If you’re thinking about moving abroad but are risk averse, the results of a new survey suggest putting Singapore at the top of your destinations shortlist.

For the second year in a row, Singapore has been named the best destination for expats in HSBC’s Expat Explorer survey. The survey aims to shed light on the countries that offer the best career opportunities and quality of life for foreigners looking to move abroad.

The city-state is particularly promising for professionals looking to advance their career and add more income to their pocketbooks, as 62 percent of expats living in Singapore agreed it is a good place to climb the corporate ladder.

The same proportion – about three in five – said they saw their earnings rise after moving to Singapore.

While the average income among expats globally is $97,000, expats in Singapore average $139,000.

What’s more, nearly a quarter (23 percent) earn more than $200,000.

Likewise, expats living in Singapore are particularly happy with the quality of education as three-quarters deemed it better than the education system back home – the highest proportion in the world.

And 66 percent said that their quality of life improved after moving to Singapore compared with their lives at home, compared to the global average of 52 percent.

Rounding out the top five spots on the list are New Zealand, Canada, Czech Republic and Switzerland.

Overall, the top 10 list is dominated by countries in Europe. The US is ranked 30th. While Singapore took the overall title, other countries were singled out for topping specific categories.

In the category of ‘experience,’ for instance, New Zealand topped the charts. Expats praised the country’s environment for its air and water quality, and agreed that integration in the country is largely a smooth process.

When it comes to family life consider Sweden, where three-quarters of respondents rated their children’s quality of life and education better than their lives back home. Respondents also praised the country’s childcare system.

Meanwhile, other reports published this year have ranked the best countries for expats looking for love (Ecuador), retirement (Panama), and quality of living (Vienna).

Here are the best countries for expats in the ninth edition of the HSBC Expat Explorer survey:

• 1. Singapore
• 2. New Zealand
• 3. Canada
• 4. Czech Republic
• 5. Switzerland
• 6. Norway
• 7. Austria
• 8. Sweden
• 9. Bahrain
• 10. Germany