Mangkhut Took Shine Off HK For Expats: Study

Hong Kong has dropped 12 places to 41st in a global survey of the most liveable places for East Asian expatriates.

ECA International, which compiles the annual ranking, said a significant reason behind Hong Kong's fall was the considerable disruption and damage caused last year by Severe Typhoon Mangkhut.

Hong Kong's slide down the annual liveability rankings was equalled in Asia by Colombo, where there has been considerable political instability, and was second globally only to the Nicaraguan capital Managua, which has experienced mass civil unrest.

The location ratings survey for East Asian expats takes into account factors such as personal security and socio-political tensions, language and culture.

For the 17th year in a row, Singapore was ranked the most liveable city for East Asian expats. Rounding out the top 10, were four Australian cities, four Japanese cities, Wellington in New Zealand and Copenhagen in Denmark.

Now down at 41st out of more than 480 places ranked, Hong Kong is still the most liveable city in Greater China, ahead of Taipei in 68th, Macau in 104th, and Shanghai in 114th.

Lee Quane, ECA International's regional director for Asia, said Severe Typhoon Mangkhut really hurt Hong Kong's overall position.

"It did have a significant impact on people's ability to live and work. So obviously you can't go to the shops for a day or two because they are all closed. You saw the queues for public transport the day after when people tried to get back to work and so on. That does have an disruptive impact on people's lifestyles that you are not going to get somewhere like Singapore for example," he said.

Quane said Hong Kong could rise up the rankings again as long as there is not another abnormally powerful storm like Mangkhut this year.

The result illustrated a continuing downward trend for Hong Kong since it ranked 11th in 2013. Quane said air quality is where Hong Kong clearly lags behind other cities.

To improve Hong Kong's ranking, he said the government could improve its disaster recovery mechanisms, so the disruption caused by Mankhut won't be seen again, or do more to improve air quality through tackling local pollution sources and introducing things like congestion charging.