The 2015 NatWest International Quality of Life Index
Australia has dropped from being in the top position in the NatWest International Personal Banking (IPB) Quality of Life Index for 2015.
Results for previous years reports have shown Australia as being in the top three spots since 2009, but having dropped to 7th place in 2015.
Year – Ranking
2015 – 7th
2014 – 1st
2013 – 1st
2012 – 2nd
2011 – 3rd
2010 – 1st
2009 – 3rd
The 2014 report at www.natwestinternational.com stated that:
87% of British expats in Australia intend to remain there indefinitely.
68% say they are wealthier, reporting an increase in disposable income since moving to Australia.
84% sat that the Aussie sunshine is one of the top five reasons for living there
73% per cent say they have seen their health improve
Singapore Takes the Lead
The new country at the top of the list in 2015, is Singapore, jumping from 11th place in 2009 to number 1 in 2015.
Maybe the salaries in Singapore make a difference, with this statement in the report:
68% of expats living in Singapore earn more than £125,000 per annum, compared with the global average of 21 percent.
Foreign Exchange rates
Another possible reason for the drop in Australia, as the preferred choice, could be the Exchange rate changes, with the British Pound being worth a high of almost A$3 some years ago, but dropping to as low as A$1.50 before recovering to about A$2.15 at the time of writing.