SINGAPORE - Expatriates in Singapore rank second in the world for income, with half earning over US$200,000 ($254,973) a year, a recent survey found.

The 2011 Expat Explorer Survey by HSBC also revealed that expat wealth remained widely immune to global economic troubles.

Expats in Singapore ranked top in Asia and third in the world for expat wealth and finances in areas such as earning levels, disposable income, spending, saving, investing patterns and the impact of the current global financial climate.

As such, it is no surprise that the survey results concluded that Singapore is regarded as the ideal expat destination - able to offer the best balance of career prospects, economic returns, quality of life and raising of children.

However, the survey also found that expats in Singapore faced higher cost of living such as accommodation, food and bringing up of children.

The survey sought the opinions of nearly 3,400 expats from over 100 countries across the globe on their experiences working and living overseas.

This year, for its 5th annual survey, HSBC is calling for expats to take part in its latest survey.

This year's survey will be focusing on emerging issues on how expats have fared after the global economic turmoil and social unrest faced in some countries, as well as tips and tricks on how to best live in a foreign country.

yamadak@sph.com.sg