saint Kitts and Nevis, Basseterre (71.07)

210           USA, Memphis Tenn (71.02)

211           India, Chennai (70.76)

212           Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek (70.29)

213           Burundi, Bujumbura (70.07)

214           Macedonia, Skopje (70.02)

215           USA, San Antonio Tex (70.02)

216           Guatemala, Guatemala City (69.74)

217           Honduras, Tegucigalpa (69.57)

218           Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Kingstown (69.5)

219           Canada, Calgary (69.46)

220           India, Calcutta (69.31)

221           India, Hyderabad (68.85)

222           Dominica, Roseau (68.79)

223           Rwanda, Kigali (68.75)

224           Panama, Panama City (68.58)

225           Guyana, Georgetown (68.58)

226           China, Shanghai (68.48)

227           Syria, Damascus (67.99)

228           Montenegro, Podgorica (67.75)

229           Laos, Vientiane (67.43)

230           Ethiopia, Addis Ababa (66.87)

231           Cuba, Havana (66.61)

232           Belize, Belmopan (66.33)

233           Nicaragua, Managua (65.89)

234           Nepal, Kathmandu (65.67)

235           Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo (64.93)

236           Tunisia, Tunis (64.87)

237           Suriname, Paramaribo (64.75)

238           India, Bangalore (64.56)

239           South Africa, Johannesburg (64.51)

240           Costa Rica, San Jose (64.47)

241           Egypt, Cairo (64.18)

242           El Salvador, San Salvador (63.34)

243           Swaziland, Mbabane (63.11)

244           Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar (62.85)

245           South Africa, Pretoria (62.71)

246           Oman, Muscat (61.61)

247           Saint Lucia, Castries (61.2)

248           Pakistan, Lahore (59.48)

249           Tajikistan, Dushanbe (59.25)

250           South Africa, Cape Town (58.99)

251           Namibia, Windhoek (58.89)

252           Sri Lanka, Colombo (58.51)

253           Pakistan, Islamabad (58.33)

254           Iraq, Baghdad (58.25)

255           Pakistan, Karachi (57.72)

256           Lesotho, Maseru (57.49)

257           Argentina, Buenos Aires (57.46)

258           Bangladesh, Dhaka (57.03)

259           Bhutan, Thimphu (56.78)

260           Bolivia, La Paz (56.66)

261           China, Macao (56.41)

262           South Africa, Durban (56.07)

263           Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo (54.35)

264           Ecuador, Quito (53.83)

265           Uzbekistan, Tashkent (53.03)

266           Libya, Tripoli (52.74)

267           China, Shenzhen (51.65)

268           Eritrea, Asmara (50.72)

269           China, Dalian (50.54)

270           China, Wuhan (49.93)

271           China, Guangzhou (47.28)

272           Cambodia, Phnom Penh (45.65)

273           Yemen, Sanaa (45.6)

274           Turkmenistan, Ashgabat (38.77)

275           China, Tianjin (29.5)

276           Zimbabwe, Harare (17.12)

Technorati Tags: Comparison, Cost, Global, International, Living, Trends

Tokyo is the costliest city in the world in which to live of 300 global locations, surveyed in September 2010 by Xpatulator.com. While Tokyo is relatively cheap for items such as alcohol & tobacco (ranked 145), it is the most expensive for groceries and healthcare, and household accommodation costs. Tokyo has always been relatively expensive. This trend has strengthened again recently, as a result of the Japanese Yen having gained in value by about 18% against the United States Dollar in the past two years.

As the most expensive city in the world, Tokyo has an overall cost of living index of 155.4 (New York = 100), while Dubai (ranked 60 in the world) has a cost of living index of 88.84. Therefore Tokyo’s cost of living is 75% higher than Dubai. That means that an expatriate earning USD,000 per month in Dubai would need to earn USD,750 per month in Tokyo to enable them to have the same purchasing power, and therefore a similar standard of living as they had in Dubai. The cost of living for an expatriate is affected by both the availability and prices, of goods and services representative of an expatriate lifestyle, local inflation, and the exchange rate between the home and host country. As a result the cost of living has a significant impact of an expatriate’s salary package.

Caracas has moved up the rankings to become the second most expensive city to live in. Caracas is most expensive place in the world for furniture and appliances, recreation and culture as well as for hotels restaurants and meals out. Caracas is the second most expensive place for alcohol and tobacco, groceries, and healthcare.

Hong Kong is the third most expensive city in the world for expatriates to live in. The high overall cost of living rank for Hong Kong is primarily a result of two expensive basket groups. Hong Kong is the third most expensive city in the world for healthcare, and is the second most expensive city in the world for household accommodation, which typically comprises 30% of an expatriate’s expenses. Hong Kong is a good example of why many international organizations compensate separately for healthcare as well as household related costs such as housing rental, water, electricity, household gas, household fuels, local rates and residential taxes. Items that are provided by the employer should be excluded from a cost of living index calculation. The cost of living index for Hong Kong excluding healthcare and household related costs is substantially lower than it’s overall cost of living index of 128.9 (New York = 100).

Hong Kong is relatively cheap for recreation & culture (ranked 241 in the world), education (ranked 259 in the world), as well as furniture & appliances (ranked 268 in the world).

Osaka, ranked fourth, is a new addition to the rankings. Osaka is most expensive for household accommodation (ranked 3 in the world), healthcare (ranked 5 in the world) and groceries (ranked 6 in the world).

Sao Paulo, another new addition to the rankings, is the fifth most expensive city in the world. Sao Paulo is the most expensive place in the world for education, and is ranked second most expensive for clothing. The Brazilian Real has strengthened by 11% against the United States Dollar in the past year, although it is still weaker than it was two years ago. Sao Paulo is ranked in the top 55 most expensive cities in the world for each of the 13 basket groups.

Asia-Pacific has 4 of the 10 most expensive cities in the world. Tokyo is first and Hong Kong the third most expensive location in the world (and most expensive in greater China), whilst Osaka is the third most expensive city in Asia-Pacific (ranked 4 in the world), followed by Nagoya (ranked 6 in the world).

Cities in mainland China remain relatively cheap, mainly due to the pegging of the Chinese Yuan to the US Dollar which has kept costs down. Within mainland China, Shanghai (ranked 15 in the world), and Beijing (ranked 116 in the world) are the most expensive locations. The cheapest city surveyed in China is Tianjin (ranked 281 in the world) with a cost of living index of 60.34 (New York = 100). The cheapest city in Asia-Pacific is Nuku’Alofa in Tonga (ranked 299 in the world) with a cost of living index of 54.45 (New York = 100).

Most expensive cities in Asia-Pacific (Global rank in brackets)
1. Japan, Tokyo (1)
2. China, Hong Kong (3)
3. Japan, Osaka (4)
4. Japan, Nagoya (6)
5. Japan, Yokohama (11)
6. China, Shanghai (15)
7. Singapore (20)
8. Australia, Sydney (22)
9. Korea Republic of, Seoul (24)
10. Australia, Canberra (25)

South Asia is the least expensive region in the world for expatriates to live in. The most expensive city surveyed is Mumbai (ranked 94 in the world), followed by New Delhi (ranked 127 in the world), and Chennai (ranked 129 in the world). The Indian Rupee has weakened by 7% against the United States Dollar over the past two years. The cheapest city in South Asia is Thimphu in Bhutan (ranked 298 in the world).

Most expensive cities in South Asia (Global rank in brackets)
1. India, Mumbai (94)
2. India, New Delhi (127)
3. India, Chennai (129)
4. India, Calcutta (130)
5. Maldives, Male (135)
6. India, Hyderabad (142)
7. India, Bangalore (160)
8. Afghanistan, Kabul (194)
9. Bangladesh, Dhaka (263)
10. Pakistan, Lahore 276)

Europe’s most expensive cities are those that are not on the Euro. The most expensive city in Europe is Geneva (ranked 8 in the world), while Zurich is Europe’s third most expensive city (ranked 10 in the world), making Switzerland the most expensive country in Europe. The Swiss Franc has strengthened by 8% in the past year and by 16% over the past 2 years. Geneva is followed by Moscow (ranked 9 in the world), which had fallen in the cost of living rankings last year and shot back up to 6th most expensive city in Europe earlier this year. The Russian Rouble has strengthened 14% against the Euro in the past year.

Oslo is the fourth most expensive city in Europe (ranked 12 in the world), followed by Copenhagen (ranked 16 in the world). The cheapest city in Europe is Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina (ranked 292 in the world) with a cost of living index of 57.15 (New York = 100).

Most expensive cities in Europe (Global rank in brackets)
1. Switzerland, Geneva (8)
2. Russia, Moscow (9)
3. Switzerland, Zurich (10)
4. Norway, Oslo (12)
5. Denmark, Copenhagen (16)
6. Liechtenstein, Vaduz (17)
7. United Kingdom, London (23)
8. France, Paris (26)
9. Monaco, Monaco (29)
10. Jersey, Saint Helier (34)

The Middle East has experienced a drop in inflation in most cities over the past two years following a few years of relatively high inflation. The strong link of most regional currencies to the United States Dollar has resulted in many regional currencies strengthening against other major currencies. The United States Dollar has strengthened against the Euro by around 21% in the past two years making imports from Europe into the region cheaper.

Abu Dhabi (ranked 19 in the world) is the most expensive city in the Middle East, followed by Doha (ranked 28 in the world), and Bahrain (ranked 47 in the world). Dubai is the fourth most expensive city in the Middle East (ranked 60 in the world) with a cost of living index of 88.84 (New York = 100). Household accommodation, which comprises 30% of the 13 basket groups based on expatriate expenditure norms, has fallen dramatically in Dubai in the past year, as a result of over-supply, given the impact of the financial crises. The cheapest city surveyed in the Middle East (and cheapest in the world) is Sanaa in Yemen (ranked 300 in the world) with a cost of living index of 50.42, half that of New York which has a cost of living index of 100.

Most expensive cities in the Middle East (Global rank in brackets)
1. United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi (19)
2. Qatar, Doha (28)
3. Bahrain, Manama (47)
4. United Arab Emirates, Dubai (60)
5. Israel, Jerusalem (82)
6. Lebanon, Beirut (119)
7. Palestinian Territories, West Bank (141)
8. Syria, Damascus (146)
9. Iran, Tehran (158)
10. Kuwait, Kuwait City (163)

The Americas most expensive city is now Caracas, which is the world’s second most expensive city to live in, largely as a result of the recent devaluation of the official exchange rate.

Brazil has 3 of the 4 most expensive cities in the Americas. New additions to the rankings, Sao Paulo (ranked 5 in the world), and Rio de Janeiro (ranked 7 in the world) are followed by Brasilia (ranked 13 in the world.

Nassau (ranked 18 in the world) is the fifth most expensive city, while New York (ranked 21 in the world) is the sixth most expensive city in the America’s and most expensive in the United States of America. The cheapest city to live in the Americas is La Paz in Bolivia (ranked 294 in the world). The cheapest city surveyed in the United States of America is Indianapolis Ind (ranked 279 in the world).

Most expensive cities in the Americas (Global rank in brackets)
1. Venezuela, Caracas (2)
2. Brazil, Sao Paulo (5)
3. Brazil, Rio de Janeiro (7)
4. Brazil, Brasilia (13)
5. Bahamas, Nassau (18)
6. USA, New York NY (21)
7. Canada, Toronto (31)
8. Trinidad and Tobago, Port-of-Spain (32)
9. Bermuda, Hamilton (36)
10. Canada, Vancouver (42)

 

The full September 2010 list of all 300 international locations using all 13 basket groups is as follows:

September 2010 Rank Country, City

1 Japan, Tokyo

2 Venezuela, Caracas

3 China, Hong Kong

4 Japan, Osaka

5 Brazil, Sao Paulo

6 Japan, Nagoya

7 Brazil, Rio de Janeiro

8 Switzerland, Geneva

9 Russia, Moscow

10 Switzerland, Zurich

11 Japan, Yokohama

12 Norway, Oslo

13 Brazil, Brasilia

14 Angola, Luanda

15 China, Shanghai

16 Denmark, Copenhagen

17 Liechtenstein, Vaduz

18 Bahamas, Nassau

19 United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi

20 Singapore, Singapore

21 USA, New York NY

22 Australia, Sydney

23 United Kingdom, London

24 Korea Republic of, Seoul

25 Australia, Canberra

26 France, Paris

27 Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby

28 Qatar, Doha

29 Monaco, Monaco

30 Vanuatu, Port Vila

31 Canada, Toronto

32 Trinidad and Tobago, Port-of-Spain

33 Nigeria, Lagos

34 Jersey, Saint Helier

35 Russia, St. Petersburg

36 Bermuda, Hamilton

37 Solomon Islands, Honiara

38 Taiwan, Taipei

39 Australia, Melbourne

40 Australia, Perth

41 Azerbaijan, Baku

42 Canada, Vancouver

43 Guernsey, St Peter Port

44 Austria, Vienna

45 Germany, Munich

46 Kiribati, South Tarawa

47 Bahrain, Manama

48 Isle of Man, Douglas

49 Italy, Milan

50 United Kingdom, Glasgow

51 Gabon, Libreville

52 Finland, Helsinki

53 Canada, Calgary

54 Falkland Islands, Stanley

55 Sudan, Khartoum

56 Germany, Frankfurt

57 Italy, Rome

58 Micronesia, Palikir

59 Congo Democratic Rep, Kinshasa

60 United Arab Emirates, Dubai

61 Cayman Islands, George Town

62 Chad, NDjamena

63 USA, San Francisco Calif

64 Saint Helena, Jamestown

65 Croatia, Zagreb

66 USA, Boston Mass

67 Germany, Cologne

68 Turkey, Istanbul

69 Canada, Montreal

70 United Kingdom, Birmingham

71 Belgium, Brussels

72 New Caledonia, Noumea

73 Mali, Bamako

74 Netherlands, Amsterdam

75 United Kingdom, Leeds

76 Slovakia, Bratislava

77 USA, Washington DC

78 Indonesia, Jakarta

79 San Marino, San Marino

80 Central African Republic, Bangui

81 Germany, Hamburg

82 Israel, Jerusalem

83 Australia, Brisbane

84 USA, San Jose Calif

85 Estonia, Tallinn

86 Ireland, Dublin

87 Luxembourg, Luxembourg

88 Kazakhstan, Almaty

89 Sierra Leone, Freetown

90 Iceland, Reykjavik

91 Sao Tome and Principe, Sao Tome

92 Germany, Berlin

93 Germany, Bonn

94 India, Mumbai

95 Jamaica, Kingston

96 Djibouti, Djibouti

97 United Kingdom, Belfast

98 Congo, Brazzaville

99 USA, Anchorage AK

100 USA, Philadelphia Pa

101 Uruguay, Montevideo

102 New Zealand, Auckland

103 Liberia, Monrovia

104 Canada, Ottawa

105 Spain, Madrid

106 France, Lyon

107 Colombia, Bogota

108 Barbados, Bridgetown

109 Sweden, Stockholm

110 Martinique, Fort-de-France

111 Czech Republic, Prague

112 Cameroon, Douala

113 Australia, Adelaide

114 Vatican City, Vatican City

115 Turkey, Ankara

116 China, Beijing

117 Puerto Rico, San Juan

118 Nauru, Yaren

119 Lebanon, Beirut

120 Zambia, Lusaka

121 USA, Los Angeles Calif

122 France, Marseille

123 Cameroon, Yaounde

124 Cook Islands, Avarua

125 Spain, Barcelona

126 Guam, Hagatna

127 India, New Delhi

128 Samoa, Apia

129 India, Chennai

130 India, Calcutta

131 Ghana, Accra

132 Marshall Islands, Majuro

133 Cote DIvoire, Abidjan

134 Greenland, Nuuk

135 Maldives, Male

136 Hungary, Budapest

137 Malawi, Lilongwe

138 Turkmenistan, Ashgabat

139 USA, San Diego Calif

140 Rwanda, Kigali

141 Palestinian Territories, West Bank

142 India, Hyderabad

143 USA, Chicago Ill

144 Chile, Santiago

145 USA, Portland Ore

146 Syria, Damascus

147 Malta, Velletta

148 Peru, Lima

149 Tuvalu, Funafuti

150 Namibia, Windhoek

151 USA, Baltimore Md

152 Ukraine, Kiev

153 South Africa, Johannesburg

154 Portugal, Lisbon

155 USA, Seattle Wash

156 Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

157 Guadeloupe, Basse-Terre

158 Iran, Tehran

159 Togo, Lome

160 India, Bangalore

161 USA, Miami Fla

162 Guinea, Conakry

163 Kuwait, Kuwait City

164 Senegal, Dakar

165 Guinea-Bissau, Bissau

166 Comores, Moroni

167 Timor-Leste, Dili

168 Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan

169 Cape Verde, Praia

170 Philippines, Manila

171 Madagascar, Antananarivo

172 Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou

173 Thailand, Bangkok

174 Mexico, Mexico City

175 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Kingstown

176 Saudi Arabia, Riyadh

177 Andorra, Andorra la Vella

178 Greece, Athens

179 French Polynesia, Papeete

180 Guatemala, Guatemala City

181 Lithuania, Vilnius

182 Georgia Republic of, Tbilisi

183 Somalia, Mogadishu

184 USA, Phoenix Ariz

185 Honduras, Tegucigalpa

186 Montenegro, Podgorica

187 South Africa, Pretoria

188 Egypt, Cairo

189 Guyana, Georgetown

190 USA, Las Vegas Nev

191 South Africa, Cape Town

192 Poland, Warsaw

193 Armenia, Yerevan

194 Afghanistan, Kabul

195 Haiti, Port-au-Prince

196 Gibraltar, Gibraltar

197 Cuba, Havana

198 Cyprus, Nicosia

199 Jordan, Amman

200 Fiji, Suva

201 USA, Detroit Mich

202 Benin, Cotonou

203 USA, Denver Colo

204 Grenada, Saint Georges

205 Palau, Melekeok

206 Seychelles, Victoria

207 Panama, Panama City

208 South Africa, Durban

209 USA, Cleveland Ohio

210 Costa Rica, San Jose

211 Kenya, Nairobi

212 Belarus, Minsk

213 Saint Kitts and Nevis, Basseterre

214 USA, Atlanta GA

215 Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

216 Northern Mariana Islands, Saipan

217 USA, Charlotte NC

218 Iraq, Baghdad

219 Algeria, Algiers

220 Dominica, Roseau

221 Oman, Muscat

222 USA, Jacksonville Fla

223 Gambia, Banjul

224 Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Johns

225 USA, Milwaukee Wis

226 Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo

227 Eritrea, Asmara

228 USA, Pittsburgh Penn

229 Botswana, Gaborone

230 Mozambique, Maputo

231 French Guiana, Cayenne

232 Serbia, Belgrade

233 Niger, Niamey

234 Slovenia, Ljubljana

235 USA, Tampa Fla

236 China, Wuhan

237 China, Shenzhen

238 Latvia, Riga

239 Saudi Arabia, Jeddah

240 USA, Dallas Tex

241 Vietnam, Hanoi

242 USA, Fort Worth Tex

243 Laos, Vientiane

244 USA, San Antonio Tex

245 Moldova, Chisinau

246 USA, Houston Tex

247 China, Dalian

248 Nicaragua, Managua

249 Burundi, Bujumbura

250 Belize, Belmopan

251 USA, Columbus Ohio

252 USA, St Louis MO

253 Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar

254 China, Macao

255 Romania, Bucharest

256 Equatorial Guinea, Malabo

257 USA, Austin Tex

258 Ethiopia, Addis Ababa

259 Macedonia, Skopje

260 El Salvador, San Salvador

261 Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City

262 Mauritania, Nouakchott

263 Bangladesh, Dhaka

264 USA, El Paso Tex

265 Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek

266 Mauritius, Port Louis

267 Saint Lucia, Castries

268 USA, Memphis Tenn

269 Argentina, Buenos Aires

270 Paraguay, Asuncion

271 Kosovo, Pristina

272 Ecuador, Quito

273 Myanmar, Yangon

274 China, Guangzhou

275 Lesotho, Maseru

276 Pakistan, Lahore

277 Morocco, Rabat

278 Bulgaria, Sofia

279 USA, Indianapolis Ind

280 Swaziland, Mbabane

281 China, Tianjin

282 Zimbabwe, Harare

283 Pakistan, Islamabad

284 Nepal, Kathmandu

285 Suriname, Paramaribo

286 Albania, Tirana

287 Uzbekistan, Tashkent

288 Pakistan, Karachi

289 Uganda, Kampala

290 Korea Democratic Republic of, Pyongyang

291 Tajikistan, Dushanbe

292 Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo

293 Libya, Tripoli

294 Bolivia, La Paz

295 Cambodia, Phnom Penh

296 Sri Lanka, Colombo

297 Tunisia, Tunis

298 Bhutan, Thimphu

299 Tonga, NukuAlofa

300 Yemen, Sanaa

 

Notes:
Figures used in this report were taken from the Xpatulator.com cost of living database as at 1 September 2010. The ranks are based on the overall cost of living index using all 13 basket groups with New York as the base city (Cost of living index = 100).

Technorati Tags: 2010, Cost, Global, International, Living, Locations, Rank, September, Wide, World

International Cost of Living Rankings

International cost of living rankings are the result of comparing the cost of an expatriate’s personal budget, using the local prices for the same defined quantities of the same goods and services in each country throughout the world.

Our findings show that the compound impact of the multifaceted global economic trends that impact each country in one way or another, are contributing to rapid substantial changes in the relative cost of living of countries around the world. The changes in relative cost of living are large and have occurred in a relatively short period of time. The reason for this is due to the fact that so many economic crises are occurring simultaneously. 2008 saw the housing bubble burst followed by the failure of a number of global fund / asset management, insurance and banking giants. Some have been liquidated or taken over; others have been bailed out with government funds. In 2009 we have seen the continued fall in house prices which many believe have yet to bottom out. Stock prices and market indexes are down to levels last seen a decade or more ago. The trend towards decreased inflation and lower interest rates continues in developed and developing markets. We are also experiencing exchange rate volatility with a number of large economies seeing their currency weaken considerably in the past year. The economic impact is continuing to spread around the globe. We are currently seeing a truly global recession with reduced demand for manufacturing inputs and outputs as well as reduced energy demand and large scale job losses.

This study of 276 global locations covered every country in the world. The study comprised the cost of several hundred items that expatriates typically spend their pay on, grouped into 13 Basket Groups. The findings as at 1 April 2009 have been compared to the previous findings of 1 December 2008.  The Index uses New York as the base (New York = 100).  An index greater than 100, means that the cost of living is higher than New York, an index less than 100, means that the cost of living is lower than New York.

Geneva has a cost of living index of 110 for example. That means that on average, goods and services that cost 0 in New York, cost 0 in Geneva. Each city is ranked according to their overall cost of living index which includes the cost of all basket groups.

A cost of living index increases or decreases based on the local price of the goods and services used in the study and the ruling exchange rate. As a general principle, a country with a currency that has increased against other currencies (stronger currency) and which has relatively high local inflation (rapid/large price increases), will generally experience an increase in cost of living compared to other countries. On the other hand, a country with a currency that has decreased against other currencies (weaker currency) and which has relatively low local inflation will generally experience a decrease in cost of living compared to other countries.  It is important to note that we are talking about relative changes. Take London as another example. As recently as December 2008, London was still ranked the 6th most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live. As at April 2009 it is the 23rd most expensive place in the world for expatriates. That does not mean that the local cost of living for expatriates living in London has decreased. What it does mean is that relative to other places in the world, London is no longer as expensive as it was last year.  What makes London’s cost of living relatively lower than it was is mainly due to the increase in the cost of living elsewhere together with the weaker British Pound.

These relative changes have a substantial impact on expatriate employees. An expatriate working in a high cost of living – strong currency country such as Hong Kong where the Hong Kong Dollar is pegged to the US Dollar illustrates this point. The high cost of living makes it difficult to save due to high local prices; Household (Accommodation including utilities) in particular is very expensive. However, an expatriate working in Hong Kong will now likely find that remitting money back home provides greatly increased spending power at home.  In the past year the Hong Kong Dollar has increased 15% against the Malaysian Ringgit, and 30% against the Indonesian Rupiah and the Australian Dollar.

 

The Top 10 Most Expensive Places for Expatriates to Live

Tokyo has retained its status as the most expensive city in the world for expatriates to live. The cost of living index for Tokyo has increased from 126 in December 2008 to 143 as at 1 April 2009, and the Yen has strengthened against the US Dollar. At the other end of the scale, Harare has retained its status as the least expensive city in the world and is ranked 276 with an index of just 17 and a currency which is still in free-fall. Tokyo is ranked 1st for Healthcare expenses, 2nd for Groceries and 2nd for Household (Accommodation including utilities).

Hong Kong is now ranked 2nd overall having climbed from 33rd place in December 2008. Its cost of living index has increased from 103 to 121 and is ranked 1st for Household expenses and 2nd for Healthcare. It is interesting however to note that Hong Kong is not expensive in all categories. It is ranked 202nd for Alcohol & Tobacco, 226th for Recreation & Culture, 227th for Education, and 247th for Furniture & Appliances.

Lagos is the 3rd most expensive city in the world for expatriates, having previously been ranked 11th.  It is ranked 1st for Groceries and for Furniture & Appliance expenses, 6th for Healthcare, and 18th for Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotels. 

Caracas has moved substantially up the rankings to 4th, having been ranked just 32nd in December 2008. It is ranked 1st for Education expenses, 5th for Healthcare, and 6th for Household expenses (Accommodation including utilities).

Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea is the 5th ranked overall most expensive city for expatriates due to most goods and services being imported from Australia. Port Moresby is ranked 6th for Recreation & Culture, 7th for Communication and for Healthcare, and 8th most expensive for Clothing.

Geneva has dropped slightly to 6th, having been ranked 4th in December 2008.  It is ranked 3rd most expensive for Transport expenses, 11th for Recreation & Culture, 15th for Healthcare, and 20th for Clothing.

Dubai has moved into the top 10 most expensive places in the world for expatriates to live for the first time. Dubai is now ranked 7th, substantially up from 34th in December 2008. Its cost of living index has increased from 103 to 109 since December 2008. It is ranked 1st for Restaurants Meals Out and Hotel expenses, 6th for Clothing, 11th for Healthcare, and 16th for Groceries. Dubai is currently ranked 4th for Household expenses (Accommodation including utilities), however evidence is emerging that this will decrease significantly in the next quarter as it has been hit relatively hard in the property sector with falling property prices and rentals.

Doha has moved up in the global rankings faster than any other city. In December 2008, Doha was ranked the 45th most expensive city for expatriates, it is now 8th. The overall cost of living index has moved up from 101 to 109, equal to that of Dubai.  It is ranked 2nd for Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel expenses, 3rd for Clothing, 7th for Household expenses (Accommodation including utilities), 8th for Groceries as well as for Recreation and Culture, and 10th for Healthcare.

Denmark has dropped slightly to being the 9th most expensive place in the world for expatriates, having been ranked 3rd in December 2008. It is ranked 3rd most expensive for Groceries, 5th for Transport, and 15th for Furniture and Appliances.   

Hamilton in Bermuda completes the top 10 moving from 26th in December despite the overall cost of index remaining 108. Hamilton is ranked 4th most expensive for both Education and Healthcare, 10th for Personal Care, 11th for Household expenses (Accommodation including utilities), and 15th for Groceries.  

The full overall cost of living ranking list, sourced from xpatulator.com as at 1 April 2009 is as follows: 

Rank and Location

1 Japan, Tokyo

2 China, Hong Kong

3 Nigeria, Lagos

4 Venezuela, Caracas

5 Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby

6 Switzerland, Geneva

7 United Arab Emirates, Dubai

8 Qatar, Doha

9 Denmark, Copenhagen

10 Bermuda, Hamilton

11 Angola, Luanda

12 Switzerland, Zurich

13 Russia, Moscow

14 Solomon Islands, Honiara

15 Cameroon, Douala

16 Chad, N’Djamena

17 Taiwan, Taipei

18 Liechtenstein, Vaduz

19 USA, New York NY

20 New Caledonia, Noumea

21 Greenland, Nuuk

22 Ireland, Dublin

23 United Kingdom, London

24 France, Paris

25 Norway, Oslo

26 Italy, Milan

27 San Marino, San Marino

28 USA, San Francisco Calif

29 Monaco, Monaco

30 Austria, Vienna

31 Bahamas, Nassau

32 Central African Republic, Bangui

33 Nauru, Yaren

34 USA, Boston Mass

35 Finland, Helsinki

36 Italy, Rome

37 Kazakhstan, Almaty

38 Cote D’Ivoire, Abidjan

39 Bahrain, Manama

40 Micronesia, Palikir

41 Isle of Man, Douglas

42 Haiti, Port-au-Prince

43 USA, San Jose Calif

44 Cameroon, Yaounde

45 Djibouti, Djibouti

46 Palau, Melekeok

47 Guinea-Bissau, Bissau

48 Azerbaijan, Baku

49 Benin, Cotonou

50 Slovakia, Bratislava

51 Belgium, Brussels

52 Netherlands, Amsterdam

53 Sao Tome and Principe, Sao Tome

54 Jersey, Saint Helier

55 Mali, Bamako

56 Gabon, Libreville

57 United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi

58 Croatia, Zagreb

59 Singapore, Singapore

60 Ghana, Accra

61 Spain, Madrid

62 Ukraine, Kiev

63 USA, Philadelphia Pa

64 Cayman Islands, George Town

65 Sierra Leone, Freetown

66 Germany, Berlin

67 Czech Republic, Prague

68 USA, San Diego Calif

69 Jordan, Amman

70 Trinidad and Tobago, Port-of-Spain

71 USA, Los Angeles Calif

72 USA, Washington DC

73 Estonia, Tallinn

74 USA, Baltimore Md

75 Falkland Islands, Stanley

76 Saudi Arabia, Riyadh

77 Guernsey, St Peter Port

78 Comores, Moroni

79 Sudan, Khartoum

80 Germany, Bonn

81 Vatican City, Vatican City

82 Canada, Toronto

83 Timor-Leste, Dili

84 Hungary, Budapest

85 USA, Seattle Wash

86 Brazil, Brasilia

87 Lebanon, Beirut

88 USA, Miami Fla

89 Vanuatu, Port Vila

90 Luxembourg, Luxembourg

91 Jamaica, Kingston

92 Australia, Sydney

93 Kuwait, Kuwait City

94 Moldova, Chisinau

95 Congo Democratic Rep, Kinshasa

96 Germany, Frankfurt

97 Tuvalu, Funafuti

98 Iceland, Reykjavík

99 Barbados, Bridgetown

100 Portugal, Lisbon

101 Mozambique, Maputo

102 Senegal, Dakar

103 Canada, Vancouver

104 Niger, Niamey

105 China, Beijing

106 Ethiopia, Addis Ababa

107 Turkey, Ankara

108 Togo, Lome

109 Equatorial Guinea, Malabo

110 Martinique, Fort-de-France

111 Armenia, Yerevan

112 USA, Chicago Ill

113 Liberia, Monrovia

114 Gibraltar, Gibraltar

115 Sweden, Stockholm

116 Somalia, Mogadishu

117 USA, Portland Ore

118 Israel, Jerusalem

119 Malta, Velletta

120 Puerto Rico, San Juan

121 Canada, Calgary

122 Rwanda, Kigali

123 Guam, Hagatna

124 Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou

125 Zambia, Lusaka

126 Andorra, Andorra la Vella

127 Cyprus, Nicosia

128 USA, Las Vegas Nev

129 Samoa, Apia

130 Saint Helena, Jamestown

131 Tanzania, Dar es Salaam

132 Greece, Athens

133 Poland, Warsaw

134 Maldives, Male

135 Malawi, Lilongwe

136 Thailand, Bangkok

137 Indonesia, Jakarta

138 USA, Jacksonville Fla

139 Antigua and Barbuda, Saint John’s

140 Gambia, Banjul

141 United Kingdom, Glasgow

142 Lithuania, Vilnius

143 Belarus, Minsk

144 USA, Dallas Tex

145 Australia, Canberra

146 India, Mumbai

147 Australia, Melbourne

148 USA, Denver Colo

149 Algeria, Algiers

150 Georgia Republic of, Tbilisi

151 Honduras, Tegucigalpa

152 USA, Atlanta GA

153 USA, Cleveland Ohio

154 Canada, Montreal

155 USA, Milwaukee Wis

156 Congo, Brazzaville

157 Guinea, Conakry

158 Saint Kitts and Nevis, Basseterre

159 USA, Detroit Mich

160 Panama, Panama City

161 Latvia, Riga

162 Uganda, Kampala

163 Korea Republic of, Seoul

164 USA, Charlotte NC

165 Marshall Islands, Majuro

166 Australia, Perth

167 USA, Phoenix Ariz

168 USA, Columbus Ohio

169 USA, Austin Tex

170 Madagascar, Antananarivo

171 USA, Tampa Fla

172 United Kingdom, Birmingham

173 Afghanistan, Kabul

174 Grenada, Saint George’s

175 Vietnam, Hanoi

176 USA, Indianapolis Ind

177 USA, St Louis MO

178 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Kingstown

179 Peru, Lima

180 Syria, Damascus

181 USA, Fort Worth Tex

182 Slovenia, Ljubljana

183 Mauritania, Nouakchott

184 USA, El Paso Tex

185 Philippines, Manila

186 China, Shanghai

187 USA, Memphis Tenn

188 USA, Pittsburgh Penn

189 Belize, Belmopan

190 India, New Delhi

191 Romania, Bucharest

192 Guatemala, Guatemala City

193 Iran, Tehran

194 Cape Verde, Praia

195 India, Chennai

196 USA, Houston Tex

197 Canada, Ottawa

198 Costa Rica, San Jose

199 Dominica, Roseau

200 Nicaragua, Managua

201 Guyana, Georgetown

202 Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo

203 Bulgaria, Sofia

204 237 Suriname, Paramaribo

205 Cuba, Havana

206 Oman, Muscat

207 India, Calcutta

208 Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar

209 Tajikistan, Dushanbe

210 India, Hyderabad

211 Burundi, Bujumbura

212 USA, San Antonio Tex

213 Myanmar, Yangon

214 Uruguay, Montevideo

215 Paraguay, Asuncion

216 Albania, Tirana

217 Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan

218 Mauritius, Port Louis

219 Fiji, Suva

220 Egypt, Cairo

221 Australia, Brisbane

222 El Salvador, San Salvador

223 Korea Democratic Republic of, Pyongyang

224 Laos, Vientiane

225 Mexico, Mexico City

226 Morocco, Rabat

227 India, Bangalore

228 Saint Lucia, Castries

229 New Zealand, Auckland

230 Kiribati, South Tarawa

231 Kosovo, Pristina

232 Kenya, Nairobi

233 Serbia, Belgrade

234 Bangladesh, Dhaka

235 Pakistan, Lahore

236 Bolivia, La Paz

237 Colombia, Bogota

238 Botswana, Gaberone

239 Sri Lanka, Colombo

240 Pakistan, Islamabad

241 Turkmenistan, Ashgabat

242 Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek

243 Macedonia, Skopje

244 Pakistan, Karachi

245 Australia, Adelaide

246 Montenegro, Podgorica

247 Chile, Santiago

248 Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

249 China, Macao

250 Eritrea, Asmara

251 Iraq, Baghdad

252 Argentina, Buenos Aires

253 Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo

254 Uzbekistan, Tashkent

255 Ecuador, Quito

256 Nepal, Kathmandu

257 Tunisia, Tunis

258 Yemen, Sanaa

259 Bhutan, Thimphu

260 South Africa, Johannesburg

261 China, Shenzhen

262 Tonga, Nuku’Alofa

263 China, Dalian

264 South Africa, Pretoria

265 Lesotho, Maseru

266 China, Wuhan

267 Namibia, Windhoek

268 Libya, Tripoli

269 South Africa, Cape Town

270 China, Guangzhou

271 Seychelles, Victoria

272 South Africa, Durban

273 Cambodia, Phnom Penh

274 Swaziland, Mbabane

275 China, Tianjin

276 Zimbabwe, Harare

Technorati Tags: 2009, April, Cost, Global, Living, Ranking