Expats in most countries with a good work-life balance exhibit above-average happiness with their lives overseas. Surprisingly, great contentment with work-life balance does not always imply that expats don’t work hard. Expats can often significantly improve their financial situation, and also the wealth of their family and loved ones, via hard work and dedication. Why would you not want to commit 5 years of wealth-motivated hard work as an expat knowing that it will impact the life of your family for the next 20 years? You possibly wish to work overseas for a variety of reasons, like a change of scenery, a thirst for adventures, or a better climate, to mention a few. Wanting to be impoverished is one reason that will not be on your list. So, here is a list of the greatest places to work and earn money for expats.
1. Denmark
Expats working long hours in Denmark had the shortest labour week out of the top countries with a strong work-life balance, clocking in at just 39.7 hours each week. Perhaps it is this benefit that draws highly qualified expats; in Denmark, nearly half of the respondents had a master’s degree or equivalent. In fact, and over three-quarters of expats working in Denmark (76%) are satisfied with their work-life balance, compared to three out of five globally (60 per cent). Despite this, their employee satisfaction (62%) is slightly lower than the world average (64 per cent).
2. The Czech Republic
Out of the top ten listed nations, expats in the Czech Republic work the most hours, slightly more than the global average. Despite this, they are generally happy with their working hours and work-life balance. Furthermore, they appear to be the happiest people on the planet, with the highest levels of satisfaction with their career possibilities and job stability among the top ten countries with a good work-life balance. Three-quarters of expats (75%) agree, with a strong overall job contentment rating.
3. New Zealand
The majority of expats relocate to New Zealand for a better standard of living, with only 6% stating work-related factors. Additionally, full-time workers spend exactly two hours lesser in the office than the world average. Perhaps this is one of the explanations why three-quarters of expats employed in New Zealand are content with their work-life balance as well as their hours of operation. Even though expats in New Zealand are not overburdened, a significant proportion of them has a gross annual household income of more than 150,000 USD. This could explain why 89 per cent of expats are content with their lives overseas, making them the happiest people on the planet.
4. The Netherlands
Three out of five expats considered the Netherlands’ economy and job market as a potential asset before relocating overseas, compared to 45 per cent worldwide. Maybe it’s because of the strong economy that expats can work 2.3 hours lesser per week than the world average for full-time jobs (42 h vs. 44.3 h). In reality, in the Netherlands, around three-quarters of workers are satisfied with their work-life balance and work schedule. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the Netherlands attracts highly skilled expats: more than half of expats in the Netherlands (51%) have a master’s degree or higher, which is not only 11 percentage points higher than the world average, but also the maximum share among the locations on this list.
5. Switzerland
Switzerland’s financial services business employs a large number of people and is known for being a high-wealth country. Yes, Switzerland has a high cost of living, but the good professional options and excellent living conditions are well worth it. The average annual expat pay package in the country is $246,971. In Switzerland, service professionals rack up an average of $92,625 (£68,500) per year. Meanwhile, managerial employees earn a whopping $431,603 (£319,192) every year.
6. Hong Kong
Hong Kong consistently ranks well in terms of expat benefits and incomes. A standard package there is worth around $271,400 on average. The figures will be different if there is no company participating in your relocation. Working as a service professional pays an average of $45,050 per year in gross earnings. Furthermore, most expats benefit from a reduced tax regime, which means they have more spare income. Finance is one of the most popular job sectors for expats in Hong Kong, and most expats believe the local economy is healthy. Hong Kong is the place to go if you are willing to put in the effort.
7. Japan
The typical opinion for Japan is that it is quite an insular country, therefore it isn’t normally among the top choices for expats looking for jobs. Things are, fortunately, improving. The number of expats working in Japan has recently increased. To compensate for its older population, Japan is keen to attract more foreign workers. More skilled immigrants are desired by the country. Working in Japan is a unique experience in and of itself. When you combine cutting-edge infrastructure, the amazing natural beauty of Japan’s islands, an excellent standard of living and a fantastic expat benefits package, as well as new immigration laws that make it relatively easy for talented workers to come to the country, the country becomes rather inviting.
8. Turkey
Turkey may not be one of the countries that actively seeks and recruits expat workers from other countries. Nevertheless, it is possible to acquire a job in Turkey working for an international company that is always looking for qualified personnel. Those considering working in Turkey may be shocked by the amount of the average expat salary for middle managers on offer. A hefty $266,298 per year adds significantly to the pleasures of the Mediterranean way of life.
9. Canada
Working as an expat in Canada has always been a great experience. Currently, Canada remains a popular place for qualified professionals seeking a better lifestyle as well as opportunities for progress in their careers. If you are a highly trained professional looking for work in Canada, you can expect to earn between C$90,000 and C$150,000 per year. For instance, a project manager’s average income is C$72,470, while a software developer’s average pay is C$63,905. You can make significantly more than the average depending on your knowledge and sector of specialisation.
10. France
When it comes to the skills shortages in IT, AI, research, and development, France is no exception. France’s tech sector, like that of many other countries in Europe, aspires to be able to easily hire digitally trained and certified workers from India, China, and the Middle East. To help alleviate the issue, President Macron announced the establishment of a technology visa last year, with the goal of attracting foreign talent and making France the finest destination to work for qualified workers. The visa makes it easier for conscious minds to enter France and for French companies to hire people from outside the EEA (European Economic Area). It also provides fantastic opportunities for overseas entrepreneurs.
