Change ranking criteria using the dropdown menus:

League Table (based on 2012 results)

CHANGE VIEW

Compare results

table view chart view

Malaysia

United Arab Emirates

Economics

 

30th

1st

Overall

MY

12th

AE

20th

Income

MY

12th

AE

19th

Disposable income

MY

11th

AE

21st

Higher quality accommodation

MY

6th

AE

8th

Domestic helper/staff

MY

9th

AE

16th

Swimming pool

MY

6th

AE

14th

More than one property

MY

11th

AE

17th

Nicer Cars

MY

20th

AE

3rd

Boat or yacht

MY

25th

AE

19th

More luxurious holidays

MY

3rd

AE

12th

Healthcare

MY

20th

AE

12th

Experience

 

30th

1st

Overall

MY

5th

AE

23rd

Organising school for my children

MY

7th

AE

22nd

Organising finances

MY

2nd

AE

23rd

Organising healthcare

MY

7th

AE

16th

Finding accommodation

MY

4th

AE

24th

Learning the local language

MY

21st

AE

18th

Getting used to local food

MY

10th

AE

19th

Local weather

MY

9th

AE

26th

Making friends

MY

12th

AE

13th

Local work culture

MY

8th

AE

14th

Setting up utilities

MY

8th

AE

18th

Fitting in the new culture

MY

1st

AE

16th

Local transport

MY

3rd

AE

21st

Enjoying local food

MY

8th

AE

21st

Local culture

MY

2nd

AE

22nd

Using the local language

MY

28th

AE

22nd

Making local friends

MY

1st

AE

26th

Integrating into the community

MY

15th

AE

25th

Feeling welcome at work

MY

14th

AE

23rd

Local shops and markets

MY

10th

AE

26th

Social life

MY

7th

AE

15th

Sports

MY

9th

AE

22nd

Working environment

MY

16th

AE

14th

Work / life balance

MY

26th

AE

16th

Entertainment

MY

7th

AE

9th

Quality of accommodation

MY

3rd

AE

14th

Commuting

MY

15th

AE

10th

Travelling more

MY

13th

AE

19th

Healthcare access and quality

MY

9th

AE

12th

Healthy diet

MY

9th

AE

22nd

Expat Hints & Tips

Find and share advice on expat life. Whether you're about to move, have just moved or are a seasoned expat, find hundreds of useful hints and tips about life abroad. You can even add your own and be part of the conversation.

Go to Expat Hints & Tips

Expat Explorer ranks 30 countries across various criteria from the 2012 survey.

See how Malaysia and United Arab Emirates compare, or use the dropdown menus above to add or remove criteria and see which country performs best.

Expat banking

A safe haven for your money, with convenient international access and potential tax efficiency.

How HSBC can help

Case studies

Expats talk about their experiences, including the rewards, challenges and practicalities of life abroad.

Expat case studies

Expat Guides

A series of guides to help you prepare for the key challenges you may face when living and working abroad.

Expat guides

Got a question?

Request a call

Or call us on

+44 1534 616 055

We're open 24/7. Calls may be monitored and/or recorded for security and service improvement purposes.