Arab cities rank among top 10 friendliest in the world for expats
The Ease of Settling In Index 2024 by InterNations, which describes itself as 'the largest global expat network' with 5.6 million members, includes 53 cities and comprises three subcategories: culture and welcome, local friendliness and finding friends.
Ras Al-Khaimah ranked fifth overall while Muscat ranked 10th, closely followed by the Emirati city of Dubai (11th), the Saudi capital Riyadh (12th), the UAE capital Abu Dhabi (14th) and Qatar's capital Doha (15th).
Ras Al-Khaimah and Muscat 'perform well across the index but stand out especially for how easy expats find it to get used to the local culture … as well as for the general friendliness of the population,' according to the index.
InterNations described Riyadh as one of 'the biggest winners in 2024,' jumping 10 places from the 2023 rankings and improving 'across all factors of the index.'
Riyadh's biggest gains were in the culture and welcome subcategory, rising from 30th in 2023 to 14th last year.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Argaam
25 minutes ago
- Argaam
POS weekly transactions hit SAR 13.47B: SAMA
Point-of-sale (POS) transactions in Saudi Arabia reached nearly SAR 13.47 billion in the week ended Aug. 16, compared to roughly SAR 13.68 billion in the previous week. The number of POS transactions reached about 244.78 million last week, compared to nearly 228.52 million in the previous week, according to data issued by SAMA. POS transactions represent consumer expenditures through debit and credit cards at major shopping centers, retail outlets, pharmacies, and others. The data indicated that POS sales increase in the weeks that coincide with the disbursement of salaries to government employees (the 27th of each month), in addition to the weeks that coincide with school vacations and the weeks preceding Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha. On the other hand, the value of sales decreases in the weeks that precede the disbursement of salaries and the weeks that coincide with the back-to-school season. Using the four-week moving average, the value of POS transactions rose in 2024, compared to both 2022 and 2023. In 2024, the average sales value ranged between SAR 11 billion and SAR 14 billion, up from SAR 10 billion to SAR 13 billion in 2023 and SAR 9 billion to SAR 12 billion in 2022. Consumer spending was concentrated in the food and beverage (F&B) sector, totaling SAR 1.88 billion, or 13.9% of this week's total. The restaurants and cafes sector followed closely with SAR 1.69 billion (12.5% of total). Riyadh led by region in terms of POS transaction value for the week ended Aug. 16, reaching approximately SAR 4.59 billion, or 34.1% of the total. Jeddah followed with SAR 1.82 billion (13.5%). According to SAMA's latest data, e-payments in the retail sector (individuals) reached 79% of the total transactions carried out by individuals in the Kingdom during 2024. This achieved the target entailed under the state's Financial Sector Development Program — a Vision 2030 program, which aimed to reach an e-payment ratio of 70% by 2025. Over the past few years, Saudi Arabia has witnessed remarkable progress and rapid growth in adopting e-payment methods. This was a result of the many strategic efforts and initiatives launched by SAMA in cooperation with the financial sector to support the growth of the payments sector and stimulate the use of various e-payment options in the Kingdom.
Argaam
4 hours ago
- Argaam
Jahez board to allocate 7.63M shares to employee stock plan
Jahez International Co. for Information System Technology (Jahez) said its board of directors recommended allocating repurchased shares to be held as treasury stock for the company's employee stock program. The move will have no financial impact, the company said in a statement to Tadawul. In May, Jahez's board recommended repurchasing up to 7.63 million treasury shares, equivalent to 3.64% of its total shares. The company said the shares may also be used in swap transactions for stake or asset acquisitions, for its employee stock program, or for sale, in line with Capital Market Authority (CMA) regulations and other applicable laws.
Leaders
16 hours ago
- Leaders
Horse Stables on Jeddah's Beaches: Destination for Sport, Leisure
On the shores of Obhur and Dhahban in Jeddah Governorate, equestrian sports and horseback riding are becoming a favorite attraction for tourists and picnic lovers. Visitors are drawn to the area's captivating coastal scenery while enjoying unique horseback riding experiences under strict safety standards and the guidance of professional trainers. These stables offer more than just riding; they create a vibrant blend of sport, equestrian tradition, and entertainment. Throughout the year, the stables host seasonal horse shows that captivate audiences with skill demonstrations, show jumping competitions, and interactive workshops. These events highlight equestrianism as an authentic Arab sport, celebrated for its cultural heritage, refinement, and excellence. The equestrian venues are further enhanced by open green spaces, seaside seating areas, and a variety of restaurants and cafés serving both local and international cuisine. Together, they showcase Jeddah's unique role as a hub of diverse tourism and leisure, offering visitors the perfect place to unwind after their activities while reflecting the governorate's rich and dynamic tourism offerings. Related Topics : Sports Boulevard: First Phase Inaugurated with 5 Destinations Al-Badeea Celebrates Founding Day with Rabab & dancing of Horses Saudi Photographer Secures 2nd Place in Mansoor Al Nahyan Award for Arabian Horses Saudi Arabia announces the 5th international show of Purebred Arabian horses in December Short link : Post Views: 6 Related Stories
