2018全球生活成本调查（英文版）_14页

Worldwide Cost of Living 2018 Summary

Core Content

The Worldwide Cost of Living 2018 report, published by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), ranks global cities based on their cost of living, using New York as the base city with an index of 100. The report highlights the impact of currency fluctuations, inflation, and economic trends on the cost of living across 133 cities.

Main Findings

Top 10 Most Expensive Cities

• Singapore remains the most expensive city for the fifth consecutive year with an index of 116.
• Paris (France) and Zurich (Switzerland) are tied for second place with an index of 112.
• Hong Kong ranks fourth with an index of 111.
• Oslo (Norway) is fifth with an index of 107.
• Geneva (Switzerland) and Seoul (South Korea) are sixth with an index of 106.
• Copenhagen (Denmark) is eighth with an index of 105.
• Tel Aviv (Israel) is ninth with an index of 103.
• Sydney (Australia) is tenth with an index of 102.

Key Trends

• Singapore continues to be the most expensive city, but offers value in categories like personal care and domestic help.
• Seoul has significantly risen in cost, with a grocery basket almost 50% more expensive than in New York.
• Tel Aviv saw a sharp increase due to currency appreciation and high car-related costs.
• New York dropped to 13th place due to a weaker US dollar, but is still more expensive than it was five years ago.
• Asia and Europe dominate the top ten, with only Tel Aviv representing the Middle East.
• Currency fluctuations were a major driver of changes in the ranking. For example:
  • Tashkent (Uzbekistan) dropped 35 places due to a 50% depreciation of the som.
  • Cairo (Egypt) fell by 22 places after the Egyptian pound lost half its value.
  • Mexico City rose 23 places due to peso volatility and inflation.
  • Santiago (Chile) and Moscow (Russia) also moved up due to currency strength and commodity price increases.

Cheapest Cities

• Damascus (Syria) is the cheapest city in the world with an index of 26.
• Caracas (Venezuela) ranks second with an index of 33.
• Almaty (Kazakhstan), Lagos (Nigeria), Bangalore (India), Karachi (Pakistan), Algiers (Algeria), Chennai (India), Bucharest (Romania), and New Delhi (India) are among the ten cheapest cities.
• Prices in these cities have dropped due to economic and political instability, but this often comes with lower quality of life.

Key Insights

Cost of Living by Category

• Asian cities are the most expensive for grocery shopping, while European cities are priciest for household, personal care, recreation, and entertainment.
• Transport costs are particularly high in Tel Aviv, which is 79% more expensive than New York.
• Alcohol is the second most expensive item in Tel Aviv, with the city also being the second most expensive for alcohol purchases.
• Car ownership and maintenance are major contributors to high living costs in Singapore and Tel Aviv.

Economic and Political Factors

• Currency devaluation and inflation significantly impact the cost of living index.
• Political instability in some of the cheapest cities correlates with lower liveability.
• The UK's Brexit has contributed to a decline in the relative cost of living, but may lead to further price increases in 2018 due to currency weakness and supply chain disruptions.

Future Outlook

• The report suggests that 2018 will see continued economic growth in the US, euro area, and Japan, but emerging markets may face economic shocks and currency swings.
• Commodity prices, especially oil, will continue to influence the cost of living, with emerging economies likely to see increased costs as global prices recover.
• Political shocks, such as those in the US and China, could lead to trade disruptions, affecting the cost of living through import and export price changes.

Methodology and Purpose

• The survey is biannual, conducted in March and September, with results published in June and December.
• It compares over 400 individual prices across 160 products and services in 90 countries.
• The cost-of-living index is calculated using weighted average prices in US dollars, based on international spending patterns.
• The report is intended for businesses, governments, and HR professionals to understand cost-of-living allowances and expatriate compensation.

Conclusion

The 2018 report underscores the dynamic nature of the global cost of living, influenced heavily by currency fluctuations, inflation, and economic conditions. While Singapore and Western European cities remain the most expensive, currency weakness and economic instability have driven some cities to the bottom of the list. The report serves as a valuable resource for decision-making in international business and relocation planning.