Expats leaving China as economic growth stalls

Rising living costs and foul pollution in China are starting to translate into falling numbers of expatriates choosing to live there, despite the enduring appeal of the market, a new survey by UniGroup Relocation has shown.

According to UniGroup’s latest survey, twice as many people moved out of China last year than moved in. While much of this is down to contracts expiring, the strength of the yuan and rising labour costs, a need to establish a presence in the home office and the pollution are factors.

Chinese economic growth is at its lowest level since 2009, and this is affecting revenues among multinational companies in China.

Both the EU and US chambers of commerce have complained in recent weeks about rising anti-foreign sentiment and more difficult operating conditions as the economy slows.

The biggest number of expats in China come from the US, but the number moving from there to China fell 22 per cent last year, compared to 2013.

Those leaving China are heading to the US, followed by Germany, Singapore and France, while Hong Kong and Malaysia were sixth and 10th.

Meanwhile, twice as many people moved to Japan as left last year, and movements in and out of Singapore and Malaysia stayed the same compared to the year before.