The 10 most unoriginal expat destinations

The 10 most unoriginal expat destinations

Are you an American manager in Germany, a British teacher in Spain or an Indian businessman in the Emirates? Then I'm afraid you're among the most unoriginal expats in the world, according to the 2014 Expat Insider report from InterNations, an expat community with more than 1.4 million members.

We examined the report and picked out the top 10 most popular expat destinations and compared them to Expat Insider's overall satisfaction rankings. Interestingly, only three countries appear on both lists (US, Switzerland and Spain), suggesting that many expats could find a better quality of life in a country other than their chosen one.

If you're thinking of upping sticks and starting a new life, perhaps consider avoiding the obvious and choosing somewhere else... like Ecuador, Indonesia or the Czech Republic, all of which were recently ranked in the top 20 for expat happiness (see graphic below).

alt="Expat Destinations">InternationalExpat Insider rankings for overall satisfaction do not match the 10 most popular countries for expats below

1. Germany

alt="expat-destinations-germany">Dreamtime

Gender: 57% female vs. 43% male Average age: 35.6 years Average working hours: 39.2 hours/week

Safe and Secure Germany is the powerhouse of the EU and therefore attracts a large number of expats relative to its population, making it the most popular choice for expats overall. However, the country only ranks 12th on the overall satisfaction list. The weather and climate could also be a little better.

2. USA

alt="most visited countries">Dreamtime

Gender: 62% female vs. 38% male Average age: 39.6 years 7% Average working hours: 42 hours/week

The US ranks 5th on the overall satisfaction list, making it one of only three countries to make the top 10 of both lists (Switzerland and Spain are the others). Europeans are still flocking to the New World and are generally happy. However, they have to work long and hard for this with high average weekly working hours.

3. United Arab Emirates

Gender: 40% female vs. 60% male Average age: 37.8 years Top 3 Nationalities: Indian 23%, Pakistani 9%, Filipino 8% Top 3 Employment Status: Employee/Manager 68%, Entrepreneur/Entrepreneur 6%, Teacher/Academic 5% Average Working Hours: 45.6 hours/week

Rich in oil and opportunity, the UAE attracts expats looking for work from around the world, particularly Asia. Due to the different demographics here, expats tend to be male, older and work longer hours. Poor working conditions affect his position on the overall satisfaction list - in 33rd place.

4. Switzerland

Gender: 64% female vs. 36% male Average age: 38 years Top 3 nationalities: American 11%, Italian 9%, German 9% Top 3 employment status: Employee/manager 58%, job seeker 9%, entrepreneur/company owner 6% Average working hours: 42.3 hours/week

Peaceful Switzerland ranks fourth in overall satisfaction, helping to offset the high cost of living that many expats dislike. Excellent transport and travel conditions as well as strong health and safety services ensure that expats are generally satisfied with their lives here.

5. Great Britain

alt="Tower Bridge in London, Great Britain">S. Borisov/Shutterstock

Gender: 68% female vs. 32% male Average age: 36.9 years Top 3 nationalities: German 10%, Americans 9%, French 6% Scientific staff 7% Average working hours: 39.2 hours/week

Despite the weather and cost of living, Old Blighty still ranks quite well on the overall satisfaction list (position 21). As long as you're happy living firmly off the property ladder and carrying an umbrella every day, you'll be happy in the UK. Travel opportunities in the EU are unlimited and close trade relationships support employment promises.

6. China

Gender: 53% female vs. 47% male Average age: 38.2 years Top 3 nationalities: US 17%, German 10%, British 8% Business owner 9% Average working hours: 42.5 hours/week

China appears to be a great place to work, but expats struggle to truly settle down and call the country home. Poor education and health services mean that, despite offering more bang for the buck, China struggles to match Western standards of living. The country ranks 38th on the overall satisfaction list.

7. France

alt="France is one of the most visited countries in the world">Dennis van de Water/Shutterstock

Gender: 65% female vs. 35% male Average age: 40.6 years for work 8% Average working hours: 37.6 hours/week

France isn't just for retired Brits, although Brits are the largest expat group there - not to mention the fact that France has one of the highest average ages of expats. A lack of career opportunities and difficulty settling in means France ranks 40th on the overall happiness list.

8. Netherlands

Gender: 69% female vs. 31% male Average age: 36 years Average working hours: 38.2 hours/week

Education, work and transport connections make the Netherlands a desirable place for expats. Language barriers are not a problem for Brits and Americans because so many local businesses based there speak English. The country ranks 23rd on the overall satisfaction list.

9. Spain

alt="madrid at night">Dreamtime

Gender: 65% female vs. 35% male Average age: 42 years %Average working hours: 38.4 hours/week

Spain is the last of the three countries to make the top 10 in both lists, ranking 7th for overall satisfaction and 9th for most popular expats. Despite economic and employment problems, Spain is still an extremely popular expat destination among Europeans.

10. Belgium

Gender: 63% female vs. 37% male Average age: 37.6 years %Average working hours: 40.3 hours/week

Not a country of extremes, Belgium ranks 29th out of 60 for overall satisfaction. Belgium attracts a large number of expats, mainly due to work-related factors in the public and private sectors. As the seat of EU power and politics, the country is a comfortable (but not the most inspiring) choice for expat destinations.

Main image: Dennis van de Water/Shutterstock

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