To encourage employment mobility and keep abreast of the competition, you need reliable information to help you calculate fair, consistent expatriate allowances. Based on 39 factors within ten categories, Mercer’s Quality of Living Reports contain all the key elements you need to calculate hardship allowances for transfers to 498 cities worldwide. “Hardship allowance” refers to premium compensation paid to expatriates who experience – or should expect to experience – a significant deterioration in living conditions in their new host location.

Mercer's Quality of Living Methodology was developed by an international team of Mercer professionals, working closely with major multinational companies and other experts in the field. Our Quality of Living Reports are released annually, in early November.

Consider these questions...

• Do you have clear, objective information on quality of living differences between cities around the world?
• Can you easily assess competitive hardship allowances for your employees on international assignments?
• Are you consistent when setting your hardship allowances around the world? Can you justify them objectively?
• Are your allowances based on significant international quality of living factors?