Hong Kong Most Popular City With UK Expat Professionals

Hong Kong has beaten Dubai and New York to been named the top overseas relocation destination for young British professionals, according to the deVere Group.

The international financial consultancy, which questioned more than 360 people, found that more than a quarter (26%) of its UK-based clients under 35 claimed that China's Special Administrative Region would be their most desirable choice of relocation if they were to leave the UK.

Hong Kong was followed by Dubai (23%), New York (19%), Cape Town (15%) and Sydney (7%).

The research also revealed that more than seven in ten (78%) of respondents said they have "seriously considered", "are thinking about", or "would be tempted" to move overseas.

"Naturally, high achieving young professionals like those who participated in this survey, would be looking at global destinations that are perceived to offer the very best career and remuneration opportunities available; and preferably have a competitive tax rate in order to maximise their income whilst abroad," said Nigel Green, founder and chief executive of deVere Group.

He added: "Perhaps the reason why Hong Kong ranked just slightly ahead of Dubai, by three percentage points, is due to it being arguably more familiar in business terms because of its former British colony status."