During these unprecedented times, Global Mobility is challenged with the difficult task of supporting an international workforce amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This survey focuses on how companies are handling their international expatriate populations, and the steps Global Mobility is taking to address the unique circumstances due to COVID-19.

In this unprecedented time, AIRINC has created a landing page to serve as a hub to help you learn more about how your peers in global mobility are responding to the impact of COVID-19. In addition we will share advice from our team, exchange rate changes, upcoming events, blog posts related to the crisis, and relevant documents. We also plan to add information related to the COVID-19 recovery.

The Stockholm housing rental market has been mostly stable over the last several months, despite a steady increase in demand. Rental units are challenging to find in this near-zero vacancy market and houses are especially limited. For new assignees, there has been an increase in demand for employer-backed leases and this trend is expected to grow.

My expectations for my November visit to Luxembourg did not include traffic jams, road closures, scaffolding, bulldozers, excavators, jackhammers, or circumnavigating around open-pit construction sites, but that’s exactly what I found.

AIRINC is featured in the February edition of Mobility, a magazine that "examines the key issues affecting the global mobility workforce." This article appears on page 10, the "Tips and Trends" section, and is entitled Housing Markets on the Rise—and Not. 

Berlin rents increased over the past year. Demand is growing from new start-up companies and larger international companies establishing headquarters in Berlin. Construction of new rental units is underway but expected to take a few more years before appearing on the market.

When it comes to expatriate housing in Taipei, Tian Mu and Xinyi are two of the top picks for most assignees. Xinyi is popular for singles and couples because it’s centrally located to everything the downtown has to offer. Tian Mu has many single-family homes and large apartments that are particularly attractive to western assignees. Tian Mu also has two international schools, the Taipei American School and the Taipei Japanese School, and the Taipei European School is also close by, making it very popular with those going on assignment with a family.

The rental housing market is slowly picking back up in Aberdeen after the slump in global oil and gas prices. Despite current events like Brexit and climate change concerns, the oil and gas industry is seeing a slow but steady revival in this coastal city, bringing in more expatriates who are increasing the demand for good quality housing.

There is a strong Chinese presence in Phnom Penh. Chinese investment is expanding the limited recreational activities in Phnom Penh by funding hotels, resorts, and casinos. According to recent reports, Chinese firms are planning to fund bigger and better 5-star hotels and serviced apartments in Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, hoping to bring more tourists and potential investors to Cambodia.

My onsite survey of Buenos Aires, Argentina took place shortly after the country’s presidential election. The former President, right-leaning Mauricio Macri, was unseated by his left-of-center challenger Alberto Fernández. My last survey in Argentina was in 2016, shortly after Macri was elected. While starkly different candidates, the circumstances of their election are similar. Then as now, high inflation, currency devaluation, idle wages and structural issues have left Argentines looking for a change and willing to try something new.