Top 10 cities in Asia that are easy to live in for expats

• Mercer’s annual ranking of cities with the highest quality of life looks at factors such as political stability and health care.
• In the 2024 ranking, 12 cities from Asia made it into the top 100.
• Singapore was the only Asian city in the top 50.

Mercer, an organization and human resources consulting firm, has released a global living environment survey, “Ranking of Cities with High Quality of Life.” This ranking of 241 cities on five continents is based on evaluations of each city’s political stability, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and socio-cultural environment.

Since we are in the era of remote work, the cost of living in each city is also taken into consideration.

According to Mercer, the most “successful destinations” for expatriates and their families are those that “combine flexible governance to accommodate a mobile workforce, high quality of life, and an affordable cost of living.” That’s what it means.

Although European cities dominate the rankings, with Zurich (Switzerland) in first place, 12 cities from Asia made it into the top 100 in the 2024 rankings. Singapore was the only Asian city in the top 50, coming in at number 30.

Let’s take a look at Asia’s top 10.

10th place Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) —— 85th place overall

In August, real estate broker Savills ranked Abu Dhabi in second place and Dubai in first place in a ranking of the most popular cities among digital nomad executives.

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is known for its modern streets and huge shopping centers. According to InterNations, foreign residents make up more than 80% of the population.

9th place Taipei (Taiwan) —— 85th place overall

Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, ranked 85th overall, along with Abu Dhabi. From 2019 to 2021, Taiwan was ranked 1st out of 59 cities by InterNations Expat Insider for job security and local economic conditions enjoyed by expatriates.

Alex Teachee, a New York native who moved to Taipei in 2020, previously told Business Insider that he likes the affordability of living there.

“I live about a 20-minute bike ride from my office. If I was in New York, I wouldn’t have been able to get something similar.”

8th place Dubai (United Arab Emirates) — 83rd place overall

Known for its glittering skyscrapers and modern architecture, Dubai is also a hotspot for expats. According to the Dubai Statistics Center, 92% of the population of 3.655 million are foreigners.

Expats living in Dubai previously told Business Insider that they like the convenience and ability to make friends quickly. “There’s a lot of new encounters here with interesting people who have different perspectives than what we’re used to,” said Kiran Ali, who moved to Dubai from the United States with her family.

7th place Seoul (South Korea) — 81st place overall

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is of course not just about K-POP. The city of 9.4 million people is popular with foreigners looking for an affordable lifestyle and rich culture.

By the way, South Korea’s second largest city, Busan, is also ranked in the top 100 (100th overall).

6th place Hong Kong — 76th place overall

Hong Kong is known as the world’s financial hub, and its food scene is also famous. It is also one of the most densely populated cities in the world, with 6,659 people per square kilometer.

Caitlin Chen, who moved to Hong Kong from California, previously told Business Insider that she was impressed by the city’s efficient public transportation system and found it to be very diverse. There is. “I was able to make friends from various countries on a daily basis, which broadened my horizons and allowed me to learn about different cultures.”

5th place Nagoya (Japan) —— 74th place overall

Nagoya, the capital of Aichi Prefecture, is a Japanese city with a population of approximately 2.3 million people.

LaJuan, a content creator who immigrated from Trinidad and Tobago, lives in a small apartment in Nagoya, paying about 30,000 yen in rent. He says he likes the laid-back, simple lifestyle.

“For me, Nagoya is the perfect balance between urban living and having your own space,” LaJuan told Business Insider.

4th place Osaka-Kobe (Japan) — 68th place overall

Osaka is a port city known for its nightlife and history, and is Japan’s second largest metropolitan area after Tokyo. Kobe, known for its beef, is just 12 minutes from Osaka by Shinkansen.

Grace Chen, who has visited Japan 11 times, says Osaka is the ideal city for people who love food. “When I go there, all I do is eat,” Chen told Business Insider. Among them, the tonkatsu and takoyaki are recommended.

3rd place Yokohama (Japan) —— 58th place overall

Yokohama, close to Tokyo, is a port town lined with skyscrapers and home to Japan’s largest Chinatown.

The area around Yokohama Station has been ranked number one for seven consecutive years in the ranking of the best places to live in the Tokyo metropolitan area (stations) published by Recruit. Reasons cited include the abundance of cultural facilities and large shopping centers.

“Yokohama was so safe that even at the age of 8 I could ride a public bus by myself to visit friends in other areas,” said Alicia Erickson, who moved to Yokohama as a child. Speaking to Business Insider.

2nd place Tokyo (Japan) — 56th place overall

Japan’s capital, Tokyo, is best known for its neon-lit skyscrapers and bustling streets.

David McElhinney, who moved to Tokyo in 2018, was surprised by the cultural differences. He said that being able to speak even a little Japanese would be of great help in this city. “Big cities, especially cities as dynamic, complex and multifaceted as Japan’s capital, always offer new surprises,” McElhinney said.

1st place Singapore — 30th place overall

Singapore was ranked the highest among Asian cities in this ranking. Foreign workers in Singapore, known as the “most expensive city”, account for about 30% of the country’s 6 million population.

Nick Burns, who moved to Singapore from San Francisco, said he likes the city’s affordable healthcare, safety and street food. “I can’t imagine us leaving here anytime soon,” Burns said.