A combination of ongoing coronavirus pandemic restrictions and reduced media freedom has sent Hong Kong plunging down the global liveability rankings, with the Chinese city overtaken by Paris, London and Montreal.
It is the 77th most liveable location in the world for workers relocating from elsewhere in East Asia, according to ECA International‘s annual survey.
Many major Asian locations have tumbled in the rankings including Taipei, Macau and Seoul, as Covid-19 restrictions affect living conditions.
“Hong Kong has seen a significant drop in our latest liveability rankings partly as a result of the increasing censorship of local news and media, impacting on the ‘freedom of news and media’ aspect of the overall liveability score” Lee Quane, Asia regional director at ECA International, said.
“At the same time, many locations which were ranked below Hong Kong last year have relaxed many Covid-19 induced social distancing measures resulting in them moving up our global rankings and overtaking the city.”
ECA’s Location Ratings system objectively evaluates the overall quality of living in over 490 locations worldwide.
The system helps companies establish appropriate allowances to compensate employees for the adjustment required when going on international assignment.
Factors assessed include climate; availability of health services; housing and utilities; natural phenomena; isolation; access to a social network and leisure facilities; infrastructure; personal safety; political tensions; and air quality.
Singapore remains the most liveable location in the world for expatriates from East Asia, despite seeing a similar trend to Hong Kong this year, with the overall liveability score worsening.
Tighter Internet Censorship
“Singapore remains the most liveable location in the world for overseas workers from other locations in East Asia, fighting off competition from Wellington, New Zealand and various Japanese cities,” Quane said.
This was in spite of the liveability score worsening in Singapore due to a combination of very strict lockdown measures and increasing internet censorship.
This meant that the gap between Singapore and the second and third placed cities has shrunk since last year, but Singapore retains its spot “as a result of outstanding scores in other areas such as international schooling, infrastructure and housing”, Quane added.
Macau, which remains one of the most sealed off locations, dropped 30 places. Taipei recorded the biggest plunge in the rankings, dropping 31 places to tie with Hong Kong as the 77th most liveable location.
“Taipei is normally a fixture in the top 50 most liveable global locations but saw a notable drop this year,” Quane said. “Part of this fall was due to the ongoing effects of Covid-19 restrictions reducing recreational activities for residents.”
The downward trend for Asian locations also included mainland Chinese cities, which all fell in the liveability rankings. The highest placed Chinese city, Shanghai, is in 117th place while Zhengzhou dropped 14 places to 194.
London-based ECA International provides data, software services, consultancy and training to help companies manage compensation and benefits for international workers.
- George Russell
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