Manama now more affordable for foreign workers: Mercer report

Manama now more affordable for foreign workers: Mercer report

Bahrain's capital city Manama has become much more affordable for international employees to live in despite the economic repercussions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, says the latest Mercer Cost of living City report. In 2020, Manama was 52nd compared to the cost of living of 206 cities around the globe. Come 2021, and things had changed a lot. The city is now ranked 71st on the same index, or 19 points below the previous ranking. "Cost of living has always been a factor for international mobility planning, but the pandemic has added a whole new layer of complexity, as well as long-term implications related to health and safety of employees, remote working and flexibility policies, among other considerations," said Ilya Bonic, Career President and Head of Mercer Strategy. "As organisations rethink their talent and mobility strategies, accurate and transparent data is essential to compensate employees fairly for all types of assignments." On top of the list is the notoriously expensive Ashgabat of Turkmenistan, and closely following is Hong Kong at the number 2 spot. At the lowest end of the ranking is Bishkek of Kyrgyzstan. cheaper The list also covers several cities in the Gulf Cooperation Council nations. Riyadh, which