Singapore expat pay package hit $325,000 in 2018

This was thanks to the average salary increase of $6,713.50.

Expat pay packages in Singapore rose by $18,130.85 (US$13,163) to $325,424.24 (US$236,258) in 2018, which includes an average cash salary of $124,200.25 (US$90,170), according to a study by ECA International. The latest reading puts Singapore as the 9th costliest city in Asia for expats, trailing behind Japan, China and India.

The increase in average expat pay package was attributed to the average salary growth of $6,713.50 (US$4,874). Benefits also went up by $8,815.37 (US$6,400) on average.

“Expatriate pay packages in Singapore increased across the board in 2018, with salaries increasing by nearly US$5,000 and benefits going up by US$6,400 on average.”

“[W]ith minimal increases in personal tax and extremely low tax-related costs as compared to most of the other locations in our rankings, Singapore sits at the 19th position globally,” said Lee Quane, regional director for Asia at ECA International. “This is good news for companies with workers currently living in Singapore though, with cash salary and benefits remaining relatively high, and taxes staying low – resulting in less expense for employers when relocating staff to the country.”

UK has dethroned Japan as the most expensive location in the world to send expats as its accommodation costs rose. Middle Eastern nations like Saudi Arabia and UAE also offer competitive salaries for expats at $132,767.68 (US$96,390) and $129,322.80 (US$93,889), respectively.