Some people live far from home.
They live in a new land. They might go there to work. They might go there to learn. It is a big change. Do you want to live far away?
Some people live far from home.
They live in a new land. We call these people expats.
Many people move for work. Some go to new lands to help a company. Others move for a better life.
Moving can be hard. A person's family might miss their old home. It can also be hard to learn new ways.
Some people move for a long time. Others might move for just a few months.
It is a big change to live in a new place.
An expatriate, or "expat," is a person who lives outside their home country.
Some expats are workers or students. Others are artists or retirees. In the past, the word also meant an exile. An exile is someone forced to leave their home.
People move for many reasons. Some are "pulled" to a new place. They might want better jobs or a nice climate. Others are "pushed" away from home. This can happen because of hard times in their own land.
Many companies send workers to other countries. These are called business expats. This helps a company work in new places. But moving a family can be hard. Spouses may find it difficult to adjust. They might miss their old friends or jobs.
Living abroad can be expensive. Companies often pay extra for housing or health care.
Some people now choose to move on their own. They find their own jobs in new lands. This is called self-initiated expatriation.
An expatriate, or "expat," is a person who lives outside their native country.
Many people use this word for skilled workers or students from wealthy nations. It can also describe retirees or artists who choose a new home. The United Nations uses a different definition for the term. They say it is someone who voluntarily gives up their nationality. In the past, the word was used to describe people called exiles. An exile is someone who is forced to leave their home. This shows how the meaning of words can change over time.
There are many ways to describe people who move. A migrant moves to find work or better living conditions. An immigrant is someone who comes to live in a new country permanently. These words are different from "expat" in small but important ways. Some people say these terms imply things about wealth or race. This has led to some disagreements and controversy. In Canada, people might use the term "interprovincial expat" for temporary moves. This happens when someone lives in a different province but keeps their home residency. It is a way to show they are not moving forever.
History shows us many groups of people living abroad. In the 1800s, steamships and trains made travel much easier. This allowed people to live in foreign lands for many years. For example, the British Raj involved many people in India from 1721 to 1949. In the 1920s, the "Lost Generation" lived in Paris, France. There were also famous artists and celebrities in Switzerland near Lake Geneva. During the 1930s, many families were forced to leave Germany. Leaders like Albert Einstein became exiles during this difficult time. These stories show how different people move for many reasons.
Moving to a new country involves many specific details. The United Arab Emirates has a very high number of expats. They make up 88% of the people living there. In 2017, one company estimated there were 66.2 million expats globally. The United Nations found that millions of people live outside their home lands. Business expats are often sent by large companies to work abroad. These workers help companies manage offices in other countries. However, these employees can cost three times more than local workers. Companies may also pay for housing, health care, or school fees.
Living as an expat can be a hard job for families. Moving can cause "culture shock" for a person or their spouse. Many spouses find it difficult to leave their own jobs or friends. In fact, a survey showed 88% of spouses resist a move. If an employee must return home early, it is called "expatriate failure." This can cost a company about US$225,000 on average.
Today, more people are "self-initiated" expats. This means they find their own jobs instead of being sent. They choose their own path to a new life.
An expatriate, often called an "expat," is a person who lives outside their native country.
While the term is broad, it often describes specific groups of people. This includes skilled professionals, students from affluent nations, retirees, or artists. The United Nations International Organization for Migration defines an expatriate as someone who voluntarily renounces their nationality. Historically, the word also applied to exiles, who were people forced to leave their homes. Today, the term carries many layers of meaning regarding wealth, nationality, and the intent to stay.
It is important to distinguish "expatriate" from other terms like "migrant" or "immigrant." A migrant is a person who moves to find work or better living conditions. An immigrant is someone who moves to a foreign country to live there permanently. Some people argue that using "expat" for certain groups implies social or racial nuances. In Canada, a specific term called "interprovincial expat" describes people living in a different province temporarily. These individuals maintain their original residency while they are away. These distinctions help clarify why and how people move.
History shows how technology has changed the way people live abroad. In the 19th century, the invention of steamships and trains made long-distance travel easier. This allowed people to live in foreign lands for several years or be sent by employers. For example, the British Raj saw many people from the United Kingdom living in India between 1721 and 1949. In the 1920s and 1930s, the "Lost Generation" of Americans lived in Paris, France. During the 1930s, many families were forced into exile from Nazi Germany. Famous figures like Albert Einstein were among those who had to leave.
Business expatriates are a major part of this global movement. Multinational corporations often send employees to work in foreign branch offices or subsidiaries. These employees help a parent company maintain control and improve global coordination. A 2007 study found that these workers are often motivated by high levels of autonomy. They may also seek out the challenges of a new international environment. However, these professionals are often much more expensive than local employees. Companies frequently pay for housing, health care, and international school fees to support them.
Managing an international career involves complex financial and personal logistics.
One major challenge is managing taxes and finances in different countries. Additionally, the move can be difficult for the employee's family. Spouses often face "culture shock" or the loss of their own social networks. A 2012 survey found that 88 percent of spouses resist a proposed move. This resistance often stems from concerns about family or the spouse's own career. If an assignment ends prematurely, it is known as "expatriate failure."
Expatriate failure can be very costly for the companies involved. About 7 percent of expatriates return to their home country early. A survey of 57 multinational companies found that this costs an average of US$225,000 per instance. To prevent this, some companies now offer coaching and cross-cultural training. They may also involve spouses earlier in the decision-making process. This helps families integrate more effectively into the new host culture. Successful adjustment often depends on how well the family manages these changes.
Global numbers for expatriates are large but difficult to track exactly. Because there is no global census, different organizations provide different estimates. In 2017, the company Finaccord estimated there were 66.2 million expatriates. In 2013, the United Nations estimated that 232 million people lived outside their home country. By 2019, the UN estimated that international migrants reached 272 million people. This represents about 3.5 percent of the total world population. The United Arab Emirates has one of the highest concentrations, with expats making up 88 percent of its population.
Modern trends show that the nature of expatriation is shifting. In the past, most international assignments were long-term, lasting more than one year. By 2014, the number of long-term assignments fell to just over half of all assignments. Short-term assignments of a few months are becoming much more common. There is also a rise in "self-initiated expatriation." This is when individuals arrange their own international contracts rather than being sent by a company. These people choose their own path to living in a new land.
Where will your curiosity go next?
🖼️ Images & Media (2)
More to explore
✨ What else?
Related topics you might enjoy
What is Nepedia?
A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.