Singapore leads 10 best cities in Asia for expats to work in 2024

The annual survey by Mercer analyzed data from 231 cities globally, with Singapore ranking as the top city in Asia and the only one in the top 50 worldwide.

The list highlights the following cities:

10. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi at night. Photo by Pexels

Abu Dhabi, ranking 85th globally, is renowned for its modern infrastructure and diverse expatriate communities.

It is the largest among the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates, with the main industries being mining crude oil and gas, financial and insurance, and manufacturing.

An estimated 80% of its population are expats, according to expat network InterNations.

9. Taipei, Taiwan

Skycrappers in Taipei, with the iconic building Taipei 101 in the center. Photo by Pexels

Taipei for several years has been ranked first out of 59 destinations in the InterNations Expat Insider survey in terms of job security and economic stability.

The city, which is also ranked 85th globally in Mercer’s list, is a financial and technology hub with a GDP expansion rate of around 4% per year.

8. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

High-risers in Dubai. Photo by Pexels

With many skyscrapers and modern architecture, Dubai is an expat hotspot. An estimated 92% of its 3.6-million-person population are non-Emirati, according to the Dubai Statistics Center.

Dubai is dubbed "the city of gold" with a large part of the economy contributed by gold trading. It also trades oil, natural gas, and is home to Nasdaq Dubai, the international stock exchange in the Middle East.

7. Seoul, South Korea

A wide-angle view of Seoul. Photo by Pexels

The capital of South Korea is home to its biggest companies including Hyundai, Samsung, LG and SK. It is also a financial and tech hub with advanced infrastructure.

The city accounts of 20% of South Korea’s population and has been hailed as one of the most popular travel destinations in the world and one of the best cities for international students.

6. Hong Kong, China

Nightlife in Hong Kong. Photo by Pexels

Despite having one of the highest population densities in the world, Hong Kong remains a popular expat destination thanks to its status as a major financial hub.

Its unique position as a Chinese special administrative region entices many foreign investors to establish local firms.

Hong Kong is also a large tourism hub which caters to both international and mainland China tourists.

5. Nagoya, Japan

Cars parked under sakura trees in Nagoya. Photo by Pexels

Nagoya is known as a bustling port city with a population of 2.3 million people and an ideal destination for expats.

Its central position between Tokyo and Osaka ensures easy and convenient travel to these major cities and other parts of the country.

The city is a manufacturing power house and a transport hub which accounts for 11% of Japan’s GDP.

4. Osaka-Kobe, Japan

People walking in an alley in Osaka. Photo by Pexels

Osaka is the second largest metropolitan area behind Tokyo, and Kobe is located 35 kilometers away.

While its ranking on Mercer’s survey has dropped 10 places to 68th, the Osaka-Kobe region remains a key economic contributor thanks to its well-developed transportation infrastructure which links it to Japan’s biggest cities.

3. Yokohama, Japan

Buildings by the bay in Yokohama. Photo by Pexels

Yokohama is a port city located 20 kilometers south of Tokyo. It is home to Japan’s biggest Chinatown.

The city has a population of around 3.7 million and is known for auto manufacturing and IT among other industries. Many research and development centers of global companies are located in the city.

2. Tokyo, Japan

A busy intersection in Tokyo. Photo by Pexels

Tokyo, home to 14 million people, is one of the world’s megacities. It is the economic and cultural hub of Japan and also its political and administrative center.

The city accounts for around 20% of Japan’s GDP with the biggest contribution recorded from wholesale and retail trade and property.

1. Singapore

Iconic buildings in Singapore. Photo by Pexels

Ranking first in Asia and 30th globally, Singapore continues to be hailed as an ideal place for expats as around 30% of its workforce are foreigners.

The majority of the population is Chinese, Malaysian, and Indian. Its economic strength is mostly derived from the services sector such as communications, information and financial services.