It’s not just more fun in the Philippines, it’s also more romantic. At least, that’s what a recent survey among expats says.
The Philippines is the number one location for expatriates to find their “significant other,” a recent survey by the InterNations showed.
InterNations is described as “an online community for all people living and working abroad.”
Countries promising true love
The Expat Insider survey, which had 13,851 respondents representing 165 nationalities and 169 countries of residence, showed that 66% of expats in the Philippines are in a relationship with a local resident.
The survey was conducted online from June 10 to June 30, 2014.
The 66% rating puts the Philippines on the top spot in the “in love with the locals” index, placing the country among the go-to places for expat romance.
The 66% rating puts the Philippines on the top spot in the “in love with the locals” index, placing the country among the go-to places for expat romance.
The Philippines is followed by Colombia (60%), Argentina (55%), Brazil (54%), Mexico (54%), Chile (54%), Israel (53%), Greece (53%), Poland (51%), Ecuador (51%), and Russia (51%).
The ratings of these countries lie far above the global average of 31%, the survey noted.
It added that in these countries, the numbers of expats involved in a long-distance relationship are below the global average of 15%.
Relationship satisfaction in PH
Aside from finding love in the Philippines, a majority or 56% of non-single expats here also feel “completely satisfied with their relationship.”
The Philippines is followed by Greece at 53%. The global average is 43%.
According to the InterNations, many factors influence the success or downfall of a relationship.
“After all, a move abroad can take quite a toll on a relationship as one or both partners experience frustration and alienation, as well as other symptoms of culture shock,” it said.
Therefore, the ease of settling in in their new country of residence plays a big role in their satisfaction with their relationship with their significant other.
Findings of the survey showed that the Philippines is among the top spots in the “ease of settling in” index, which means the Philippines have positive results for expats’ finding friends here, learning the local language, and feeling welcome.
“The Philippines comes in fifth in terms of ease of settling in. Not only is it a very friendly destination (53%), it also ranks very well for ease of language,” the InterNations said.
Moving patterns
Meanwhile, the InterNations also noted in its report that a majority or 64% of the survey participants are in a relationship, and 70% of those over the age of 50 are also in a relationship.
“Relationships in general and romance in particular are often important factors that influence expatriate living,” it said.
A long-distance relationship might, for instance, be a strong motivation for a move abroad, and one partner’s decision to relocate can uproot a couple’s life,” it added.
It said 71% of the expats who participated in the survey said they met their partner before moving to their current country of residence.
Almost half of these couples moved to their country of residence together, while 17% indicate that their partner already lived there.
A further 24%, meanwhile, either followed their partner or had their partner follow them abroad, it said. Men are more likely to move abroad first, leaving their partner to “trail along” or join them later, the survey results showed.
Source: Kathlyn dela Cruz | ABS-CBNnews.com
