**Canada retains 4th place ranking**

**Singapore named the best place in the world to live and work**

VANCOUVER, Oct. 25, 2018 /CNW/ - Canada's aim to attract almost 1 million people from around the world to live and work in the country by 2020¹ makes it one of the most welcoming destinations in the world, according to HSBC's annual Expat Explorer survey. Canada was named the 4^th best country in the world overall for expats, retaining its ranking from 2017. Singapore again topped the annual survey as the best place to live and work as an expat, followed by New Zealand and Germany, with Bahrain rounding out the top five.

HSBC's global 2018 Expat Explorer report surveyed over 22,000 expatriates in 163 countries, asking them for their views on quality of life, financial well-being and the ease of raising a family abroad. Responses showed that of those who nominated Canada as their favoured destination, 54% chose the country to improve their quality of life, while 24% wanted to challenge themselves and progress in their careers.

Survey highlights of expat life in Canada

• A welcoming safe country: Expats in Canada are usually from Europe, South and Central Asia and North America - particularly the UK, India and the USA. A significant majority (68% compared with the global average of 47%) say Canada is more welcoming than their home nation and 70% feel safer here than they did at home.
  
  
• Come raise your family: This year's data shows the move has given seven in every ten expats, including those with families, a better quality of life. It's a life they stay to enjoy: a quarter (25%) have been here for more than 30 years and most (60%) of the expats living here see themselves as citizens of Canada rather than the country they came from.
  
  
• Bring a friend: Only 43% of expats here found it easier to make friends in Canada, and when they do make them, more than a quarter (26%) say they have a more active social life than at home. Expats in Canada also say it takes a little longer to settle here than on average. Though half (56%) say they felt at home in less than a year, globally the figure was closer to two thirds (62%).
  
  
• Stay for the weather: More than half (55%) say getting used to the weather is a big part of feeling at home here compared with only 43% of expats living elsewhere, including in some equally tough environments.

"While financial rewards and career prospects are obviously important, the report suggests expats come to Canada to improve their quality of life and family life.  And I can't think of a better or more welcoming country than Canada," said Raza Hasan from Retail Banking and Wealth Management at HSBC Bank Canada. "However, expats also often need to deal with finances in two or more countries. No matter where your expat journey takes you, working with your bank and seeking professional advice can help you to prosper abroad, build your savings and investments while still enjoying a new lifestyle and a new country."

Survey highlights of Canadian expat life abroad:

Canada is hard to beat: Typically travelling to the UK, Mexico, the USA, Hong Kong and China, only 26% of Canada's expats abroad feel that their overall quality of life is better than it was at home. Two in five don't feel as safe or secure in their new home and 68% say the natural environment isn't as good.

Their social lives make up for it: Canadians abroad are more likely than most expats to have wider social circles in their new home, and three quarters found it easy to settle into their new host country. More than half (55%) have found a long-term partner while overseas.

Top reasons for moving away: 31% left Canada to challenge themselves. Their average income is C$144,820.00 v. C$118,750.00 for expats who live in Canada.

2018 Expat Explorer League Table – the top 10

Expat Explorer online:
Report and country comparisons: https://expatexplorer.hsbc.com/survey/
Twitter: @expatexplorer
Facebook: /hsbcexpat
Expat experiences blog: http://expatexplorer.blogspot.com/
Expats' ratings of 31 host countries are available to explore online through the Expat Explorer interactive tool.

Notes to editors: 

1. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/annual-report-parliament-immigration-2017.html#sec1_2

About the Expat Explorer survey and country league table
The Expat Explorer survey was open to adults over 18 years old currently living away from their country of origin/home country. The survey was completed by 22,318 expats from 163 countries and territories through an online questionnaire in March and April 2018, conducted by YouGov and commissioned by HSBC Expat. A minimum sample of 100 expat respondents and at least 30 expat parents is required for a country to be included in the league tables, with 31 countries qualifying in 2018.

HSBC Bank Canada
HSBC Bank Canada, a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, is the leading international bank in the country. We help companies and individuals across Canada to do business and manage their finances internationally through three global business lines: Commercial Banking, Global Banking and Markets, and Retail Banking and Wealth Management. Canada is a priority market for the HSBC Group – one of the world's largest banking and financial services groups with assets of US$2,607bn at 30 June 2018. Linked by advanced technology, HSBC serves customers worldwide through an international network of around 3,800 offices in 66 countries and territories in Europe, Asia, North and Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa.

For more information visit www.hsbc.ca or follow us on Twitter: @hsbc_ca or Facebook: @HSBCCanada

SOURCE HSBC Bank Canada

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