RI seen as 'most stressful' for expatriates in Asia<\/p>\n
Agence France-Presse, Singapore<\/p>\n
Indonesia, South Korea, and Vietnam are the most stressful Asian
\ncountries for expatriates to live in, while Japan, Malaysia, the
\nPhilippines and Thailand offer the least pressure, a regional
\npoll showed.<\/p>\n
The Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) said its
\nsurvey of more than 1,000 expatriates in the region in June and
\nJuly showed anxiety levels were already rising well before the
\nSeptember terror attacks in the U.S.<\/p>\n
"One can only presume that stress levels have increased
\nfurther during the past two and a half months," said the Hong
\nKong-based firm, which provides advice to companies doing
\nbusiness in the region.<\/p>\n
On a scale of one to 10, with 10 representing the most
\nstressful situation, Indonesia scored the worst average grade of
\n7.33, dislodging last year's most high-pressure country for
\nexpatriates, Vietnam, which has improved noticeably.<\/p>\n
"That is not really surprising considering that foreigners
\nhave been the target of demonstrations this past year, parts of
\n(Indonesia) are experiencing quite violent conditions, corruption
\nand red tape are worse than perhaps in any other Asian country,
\nand many companies are fighting to stay afloat," PERC commented.<\/p>\n
Indonesia was followed by South Korea at 6.67 and Vietnam at
\n6.50. China and India were tied at fourth place with a grade of
\n6.25.<\/p>\n
Next were Taiwan at 6.00, Hong Kong at 5.30 Singapore at 5.00.<\/p>\n
"Money does not buy peace of mind. With the exception of
\nJapan, Asia's wealthier economies were ranked in the middle of
\nthe pack .. moreover, the biggest deterioration in stress grades
\ncompared with one year ago occurred in the most developed
\neconomies," PERC observed.<\/p>\n
"Since this is where economic growth has slowed the most
\nsharply, there is probably a correlation between stress and sharp
\nbreaks in economic growth patterns (as distinct from the absolute
\nlevel of industrial development)."<\/p>\n
On the other end of the scale, Thailand scored 4.73, the
\nPhilippines and Malaysia tied for second-best at 4.50, and Japan
\nwas seen as the least stressful for expatriates with a score of
\n4.00.<\/p>\n
Japan preserved its 2000 top ranking but suffering a sharp
\ndecline in marks. It had scored 2.00 last year.<\/p>\n
PERC said that high stress levels did not necessarily mean bad
\nnews for business, noting that China and South Korea have drawn
\nmore foreign investment than countries with better marks in the
\nsurvey.<\/p>\n
"Compared with what many average Chinese are going through,
\nmost foreigners working in China enjoy the good life. Their
\nfrustrations have more to do with the bureaucracy, language and
\ncultural barriers, and some relatively minor living
\ninconveniences," it said.<\/p>\n
In Hong Kong, expatriates "are not in a particularly good mood
\nthese days".<\/p>\n
"They are cynical about the quality of political leadership,
\nunhappy with the level of air pollution, and worried about their
\njobs," PERC said.<\/p>\n
In recession-hit Singapore, Hong Kong's economic arch rival,
\nstress levels have "increased considerably" over the past year
\nbut it scored better in part because the pace of life "is
\nsomewhat less frenetic than in Hong Kong".<\/p>\n
"It could also be because there is greater confidence in
\nSingapore in the government's leadership capabilities," it said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-seen-as-most-stressful-for-expatriates-in-asia-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}