10 best countries for a career abroad

Ever wondered what it would be like to work abroad? With the chance to acquire new skills, career progression, job security and better earnings, looking beyond the horizon could be your answer for a fulfilling career.

Switzerland has been named as the top country which enables expats to thrive in their careers, according to HSBC’s annual Expat Explorer survey.



The poll looked at eight factors: the chance to acquire new skills, career progression, job security, actual and prospective earnings, benefits packages and work/life balance, as well as fulfilling work and the work culture. Nearly 22,000 people in 100 countries participated in the survey.

Here are the 10 best places for a career abroad:

10. USA

Working as an expat in America is characterised by long hours and hard graft. The plus side is that there are plenty of opportunities to succeed.

Statue of Liberty REUTERS

9. Saudi Arabia

Career advancement and high earnings potential are the main attractions for expats moving to Saudi Arabia. In addition to its booming oil and gas industries, there are lucrative opportunities in engineering, construction, IT and telecoms.

PHOTO: ALAMY

8. Hong Kong

Hong Kong performs strongly for earnings potential (68 per cent said they do better there than at home) and career progression (63 per cent). However, only 28 per cent of expats in Hong Kong say their work/life balance has improved.

Hong Kong skyline is seen from the Peak PHOTO: REUTERS

7. Bahrain

The majority (61 per cent) of expats in Bahrain say they earn more now than they did at home. Finance and construction industries in Bahrain are the biggest employers of expats.

Manama, Bahrain PHOTO: REUTERS

6. UAE

UAE came sixth in the survey, with high rankings for income, wage growth and career progression.

Dubai PHOTO: Xu Jian

5. Singapore

Nearly 62 per cent in Singapore say their earnings prospects are better than at home and 59 per cent say it is a good place to progress their careers.

People walk past the skyline of Marina Bay central business district in Singapore REUTERS

4. Russia

The country scored particularly well for job security, career progression and wage growth.

PHOTO: REUTERS

3. Germany

Nearly six in 10 expats in Germany feel more secure in their role after moving there.

A general view shows the city skyline with the television tower in Berlin, Germany PHOTO: REUTERS

2. Sweden

There are lots of opportunities for qualified expats in Sweden, particularly in engineering, mining and medicine.

Stockholm PHOTO: REUTERS

1. Switzerland

Almost two thirds of expats in Switzerland say the country offers higher salaries than at home, while 53 per cent praise the working culture and 43 per cent feel more secure in their job.

A night view shows the Kulm Hotel in the Swiss mountain resort of St. MoritzREUTERS

This article originally appeared on Telegraph