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[RANKED] The Best City for Millenials is...

[RANKED] The Best City for Millenials is...

Singapore is the most millennial-friendly city in the Asia-Pacific, with Hong Kong ranking as the third-best place for young people to move to, according to a new study.

Research firm ValueChampion analysed a variety of public data and ranked 20 Asia-Pacific cities that were the best fit for millennials based on employment prospects, cost of living and quality of life.

After Singapore came Tokyo, Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Melbourne respectively.

Singapore is the best place for millennials to move to, according to a new study. Image: Reuters
Singapore is the best place for millennials to move to, according to a new study. Image: Reuters

“Singapore is the best city for millennials seeking to build a career and enjoy a great quality of life. Our analysis indicates that Singapore’s thriving economy provides strong job opportunities for young people,” the firm’s senior research analyst William Hofmann said in the report.

The city state had the lowest gender wage gap and the second-lowest unemployment rate among the 20 cities – 2.2 per cent overall and 3.96 per cent for youth – which meant it may be easier to find well-paying jobs, the study said.

Other factors that made Singapore stand out were its diversity of languages and its reputation as a global finance hub and an ideal location for start-ups.

Image: South China Morning Post
Image: South China Morning Post

 

Hong Kong scored well due to its strong economy and low unemployment rate – 2.8 per cent overall and 8.12 per cent for youth.

Researchers at the Singapore-based firm also highlighted Hong Kong’s “very good” health indicators, including a long life expectancy of 84.2 years.

However, the city had lower individual rankings for its cost of living (ninth) and quality of life (sixth). It estimated that residents spend about 31 per cent of their salary on rent, which may deter young people.

Guangzhou, in China’s Guangdong province, made it into the top five primarily because it was one of the most affordable cities.

Hong Kong scored well in the company's analysis because of its strong economy an low unemployment. Image: Fung Chang/South China Morning Post
Hong Kong scored well in the company's analysis because of its strong economy an low unemployment. Image: Fung Chang/South China Morning Post

 

The study focused on analysing the cost of housing and using the average price of a pint of beer as a proxy for entertainment costs, to determine cost of living.

“We found that Guangzhou was a particularly affordable city based on the relatively high GDP per capita in China and very low rent and beer prices,” Hofmann said.

Hong Kong had the most expensive beer, with an average pint at S$12.19.

The study’s methodology was based on data from sources such as the World Bank, Deutsche Bank and the World Health Organisation. Some of the key factors the analysis considered were GDP growth rates, GDP per capita, unemployment rates and average monthly rent for a 39-square-metre living space.

Guangzhou's relative affordability helped it into the top five. Image: Alamy
Guangzhou's relative affordability helped it into the top five. Image: Alamy

 

It defined as a millennial anyone born between 1981 and 1996 – people aged 23 to 38 in 2019 – the definition used at the Pew Research Centre.

Mr Hofmann conceded that the analysis had its limitations and was simplified to broadly illustrate affordability, livability and job markets.

Many young people are choosing to relocate and seek better career opportunities abroad.

 


Source : South China Morning Post | TODAY Online

Indah Gilang Pusparani

Indah is a researcher at Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Daerah Kota Cirebon (Regional Development Planning and Research Agency of Cirebon Municipality). She covers More international relations, tourism, and startups in Southeast Asia region and beyond. Indah graduated from MSc Development Administration and Planning from University College London, United Kingdom in 2015. She finished bachelor degree from International Relations from University of Indonesia in 2014, with two exchange programs in Political Science at National University of Singapore and New Media in Journalism at Ball State University, USA. She was awarded Diplomacy Award at Harvard World Model United Nations and named as Indonesian Gifted Researcher by Australian National University. She is Researcher at Regional Planning Board in Cirebon, West Java. She previously worked as Editor in Bening Communication, the Commonwealth Parliament Association UK, and diplomacy consulting firm Best Delegate LLC in USA. Less
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