Bangkok’s quality of life has remained unchanged according to a new report published today.
The Thai capital is now ranked in 115th place in the annual Mercer Quality of Living 2014 report with its position remaining unchanged on last year’s placing, and having risen six places in 2012.
Singapore was ranked as the best in Asia and 25th globally. Interestingly the city-state’s position in Asia and globally has remained the same since last year’s report. Elsewhere in the region Kuala Lumpur was ranked in 80th position, with Jakarta occupying 146th place.
The annual report, published today, helps multinational companies and other employers compensate employees fairly when placing them on international assignments.
Vienna was revealed as the city with the world’s best quality of living, according to the rankings of 223 cities globally. Zurich and Auckland follow in second and third place respectively, while Munich is in fourth place, followed by Vancouver, which is also the highest-ranking city in North America.
Ranking 25 globally, Singapore is the highest-ranking Asian city, Dubai (73rd) ranks first across Middle East and Africa, while the city of Pointe-à-Pitre (69th) in Guadeloupe, takes the top spot for Central and South America.
Slagin Parakatil, Senior Researcher at Mercer, said: “Political instability, high crime levels, and elevated air pollution are a few factors that can be detrimental to the daily lives of expatriate employees their families and local residents.
“In a world economy that is becoming more globalised, cities beyond the traditional financial and business centres are working to improve their quality of living so they can attract more foreign companies.
“This year’s survey recognises so-called ‘second tier’ or ‘emerging’ cites and points to a few examples from around the world. These cities have been investing massively in their infrastructure and attracting foreign direct investments by providing incentives such as tax, housing, or entry facilities.”
Parakatil added that emerging cities will become major players that traditional financial centres and capital cities will have to compete with.
Singapore is followed by four Japanese cities – Tokyo (43rd), Kobe (47th), Yokohama (49th) and Osaka (57th), while Dushanbe (209th) in Tajikistan is the lowest-ranking city in the region.
Parakatil said: “Asia has a bigger range of quality-of-living standard amongst its cities than any other region. For many cities, such as those in South Korea, the quality of living is continually improving. But for others, such as some in China, issues like pervasive poor air pollution are eroding their quality of living.”
Andrew Batt, International Group Editor of PropertyGuru Group, wrote this story. To contact him about this or other stories email andrew@propertyguru.com.sg
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