Mark Harrison, Manager of Remuneration Services at ECA International, said: "The total cost of expatriate packages in the UK, in US dollars, has fallen by nine per cent in the past year. This is mainly due to a weakened pound against the US dollar making the UK comparatively cheaper. But typical middle manager expatriate salaries also fell in local currency, down £1,500 in the past year. Depending on how a package is put together, the cost of providing benefits can be considerable, even dwarfing the cash salary element. This is the case for the UK as well as Hong Kong and the United States. However, while the tax component of the package is small in Hong Kong, it has a huge impact on overall costs when relocating someone to the UK.”

1. United Kingdom – $390,189
2. Japan – $328,793
3. China – $290,254
4. Hong Kong – $267,003
5. Turkey – $266,298
6. Australia – $264,963
7. Argentina – $255,648
8. France – $255,288
9. United States of America – $252,903
10. Switzerland – $246,971

"When choosing an expatriate pay approach, it is essential for companies to be clear about the reasons behind the assignment so that their choice reinforces this," Harrison explained. "This will also help them to decide whether they wish to create equity among home or host country peers, something that has become even more complex as companies manage increasingly diverse nationalities in and out of different markets. And of course all this needs to balance against benefits and costs to the business," he added.

With Allianz Care , employers can avail of a broad range of cover, including health, life and disability, with the convenience of a single point of contact. Our Standard International Healthcare Plans cover in-patient and day-care treatments as well as other benefits. Standard plans can be supplemented by a choice of Out-patient, Dental and Repatriation Plans.

Large corporate clients can also opt for tailored plans, based on their needs and preferences. Click here to obtain a quote.