UAE and Qatar best for career-oriented women

Dubai - About 10,000 expat women from 25 countries ranked the UAE and Qatar best countries for career-orientated females, a latest survey by HSBC says.

The UAE and Qatar ranked best countries by expatriates for career-oriented women for numerous reasons, according to recent survey findings.
As the world celebrated International Women's Day last week, newly released data from the 2015 HSBC Expat Explorer survey reveals that Qatar and the UAE rank as two of the best countries for work-orientated women.
Nearly 10,000 expat women from 25 countries participated in the survey, with those in the UAE (58 per cent) and Qatar (56 per cent) being the highest globally to highlight that financial incentives such as income, savings and careers as the most important reasons for moving abroad from their home countries.
Middle Eastern countries top the rankings according to expats' in terms of the financial rewards they offer. The survey shows that career-orientated women thrive in Qatar, which was chosen as the best country for both, increased earnings (57 per cent) and a greater ability to save money (73 per cent). The UAE is also recognised under these categories as four out of 10 women (40 per cent) said that they earn more here than in their home country, above the global average of 31 per cent. Around 54 per cent highlight that they are able to put aside more money here. The financial benefits of living in the region are also apparent as expat women rank Qatar (88 per cent) and the UAE (87 per cent) as the best globally for the benefits they are provided by their employers.
Asian countries rank the highest in terms of career development prospects for women. Nearly two thirds (63 per cent) of female expats say Hong Kong is a good place for expats to progress their career, followed closely by China (59 per cent) and Singapore (56 per cent). Almost half (49 per cent) of expat women in the UAE associate with this view, far above the global average of 38 per cent.
"It is extremely encouraging to see the UAE highlighted by women as a top destination for the financial incentives and career opportunities it offers, further showing why the country remains one of the most popular destinations globally," Gifford Nakajima, head of Wealth Development, UAE and Mena, Retail Banking and Wealth Management, HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, said in a statement.
Nakajima added: "The annual Expat Explorer survey provides us with these unique insights and it also serves as a comprehensive resource for all current and prospective expats looking to leave their home countries. Not only can expats find out how the country they live in performs compared to other destinations, but they can also share the real life experiences of their peers."
- abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com