Amsterdam has droped on a list of most expensive cities for expatriates. Mercer’s 2011 Cost of Living survey put the Netherlands’ capital at 50th place. In 2010, Amsterdam was ranked 35th and, in 2008, 25th.

Mercer’s survey looks at 214 cities, comparing basic cost of living necessities like housing, food, clothing and transport. New York is used as the base city for comparison, with currency movements measured against the US dollar.

Most expensive cities
This year's top three most expensive expat cities are the same as last year's. Angolan capital Luanda takes first place, followed by Tokyo, Japan, and N’Djamena, Chad.

Moscow was the most expensive European city, ranking fourth overall for the second year in a row. Geneva followed in fifth place, with fellow Swiss city Zurich rising one place to seventh.

Brazilian cities unaffordable
Brazil’s cities are fast becoming the most unaffordable in the world. São Paulo jumped from 21st to 10th place, while Rio de Janeiro rose 17 places to joint 12th. Brasilia jumped 37 places to rank 33rd this year. Mercer attributed the rise of Brazilian cities in the rankings to the “significant” strengthening of the country's currency against the dollar.

(jn/kh)

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