One in three expats poised to return home

Sunday, 5 April 2009 5:37 PM

Almost one third of expatriates responding to an online poll have said they feel they have no choice but to return home as a result of the current economic crisis. The survey by recruitment website Bayt.com of more than 22,000 expatriates working across the Middle East shows that 28 percent are looking to leave due to the impact the crisis has had on overseas workers.

A further 15 percent said they would simply prefer to make the move back home, with 22 percent of the total stating that they would consider moving in the next three months.

However, 36 percent, said that they would remain in the country they currently work in, despite the current economic crisis - and an additional 21 percent said they would consider working as an expatriate in another country.

"This period of instability is not only causing tremors amongst professionals, but it is also of serious concern to employers - especially if staff members are intending to leave the country,” warned Amer Zureikat, the company’s regional manager.

The poll also aimed to gauge how the economic turmoil was affecting expatriates in terms of finance.

Results show that 69 percent of responders were saving “more” money, of which 37 percent said they were saving “considerably” more - most likely as a reaction to safeguard their or their family's finances, the poll-organisers said.

Over a quarter, 26 percent, said that they would reduce their daily spending habits.

But only four percent said they would move to a lower cost home, three percent would sell their car, and just one percent would sell their investments.

“This suggests that while people are concerned about the current crisis, they are willing to make small financial adjustments, but are reluctant to make changes to their larger investments," Zureikat added.

Data for the poll was collected online between Feb. 8 this year to Mar.30, attracting a total of 22,708 respondents from across the Middle East.

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Posted by: aay Saturday, 11 April 2009 8:22 PM[UAE]

Have you seen the serpentine line of Job seekers in US/EU. Compare the Industrial /Service/Job/Bank/economic data and you'll see that you are perhaps better off. try reading World bank report of last week about Gulf countries and the recovery from economic downturn. It would be amongst fastest. If expats think they were better off in the home country - Please correct your mistake and leave. It is career choice , if China is growing faster - Go to China. Why waste time and sulk. WHY WAITING ....I'LL LEAVE in three months....six months ....one year...Do you still have confidence in this country? or it is difficult to leave the charms and ease of this country...!!!

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Posted by: ajoy Monday, 6 April 2009 5:49 PM[UAE] - india

govt to take urgent action to regulate the property rules and visa at the first instance. They should stop announcement for allowing only european to stay in this country. they would not come unless they are given very high salary, high human rights and others. to give a boost to economy one cant afford to be aloof nowadays. Gone are the days. one shold not behave in parochial manner. It is now all united worl and one has to embrace other if one want to compete with modern pace. I however understand that these are not hidden wit govt but surely there is some hidden fears among them to bring out a clear cut policy about the visa and property law. However, if they donot come, i donot see any property to be filled in in its capacity in the nea future.

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Posted by: bob Monday, 6 April 2009 4:19 PM[UAE] - Kuwait

Sure, lotsa people everywhere do at least a little venting relative to the grass-is-always-greener thought and as a friend here in Kuwait said, there definitely are expats who have stayed too long, wherever they might be. What makes this article/conversation different is the people saying they feel they have no choice but to leave. This isn't people being homesick. Too, the equation has changed over the years; rents have climbed a lot, other things have become appreciably more expensive and a lot of salaries haven't kept pace. No doubt it's a ticket on the express train to unhappiness if money is the sole reason or close to it for being an expat (or otherwise), but it does enter into the decision(s) for purt' near everyone. Fair enough that some people would take considerably less than they would prefer for a job in the ME, rather than go home--leave everything they've established and face dark economic times--but plenty of folks have good nest eggs and in some career fields, the job markets in all our home countries are a lot better than others.

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Posted by: A H Monday, 6 April 2009 2:58 PM[UAE]

Isn't it funny that while AB headlined the article with special emphasis on expats "Leaving", Gulf News headlined the same article as expats preferring to "Stay" ? It just goes to show that there is no facts, just opinions and sentiments. These surveys don't help anyone. Just wait for the day to arrive !!

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Posted by: Kaptain Monday, 6 April 2009 1:36 PM[UAE] - United Arab Emirates

Giridhar, it's good to see hope is around but how much is it supported with facts? Assumptions look good, but in Kindergarten where children are promised chocolates which they get but still, professionals can't be tamed for Dubai with chocolates. Or could they be? Good Ol' days would not be same again, it would be difficult to maintain this infrastructure with less people to spend on. Eventually, corporates would leverage off by buying these estates then different Governments of the world would be asked again to bail these out, yet another time injecting much needed cash but this short term but once investment, losing all what was put up so lavishly.

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