Kuala Lumpur ranked 118th according to ECA International. Credit thetravelauthor
This article was originally published by Sharen Kaur on The News Strait Times
Kuala Lumpur, George Town, and Johor Bahru have increased in worldwide liveability ranks for East Asian expats, according to the latest Location Ratings survey published by global mobility specialist ECA International.
According to the poll, Kuala Lumpur rose two ranks to 118th, while George Town and Johor Bahru both rose one spot to 122nd and 125th, respectively.
Malaysia’s ranking gain was largely due to the loosening of Covid-19 limitations.
Lee Quane, ECA’s regional director for Asia, said that an area’s ranking is influenced by what happens in that location as well as other locations under its scrutiny.
He said Malaysia’s relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions was the main driver of improved liveability scores and rankings across all three locations in the past year.
Lee Quane, ECA’s regional director for Asia, said that an area’s ranking is influenced by what happens in that location as well as other locations under its scrutiny.
He said Malaysia’s relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions was the main driver of improved liveability scores and rankings across all three locations in the past year.
Singapore held its top spot, while locations in Indonesia and the Philippines rose in the rankings.
Yangon, Myanmar, was the only ASEAN location to see its ranking drop due to the country’s continuous deterioration of security conditions.
“Singapore relaxed social distancing restrictions earlier than other locations which facilitated a return to pre-pandemic norms, allowing the country to retain its top position in our rankings and increasing its lead over other locations in terms of liveability.
“Furthermore, the gap in liveability between Singapore and locations such as Hong Kong and Shanghai, both of which maintained or even enhanced Covid-19 related restrictions in 2022, widened during the year, making it an even more compelling destination versus other locations in the region competing for international talent,” Quane said.
Cities in Australia saw also major improvements in their liveability scores, while Auckland, New Zealand, was the biggest riser, climbing up 20 places to become the 4th most liveable location in the world for East Asian expatriates.
Hong Kong’s liveability ranking fell 15 places to 92nd this past year, largely due to the impact of Covid-19 restrictions in 2022 and changes in its political environment.
“Likewise, cities in mainland China have all fallen in our rankings due exclusively to the impact of China’s zero-Covid strategy that was maintained throughout most of 2022,” he said.
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