Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, has been recognized as the world’s cheapest city for expatriates looking to relocate for work, according to the latest Mercer Cost of Living Survey. This year’s rankings have been influenced by factors such as inflation fluctuations and exchange rate variations, which directly impact the salaries and savings of expatriates. Additionally, increased economic and geopolitical instability, as well as local conflicts and emergencies, have led to extra costs in areas such as housing, utilities, local taxes, and education.
In cities like Islamabad, Lagos, and Abuja, the lower cost of living for international employees has been partly due to the depreciation of local currencies.
Top 10 Cheapest Cities for Expats
- Abuja, Nigeria (Down 86)
- Lagos, Nigeria (Down 178)
- Islamabad, Pakistan (Up 3)
- Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (Up 1)
- Karachi, Pakistan (Up 4)
- Blantyre, Malawi (Down 23)
- Dushanbe, Tajikistan (Up 3)
- Durban, South Africa (Up 1)
- Windhoek, Namibia (Up 4)
- Havana, Cuba (Up 8)
As previously reported, experts have also named the 10 most expensive European cities to move to in 2024.
