81 % of expats do not "strongly agree" they have integrated into Singapore

It's a major drag why Singapore only ranked second in Asia in terms of quality of life.

Singapore scores well as a desirable place to live among expats, achieving 4th position in the ‘Expat Explorer Experience’ league table and second in Asia after Thailand (ranked 2nd in the world). The survey done by HSBC Global Reseach showed that majority of expats in Singapore (76%) are experiencing a better quality of life since relocation, close to half (48%) are enjoying higher standards of accommodation, more than half (57%) are commuting with greater ease and 43% are having a more active social life.

However, expats in Singapore are facing some challenges in integrating. Only 19% here strongly agree that they have integrated well with the local community, 41% strongly agree that they tend to socialise with other expats rather than locals, and only 15% strongly agree that they try to learn the local language.

Notwithstanding this, Singapore climbed seven places from 11th last year to 4th this year in this lifestyle indicator which examines expat quality of life including ease of setting up and integration, leisure and healthcare, how expats keep in touch with friends and family, and their plans for retirement.

Singapore is also child-friendly in the eyes of its expats, with 91% saying that their children’s safety had improved since relocating. Costs, however, appear to be a concern where 83% said they are spending more on education for their children here, and 83% said they are paying more for childcare.

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