From A Healthy Work-Life Balance to Great Job Markets: The Best Destinations for Working Abroad
Denmark, Australia, and Ireland are the best places for working abroad, according to findings in the Expat Insider survey.
Global expat community InterNations conducts one of the biggest annual surveys on life abroad, Expat Insider. In 2022, close to 12,000 expats representing 177 nationalities took part and shared their thoughts on living — and working — abroad.
Denmark Offers a Great Work-Life Balance
Denmark ranks 1st in the Working Abroad Index 2022 overall and 1st for Work & Leisure in particular. Over two in five expats in Denmark (42%) are completely happy with their working hours, compared to just 28% of all respondents globally. And over three-quarters (77%) rate their work-life balance favorably, too (vs. 62% globally).
Over four in five expats in Denmark enjoy the local business culture for its support of independent work and/or flat hierarchies (81% vs. 45% globally) and flexibility (85% vs. 60% globally). Creativity and thinking outside the box are also encouraged (69% vs. 51% globally).
An impressive 95% rate the state of the Danish economy positively (vs. 64% globally). Expats’ general satisfaction with their job (63% vs. 64% globally) and personal career opportunities (54% vs. 58% globally) is rather average, though.
And Denmark also receives below average results in some areas. Around half the expats (54%) say that moving there has improved their career prospects, compared to three in five respondents (60%) globally. And they are less likely to rate the Danish job market positively (43% vs. 47% globally).
Australia Does Everything Right regarding Jobs
Australia ranks 2nd in the Working Abroad Index. Close to three in ten expats (29%) give the job market in Australia the best possible rating, nearly twice the global average of 15%. Not quite two-thirds (64%) are also satisfied with their personal career opportunities (vs. 58% globally).
As in Denmark, respondents are satisfied with the local business culture, too. They agree that it supports flexibility (78% vs. 60% globally), creativity (65% vs. 51% globally), and independent work and/or flat hierarchies (65% vs 45%). This may explain, at least in part, why 70% rate the work-life balance in Australia positively (vs. 62% globally). Over two in five respondents (42%) are even completely satisfied with their working hours (vs. 28% globally).
An above-average share of expats in Australia also rate the state of the economy positively (77% vs. 64% globally), agree that they are paid fairly for their work (70% vs. 62% globally), and regard the job security in Australia favorably (70% vs. 59% globally). Overall, 72% are satisfied with their job in general (vs. 64% globally).
Ireland Stands Out for Its Job Market
Ireland places 3rd in the Working Abroad Index 2022. As in Australia, respondents are particularly satisfied with the local job market (68% positive ratings vs. 47% globally). Close to three in ten (29%) even say it’s very good (vs. 15%).
Close to three-quarters also rate their personal career opportunities positively (72% vs. 58% globally) and agree that moving to Ireland has improved their prospects (74% vs. 60% globally). “For foreigners, there are a lot of job opportunities, due to the international companies that are located there,” a Dutch expat living in Ireland points out.
A similar share rate the Irish economy positively (71% vs. 64% globally) and agree that they are compensated fairly for their work (69% vs. 62% globally). Ireland also ranks 1st worldwide for job security, with close to three-quarters (74%) giving this factor a positive rating (vs. 59% globally)!
Ireland’s 16th place regarding Work & Leisure is not quite as impressive, but still above average: 75% are, for example, happy with their working hours (vs. 63% globally). And all in all, 70% are satisfied with their job in general (vs. 64% globally).
Find out more in the Expat Insider 2022 report.
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