Revealed: the average expat salary in Dubai

HSBC Expat Explorer survey says emirate has growing reputation for job prospects and great social life

Dubai, the business hub of the Middle East, is one of the best places in the world for both job prospects and a great social life, according to the latest HSBC Expat Explorer survey.

The world’s largest study of expat life named Dubai as one of the best destinations for expats looking to boost their career.

However, now the bustling city is also recognized for its active social life, ahead of London or Los Angeles.

HSBC Expat Explorer survey showed that the average salary for expats in the city is $138,177 per annum, with 72 percent of expats saying that they have more disposable income than they did back home. Mumbai took the top spot for expat salaries – the average expat there earning $217,165.

Marwan Hadi, head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, HSBC, UAE, said: “It is not at all surprising to see that Dubai, and the UAE, continue to be the destination of choice for job prospects. Dubai has the second highest expat employment levels in the world, with 92 percent of expats in employment, according to the survey.

"Of those, 83 percent are currently in full-time employment. This is a clear testament of the great progress the Government has made in creating a diversified economic model, which has resulted in the formation of an internationally recognized and sought-after working environment with world-class infrastructure and services.”

Hadi added: “Expats have also said that other key reasons for selecting Dubai as their home away from home, is because they enjoy the city’s social life, its fantastic food scene, the cleanliness, safety, and the excellent leisure facilities it offers..”

Over one-third, (36%) of expats in Dubai said they enjoy a busier and better social life since their move.

Expats in Dubai rank the social life higher than those in London, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Paris.

One-third (32 percent) of expats in Dubai praised the great leisure facilities the city is home to, making it the fifth best city in the world for leisure facilities closely behind Sydney, Vancouver, San Francisco and Auckland.

According to the survey, Dubai's culinary scene is also proving a hit with expats with 44 percent praising Dubai’s restaurants and food, ahead of the likes of Hong Kong and Barcelona.

76 percent of expats in Dubai said they feel safer and more secure than in their home country, while 68 percent said they would recommend it for its clean and safe spaces.