INTERNATIONAL REWARD
New worldwide quality of living survey for 2004
Mercer Human Resource Consulting has released its latest annual survey to help multinational companies assess international hardship allowances for their expatriate workers.
According to the figures gathered by Mercer, Zurich and Geneva have the highest overall "quality of life", while Baghdad scores the lowest.
The analysis is part of a worldwide quality of life survey, covering 215 cities, to help governments and major companies place employees on international assignments. Cities are ranked against New York as the base city which has a rating of 100.
Geneva moves up from second place last year (score 106) and pushes Vancouver down a place (score 106). This move takes account of Geneva's schools where standards of education, both in public and private schools, are now rated among the best in the world.
Cities in Europe, New Zealand and Australia continue to dominate the top of the rankings. Vienna shares third place with Vancouver (score 106), while Auckland, Bern, Copenhagen, Frankfurt and Sydney are joint fifth with a score of 105.
US cities slip down rankings
Meanwhile, US cities have slipped in the rankings this year as tighter restrictions have been imposed on entry to the country. Increased security checks on arrivals and departures from the country can be very time-consuming for expatriates.
Honolulu and San Francisco rank highest, both at position 24 (score 102). Atlanta ranks lowest at position 66 (score 94.5).
EU capital city rankings for overall quality of life
| EU ranking | Worldwide ranking | City | Index |
| 1 | 3 (2) | Vienna | 106 |
| 2 | 5 (5) | Copenhagen | 105 |
| 3 | 10 (10) | Amsterdam | 104.5 |
| 4 | 12 (12) | Brussels | 104 |
| 5 | 15 (15) | Berlin | 103.5 |
| 5 | 15 (15) | Luxembourg | 103.5 |
| 5 | 15 (15) | Stockholm | 103.5 |
| 8 | 23 (23) | Dublin | 102.5 |
| 9 | 24 (26) | Helsinki | 102 |
| 10 | 31 (31) | Paris | 101.5 |
| 11 | 35 (39) | London | 100.5 |
| 12 | 38 (44) | Madrid | 100 |
| 13 | 51 (55) | Lisbon | 97.5 |
| 14 | 61 (66) | Rome | 95.5 |
| 15 | 78 (79) | Athens | 85.5 |
Note: Figures in brackets are from last year’ s survey.
New York has been used as the base score for quality of life with a score of 100 points.
Source: Mercer Human Resource Consulting.
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Methodology: The research was largely carried out in November 2003 and is updated to take account of changing circumstances. Mercer's study is based on detailed assessments and evaluations of 39 key quality of life determinants, grouped in the following categories:
Availability: Individual reports are produced for each city surveyed, but there is no overall summary report available. Further information and copies of the reports are available from client services, Mercer Global Information Services, tel: +41 22 869 3000. Also, visit the Mercer web site on www.imercer.com/GlobalContent/EmployeeMobility/Quality.asp
For more information, or to purchase reports comparing the most popular cities, visit www.mercerhr.com/qualityofliving
Mercer Human Resource Consulting is one of the world's leading consulting organisations. It has more than 13,000 employees serving clients from some 150 cities in 40 countries worldwide. To find out more visit www.mercerhr.com
Posted 8 March 2004