Survey: Philippines remains attractive to expats

CEBU, Philippines — The Philippines continues to be an attractive second home destination for expatriates, among Southeast Asian countries, a survey revealed.

The Expat Explorer survey commissioned by HSBC (Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited), indicated that Philippines, with its tropical climate, emerging economy, and an increasingly influential role in Asia and beyond, attracted a growing number of growing expatriates to bring their families and settle down in the Philippines.

Based on the survey, which was participated by 22,318 expats from 163 countries and territories through an online questionnaire in March and April 2018, the Philippines scored fairly in terms of being a great expat destination for families and raising children.

Majority of the respondents or 56 percent of Expats are saying that the Philippines has brought them closer to their partner.

In fact, 64 percent of them have found their long-time partner in the Philippines.

Meantime, 56 percent consider raising children in the Philippines less expensive, as compared to their home country; with 43 percent even saying that moving here has brought them closer to their children as well and 42 percent saying overall quality of life for their children is better in the Philippines.

As expected, the Philippines also scored well when it comes to adaptability to the local people and culture, with 69 percent of Expats integrating well with the local people and culture and feeling like ‘family’.

More than half of expats also found it easy to form new friendships (58 percent).

Expats here also say that they have been welcomed by the Filipinos regardless of faith, race, gender or sexual orientation, which is not a surprise, given the Filipinos’ warmth and hospitality, and the vibrant and friendly local culture.

A good 71 percent of expats also took only less than a year to feel at home in the Philippines.

“Expats seem to unanimously agree that the best thing about living in the Philippines is the Filipino people. I am not surprised that more and more Expats find the Philippines as a great place for families, raising children and bringing them closer to one another – given the Filipinos’ strong family ties. As an expat myself, I feel that I am part of a large family in the Philippines.

The way expats feel about everyday life, is what truly makes or breaks the overseas experience,” said Kris Werner, HSBC Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management for Philippines.