Singapore
■ Population: 4,353,893
■ Capital: Singapore
■ Mercer cost of living: 83.6
■ Life expectancy: 81.5 years
■ Literacy: 92.5%
■ Government: Parliamentary republic
■ GDP per capita: US$23,700
■ Unemployment: 4.8%
■ Currency: Singapore dollar (SG$)
■ Exchange rate: SG$1 = £0.33; £1 = SG$3
■ Languages: English, Chinese Mandarin, Malay, Tamil
■ Climate: Tropical, hot and humid, with frequent rainfall and two monsoon seasons
■ Expats: There are approximately 13,000 British expats in Singapore.
SINGAPORE IS ONE OF THE world’s most prosperous nations, occupying a tiny island at the tip of the Malay Peninsula. It is a major transport hub and has the world’s busiest seaport. Singapore has heavily subsidised health, housing and education, and is extremely safe. Crime is virtually unheard of and the streets are litter-free.
Jobs and economy:v Singapore has a highly developed and successful freemarket economy, with one of the highest per capita GDP in the world.The economy relies heavily on exports. Singapore is the international centre for banking in Asia, has a large manufacturing industry and is a major centre for shipping. Many multinationals and several hundred UK companies have a base here.
Education: Education is compulsory from the age of seven. Foreign workers must pay $5,000 (£1,650) to enrol a child at a state school. English is usually taught as the first language in Singapore schools, but there are also plenty of international schools to choose from.
Healthcare: Singapore has a world-class healthcare system. The Ministry of Health offers subsidised healthcare, but private insurance is common and plans for foreign workers are readily available.
Renting: Accommodation is normally let on a one- or two-year lease, and there will be a deposit of about three months’ rent.
Buying: Property, unsurprisingly, is expensive in Singapore. A compact apartment in a decent and popular area will cost $600,000 (£200,000) or more. Solicitors’ fees, stamp duty, mortgage and survey costs add another five per cent. Permanent residents can borrow up to 80 per cent of the purchase price. Foreign buyers can purchase only premises in buildings of six storeys or higher, or in other approved condominiums. Property tax is based on the annual estimated rental value. Visas: Singapore is one of the world’s most immigrationfriendly nations. In most cases, all you need is an Employment Pass, which your employer or a local sponsor will secure. Passes are usually processed within a week and, if lodged online, can be turned around in a day. Spouses and children under the age of 21 need to apply for Dependents’ Passes. Tax: Rates in Singapore are low compared with Western countries. If you are there for 60 days or fewer, you pay no tax.Those staying for up to 183 days pay at the nonresident rate of 15 per cent or the residential rate, whichever is higher.Anyone staying for more than 183 days is classed as resident for tax purposes, and pays from zero to 22 per cent. Singapore has a tax treaty with the UK, so you don’t pay twice.
