Top 11 Countries for a Career Boost

1. United Arab Emirates

In the UAE, 76% of expats say the move improved their career prospects, far exceeding the global average of 56%. Once arrived (and working), around two-thirds find that the local business culture supports flexibility, too.

“The UAE has created an opportunity for me to earn a living and provide my family with the financial support they need,” says a Philippine expat.

All in all, a large share of expats in the UAE are working full time (74% vs. 57% globally). Top sectors here include hospitality, finance, and IT.

2. Saudi Arabia

Over three in five expats (63%) moved to Saudi Arabia for job related reasons. So it’s good news that three-quarters find that this relocation also boosted their career prospects.

The county boasts a thriving job market, with Saudi Arabia ranking 1st for this point. Top sectors include construction, healthcare, and IT. But better be prepared for long working hours! On average, expats here spend 47.8 hours at a full-time job. That’s over five hours a week more than the global average.

3. Qatar

Qatar seems to beckon expats with promises of improved career prospects — seven in ten agree the move has been good for their career. However, expats’ satisfaction with their job and working hours is slightly below average.

Top employment sectors include hospitality, healthcare, and transportation & logistics.

4. United States of America

The land of opportunity doesn’t disappoint!

Even though just 28% of expats moved specifically for job-related reasons, seven in ten say this move to the USA improved their career opportunities. And two-thirds (67%) appreciate the flexible business culture.

“I like the opportunity to make money and get ahead in life financially,” shares an Irish expat.

Popular sectors in the USA include finance, healthcare, and IT.

5. United Kingdom

The UK seems to offer a vibrant job scene, with 63% describing their personal career opportunities as promising. Over seven in ten respondents also agree that the business culture supports flexibility, as they flock to the healthcare, finance, and IT sectors.

“I like the ability to work in my profession in another country and learn from this opportunity,” says an expat originally from Trinidad and Tobago.

Interestingly, only 28% of expats moved to the UK primarily for job-related reasons (vs. 35% globally). While about twice the global average relocated for their education (19% vs. 9%).

6. Ireland

In Ireland, around seven in ten of expats appreciate the flexible business culture (70%) and are content with their working hours (66%). Expats are most commonly found in sectors such as IT, healthcare, and finance, finding ample avenues for career progression. In fact, 68% find relocating to Ireland has increased their opportunities.

And contrary to the neighboring UK, expats in Ireland are also satisfied with their job security (3rd place vs. rank 30 in the UK).

7. China

In China, 55% of expats made the move for job-related purposes, 20 percentage points above the global average of 35%. And indeed, around two-thirds find the relocation advanced their career.

“There are more job opportunities and chances to grow in terms of career,” says a US American expat.

Seven in ten expats are working full time, and 62% are satisfied with their career prospects (vs. 53% globally). There is a blend of opportunities waiting for you in various sectors like education, manufacturing & engineering, and commerce & trade.

8. Luxembourg

Luxembourg offers expats a strong job security, with 76% expressing satisfaction here. Additionally, above-average shares are happy with their job (71%) and enjoy a good work–life balance (68%).

All of that is great news for the 60% of expats who moved for job-related reasons (vs. 35% globally).

Key sectors here are finance, the public sector, and IT.

9. Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, 70% of expats find the move enhanced their career prospects and four in five work full time. However, these careers can come at a cost: over at third of respondents (34%) are dissatisfied with their working hours and the administrative region ranks among the bottom 3 destinations for this factor.

Expats are commonly found working in education, finance, and consulting, with a total of 68% saying they moved to Hong Kong for job-related reasons (vs. 35% globally).

10. Singapore

Singapore beckons expats with the lure of career advancement: three in five moved there for a job, and indeed 69% find the relocation has improved their prospects.

A not insignificant 77% are working full time — but Singapore ranks among the worst countries for work–life balance (45th out of 53). Still, sectors like IT, education, and construction provide a fertile ground for employment.

11. Oman

In Oman, 66% of expats find satisfaction in their job and a similar share (65%) agree relocating to the country has improved their career prospects. Opinions about their current personal career opportunities are rather average, though (55% vs. 53% globally), and a Zambian respondent points out that it can be “hard to get a good job if you are not a citizen”.

Still, around three-quarters are happy with their working hours, which are even slightly less than the worldwide average (42.3 hours / week in full-time jobs vs. 42.5 hours globally). Expats often find themselves working in sectors like construction, education, healthcare, and hospitality.