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Luanda tops list of costliest locations for expatriates

Mercers 2013 cost of living survey found that Angola is the costliest location for expatriates to live in. (Image source: oneVillage Initiative)

Mercer’s 2013 cost of living survey revealed that Luanda, Angola, is the most expensive city for expatriates to live in

The survey, which has been designed to support multinational companies and governments to establish compensation allowances for their expatriate employees, revealed that the cost of imports to Angola and the cost of accommodation in the country are both high.

“Despite being one of Africa’s major oil producers, Angola is a relatively poor country yet expensive for expatriates since imported goods can be costly. In addition, finding secure living accommodations that meet the standards of expatriates can be challenging and quite costly."

The survey spans more than 214 cities across five continents and measures the comparative cost of more than 200 items in each location including housing, transportation, food, clothing, household goods and entertainment.

“Recent world events, including economic and political upheavals, which resulted in currency fluctuations, cost inflation for goods and services, and volatility in accommodation prices have impacted these cities making them expensive,” said Barb Marder, senior partner and Mercer’s global mobility practice leader.

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