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The Employee Relocation Council recently announced that ORC Worldwide, an international human resources consulting firm, recently analyzed the foreign destinations for which its clients request cost-of-living data. Comparing the most popular destinations between 1989 and the present, the analysis showed some surprising results. "Since 1989, the United States has moved up from third place to take the lead in host locations, switching positions with the UK," according to Geoffrey W. Latta, executive vice president of ORC's international compensation practice."This movement indicates the growing significance of the United States as a destination for expatriates, reflecting both the extensive inward investment by non-U.S. companies, as well as the need for US companies to bring their own foreign employees here for training and development." The fact that the United States is the number one destination also puts a different light on the risks to international business that could arise if the level of expatriate mobility is restricted by visa limitations resulting from security concerns. China's spectacular leap tells a different story. "From its position as 24th most popular destination, China has jumped to second place," explains Latta, "confirming the phenomenal growth of business and external investment in its economy." Other Asian nations such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam have also become more popular as host locations. And following the collapse of communism, Russia has also risen in popularity, according to Latta, "moving from a rank of 47 to 26." Similar growth has occurred among other former Soviet bloc countries like the Czech Republic and Hungary. "During the past 14 years, some countries or regions have experienced a decline in expatriation activity due to risk or hardship factors that make it difficult to attract assignees, particularly those with families," according to Latta. For example, incidents of kidnapping and violence and the need for armed guards have made Colombia (with its drop in rank from 30 to 46) far less desirable as a destination. Venezuela's decline (from 20 to 34) reflects the current political and economic turmoil, as well as the relative decline in investment in the oil sector. "Other factors have contributed to this trend in the Middle East, where Egypt and Saudi Arabia have experienced a slowdown in international assignments," Latta adds "both for economic reasons as well as concern about political and religious conflict in the area." Meanwhile, however, many European nations - Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland - remain stable in terms of expatriation, with short-term assignments increasingly popular vehicles for intra-European transfers. On the opposite side of the globe, several Asian countries - Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Taiwan, Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines - have also remained relatively steady in terms of their popularity as expatriate destinations. Headquartered in New York City, ORC Worldwide has offices in Chicago, Dallas, London, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Munich, Paris, Sacramento, San Francisco, Singapore, Tokyo, Washington, and Wellington. |
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