World of Expats: Increasing number of people attracted by the expat lifestyle
Brighton, UK (PRWEB UK) 13 February 2014 -- Recent figures from Finaccord (http://www.finaccord.com/press-release_2014_uk_global-expatriates_size-segmentation-and-forecast-for-the-worldwide-market.htm) (29 January 2014) predict that the total number of expats worldwide is set to reach 56.8 million by 2017 (from 50.5 million this year). Of these, in 2013, the majority were ‘individual workers’ (73.6%) followed by students at 8.8%.
Students – the expat workers of tomorrow - will constitute the most rapidly growing category of expatriates worldwide between 2013 and 2017, increasing at a compound annual rate of 3.6%.
“There are two stories in these figures,” says Nigel Ayres, Founder and CEO, World of Expats – a new website which provides information and advice covering all the issues faced by expats. “Firstly, moving abroad can be a fantastic opportunity for young people and foreign study has been shown to boost job prospects. On the other hand, a number of factors have combined – including the high cost of living and studying in the UK, as well as the dreary weather – which have made some young people think that living abroad may be their only viable option.”
He continues: “The interest in spending time abroad seen in the younger generations reinforces our belief that the numbers living and working overseas is set to continue growing for the foreseeable future.”
Another recent report, this time from Lloyds Bank (http://www.lloydsbankinggroup.com/media/press-releases/2014/lloyds-bank/parents-consider-moving-abroad-to-improve-childrens-quality-of-life-survey-reveals/), (19 January 2014) suggests that 35 per cent of ‘affluent British parents’ would consider leaving Britain in the future. The main driver behind this decision is the expectation of an increased quality of life for children, exposure to a different culture and helping children learn a foreign language.
In the meantime, the Finaccord figures also reveal that the number of retired expatriates worldwide is set to grow by 2.8% over the next four years – highlighting that age is no barrier when it comes to starting a new life overseas. Other expat groups are also set to increase – individual workers by 3.2% and corporate transferees by 2.8%.
World of Expats is a global community, providing advice to anyone thinking about living abroad, whatever their age and whatever their motivation for becoming an expat.
“Living overseas can be a fantastic opportunity,” says Nigel. “But there are hoops which need to be jumped through and we are here to help provide advice and access to those essential services which you’ll need – from buying a property to relocating the family pet.”
Buying abroad can be daunting – but World of Expats provides a host of information and advice from Property Guides (compiled by the Overseas Guides Company) to mortgage advice from Overseas Mortgage Broker and help with moving money abroad from Smart Currency.
There is also a Hot Property section on the site (run in conjunction with Rightmove Overseas) where prospective buyers can view a range of properties for sale in locations including the US, France, Australia and Italy, which is updated daily.
“Moving or living abroad is something which really does broaden the horizons of anyone, whatever their age,” says Nigel. “At World of Expats we are ready with all the resources and advice you’ll need.”
Notes to editors:
• Launched in September 2013, World of Expats is the first destination for expats.
• The site provides a combination of destination specific guides for expats, together with information and advice covering all of the issues faced by expats, as well as tools and access to services.
• http://www.worldofexpats.com has been launched by Nigel Ayres, former co-founder of The Forum for Expatriate Management, a global community of professionals involved in managing international assignee programmes at large and medium-sized corporates. Nigel has lived and worked as an expatriate in Hong Kong, Malaysia and twice in California.
• In launching World of Expats, Nigel is partnering with Living Abroad, a leading provider of destination information and other services to the global mobility market.
• Among the services offered by World of Expats is Hot Properties – which provides links to properties from Rightmove Overseas. In addition, there are property guides from The Overseas Guides Company (OGC).
• Foreign exchange services and advice is available from an alliance with Smart Currency, while Oversea Mortgage Broker gives access to advice on financing an overseas property purchase.
• World of Expats has also announced a partnership with VisitRentals – the world’s largest online inventory of serviced apartments and aparthotels.
• Other tools and services available on the site include a job board powered by Xpat Jobs.
• World of Expats will also be hosting exhibitions in London and New York later this year (dates to be confirmed).
http://www.worldofexpats.com
Angela Ward, The Marketing Eye, +44 1825765617, [email protected]
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