Expat Explorer Survey 2018

Overall country ranking

13 TH
Expats in the USA for Economics

Based on 1368 interviews

23 RD 29 TH
33% 67% Have kids for Experience

Female Male

18–34
20%
Age
36% 28 TH
for Family
55%
35–54

25%
55+ Career progression

Own property
Ave income in the USA

USD 185,120 48% Work / life balance

United States of America
Employment status
Expats in the USA Outside work, expats here have make new friends and the chance
2% 78% 4% 12% 4% a range of different experiences to enjoy their free time is crucial.
Expats flock to the USA for the in this vast nation. The USA has
career opportunities. Half have dropped 5 places to 29th for Americans overseas have been
Student Employed Unemployed Retired Other lived here for more than five years, experience and comes in at only away from home a long time –
and despite some reservations 23rd out of 31 countries for overall more than a quarter for 20 years
about the work/life balance and rankings this year. or more. Originally leaving the
Top regions of origin Top 3 reasons for moving here stress levels, they have stayed USA to challenge themselves

58% 44% above all because they want to Half of the expats here say their more than anything else, almost

8% continue that career development. quality of life and that of their half say they are more adaptable
Europe
North America To progress my career children is better here than it was since becoming an expat. More
Almost two thirds say they’ve at home, despite greater concerns than a third are more open-
32% had the chance to gain new over safety. minded and more than a quarter
Central & South America 8% Sent by an employer skills since the move. More than are happy as a direct result of
half also say they’re now more But a third (34%) work longer their new life overseas.
29% confident at work and nearly two hours here than they did at home,
thirds are more adaptable. perhaps leaving them less time to The style of that life can vary
To challenge myself
work on more personal goals like dramatically. Americans abroad
Coming in 13th for economics improving their social life, health are spread far and wide across the
this year, and offering an income and wellbeing, which can suffer. globe, settled in countries ranging
Expats from the USA Ave income Top 3 destinations worth almost USD 80,000 more from neighbouring Mexico (20%)
than the average expat, 67% of More than half (57%) say their to the UK (10%), China (7%),
Based on 1836 interviews
USD 106,295 41% 25% 21%
those living in the USA agree that
their earnings prospects are better
social circle is smaller in the USA
and a quarter (26%) say it’s been
Thailand (7%) and Hong Kong
(4%) to name only a few.
The Far East Europe East Asia / than at home. In fact, the average harder to form new friendships.
37% 63% Have kids North America income has increased by a third That’s not a problem Americans These days, they are almost as
Female Male
22% Top reason for moving away
thanks to the move. abroad seem to share. likely to simply call themselves
‘expats’ as ‘US citizens’.
Age Employed A third have used the extra income USA nationals abroad
10% 31% to invest in property and half have
18–34
49% To retire
been able to invest more for their
retirement. Unlike many other
This year’s study seems to
suggest that one of the first things
30% Own property countries, most of the expats here Americans do as they approach
35–54
in the USA keep the majority of their wealth, retirement is to ponder a move
60%
55+ 28% including property, savings and
their pension in the USA.
abroad. It means the quality of life
in their new home, the ability to

Survey conducted by YouGov between March and April 2018 on behalf of HSBC Expat