18th January 2022
Contracting overseas has always been a great way to not only gain professional experience rapidly but also see and experience all our world has to offer – whilst being paid for the privilege. Whether you are an international contractor with specialist IT experience or have a wealth of knowledge in the pharmaceutical arena, working across international borders can pay dividends, and as Covid restrictions continue to ease globally, a growing number of skilled workers are considering their next move. But where are the top destinations for both job opportunities and quality of life?
Below are some of the best countries for contract professionals today:
Switzerland
There is more to Switzerland than just great chocolate, scenery and timepieces! In fact, the country topped the latest IMD World Competitiveness Ranking for the first time in 2021. The report ranks 64 economies and assesses the extent to which a country promotes the prosperity of its people by measuring economic well-being through hard data and survey responses from executives. It is also currently holding the number one spot on the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Global Innovation Index.
Three of Switzerland’s cities featured on the latest InterNations Expat City Ranking, with Lausanne in the eighth spot, Zurich coming in sixth and Basel in second place. The report highlights how, across all three Swiss cities, ex-pats are very satisfied with the public transportation system, as well as the safety and political stability. Switzerland also takes the top spot on Numbeo’s latest Quality of Life Index and comes sixth on CEO Worlds recent country rankings.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong remains a popular destination for skilled workers, despite the increasing political tensions, who are looking to experience some of the fantastic sights, culture, and cuisine that Asia has to offer. Job opportunities are plentiful thanks to the many major financial and professional services firms which are based here, each keen to attract talent. Hong Kong also ranks highly on the Global Innovation Index, as reported by the World Economic Forum.
Expats report that it is easy to make friends and build a social life in Hong Kong when compared to other destinations. It is also worth noting that 86% of ex-pats find it easy to operate here without knowledge of the local language, compared to 54% globally.
Germany
As the largest economy in Europe, Germany unsurprisingly offers plentiful opportunities for contractors. As well as providing great opportunities for career progression, Germany also performs consistently well where the quality of life indices are concerned thanks to low overheads and great food and drink.
It tops the latest Anholt Ipsos Nation Brands Index, which assesses how citizens of the world view its nations, taking into account factors including governance, culture and immigration.
The city of Aachen ranks second globally in InterNation’s Urban Work Life Index thanks to the cost of living and working hours, beaten only by Munich which takes pole position due to factors including great local career opportunities as well as work-life balance.
However, it is worth noting that while the social security requirements of contractors in Germany will vary depending on how you are contracted, there are a number of planned changes to social security this year, so check with an expert to make sure you are compliant.
Denmark
Denmark enjoys a fantastic reputation globally for being a great place to live and work, and this was recognised in InterNation’s latest Export City Ranking, where Copenhagen took the top spot for work-life balance. It also comes first for the affordability of healthcare. Similarly, CEO World magazine and Numbeo have both also praised the county for quality of life in recent reports.
According to the World Economic Forum’s latest Global Competitiveness Report, Denmark, along with Sweden and Finland, also scores highly for ‘economic transformation readiness’, suggesting that opportunities for contractors in this country will only continue to grow in the near future.
Just some of the best countries for contract professionals
We have listed some of the best counties for contract professionals above, but there are plenty of exciting destinations that offer fantastic career opportunities coupled with a great way of life. However, whether you are looking for a short-term assignment or a long-term placement, always make sure you are operating compliantly in line with local laws.
Speak to our experts to find out how they can ensure you remain compliant no matter where in the world you operate.