Singapore Maintains Decade-Long Streak as Most Liveable City for Asian Expatriates

Singapore shines as the beacon of livability for Asian expatriates, with a decade-long crown of Most Liveable City.

Singapore has once again secured its position as the Most Liveable City for Asian expatriates, a title it has held for an impressive 10 consecutive years, according to a recent report by ECA International, a global mobility specialist. The city-state’s outstanding features, such as a low crime rate and excellent infrastructure, have contributed to its consistent top ranking.

ECA International, a human resources consultancy, releases an annual Location Ratings system, assessing expatriates’ quality of living across more than 500 global locations. This system aids individuals in anticipating the challenges of adjusting to a new city by evaluating factors such as climate, health services, housing, social networks, infrastructure, safety, and political tensions.

Mark Harrison, ECA’s General Manager for Asia, emphasized Singapore’s enduring appeal for Asian expatriates, attributing it to the city’s exceptional infrastructure, minimal crime rates, and limited exposure to socio-political tensions. The report compared the 2023 rankings with those from 2013, confirming Singapore’s prolonged dominance as the Most Liveable City. Notably, Singapore has held this distinction since 2005, nearly two decades ago, as highlighted in ECA’s previous year’s report.

While Singapore maintains its lead, other cities are catching up, with Tokyo securing the second spot in the rankings. Despite the lingering threat of natural disasters, Tokyo climbed from 9th place in 2013, reflecting improved living conditions since the 2011 earthquake. Mainland China’s cities, including Shenzhen, Xian, and Wuhan, have also seen advancements, particularly in transport infrastructure and international schooling provision.

However, challenges persist for expatriates in certain regions, marked by high pollution levels, censorship, and suboptimal healthcare facilities. The Covid-19 pandemic and associated restrictions impacted Chinese cities, causing a temporary decline in rankings. Unfortunately, Hong Kong experienced a significant drop from 17th place in 2013 to 77th, attributed to protests and political demonstrations in 2014 and 2019, affecting sociopolitical tensions and freedom of expression.

Southeast Asian cities, including Jakarta, Phnom Penh, and Hanoi, have shown improvement in rankings, driven by small but noteworthy enhancements in transport infrastructure, health services, and recreational facilities. However, Yangon experienced fluctuating rankings, rising after civilian rule was installed but falling after the return of military rule in 2021.

Outside Asia, Wellington and Adelaide performed well, sharing the second position with Tokyo globally. Eindhoven in the Netherlands claimed the highest position among European cities (7th), while Vancouver, Canada, secured the highest North American ranking at 23rd place.

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