Home > ¸¶ÀÌÆäÀÌÁö > ¿µÀڽŹ®

- ³¯Â¥º° ½Å¹® È®ÀÎ

easy ¿µÀڽŹ®
difficult ¿µÀڽŹ®


 
Topic : Seoul outranks Tokyo and London as the 16th most expensive city in the world
2024È£ 3¸é
 
TITLE : Seoul outranks Tokyo and London as the 16th most expensive city in the world

Seoul outranks Tokyo and London as the 16th most expensive city in the world
 



Seoul becomes world's ninth most expensive city to live for foreign people:  study | Aju Korea Daily English

 

 


Seoul was the 16th most expensive city for international employees last year, according to a report by global consulting firm Mercer. Regarding overall quality of life, Seoul ranked 81st out of 241 cities.

 

Hong Kong topped the list as the most expensive city, followed by Singapore. “Two of the most expensive cities for international assignees to live in were located in Asia,” Mercer said. Four cities in the top ten ranking were in Switzerland. New York ranked sixth, followed by Copenhagen in ninth place. Lost Angeles (11th), Shanghai (12th) and Beijing (13th) followed suit.

 

At 16th place, Seoul is now one of the most expensive cities, considering that cities ranked higher on the list, such as Hongkong, Singapore, New York, and Copenhagen, have always been notorious for high living costs. Seoul surpasses Tokyo (19th), London (17th), Dubai (18th), Boston (21st), Chicago (24th), Vienna (25th), Helsinki (34th), and Paris (35th) in terms of living expenses.

 

The significant increase in Seoul’s cost of living can be partly attributed to price hikes in daily essentials such as butter, one of the most common purchases among expatriates. Butter prices in Seoul surged 26% last year, higher than the global average price rise of 23.8%. This specific example underscores the broader trend of rising living costs in the city.

 

Mercer also released a quality of life index that assesses cities based on the living conditions for expatriate employees and their families stationed abroad. Seoul ranked 81st out of 241 cities. Mercer explains that the ranking considers various factors, including the cost of consumer goods, economic conditions, housing stability, access to healthcare, the political and social climate, public services and transportation, recreation, social and cultural amenities, and the natural environment.

 

“Cost is not the only factor that influences how attractive a location is to employees and corporations: an equally important factor is the overall quality of life that a city offers,” Mercer stated.

 


Source : https://www.chosun.com/english/travel-food-en/2024/03/19/7CGTUBT2LNBEHBGQNKIQ42M3WM/

 

Comprehension

Where did Seoul rank in terms of cost for international employees last year?
Which city topped the list as the most expensive city for international assignees?
How many cities were ranked higher than Seoul in terms of overall quality of life?
What contributed to the significant increase in Seoul's cost of living?
What specific item experienced a price surge in Seoul, impacting expatriates?
How does Mercer assess cities in their quality of life index?
What factors does Mercer consider when ranking cities in terms of quality of life?
According to Mercer, what is an equally important factor besides cost when evaluating a city's attractiveness to employees and corporations?

Discussion

How do high living costs in cities like Seoul impact expatriates and their families?
In what ways can cities improve their overall quality of life for both residents and expatriates?
Have you ever experienced a significant increase in living expenses in your city? How did it affect you?
What are some strategies individuals can use to cope with rising living costs in urban areas?
How important do you think access to healthcare and public services is for expatriates living abroad?
Do you believe that the cost of consumer goods directly affects the overall quality of life in a city? Why or why not?
What role do you think government policies play in managing living costs and improving quality of life in cities?
How do cultural amenities and recreational opportunities contribute to the overall appeal of a city for expatriates and residents alike?

Vocabulary

Expatriates - people living outside their native country
Assignees - individuals assigned to work or live in a different location
Notorious - well-known for something negative
Surged - increased suddenly and strongly
Expatiate - talk or write at length about a subject
Assess - evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of something
Amenities - features that provide comfort, convenience, or pleasure
Attractiveness - the quality of being appealing or inviting