Mumbai, Delhi are cheapest cities, but conditions apply
Are Mumbai and Delhi, the cheapest global cities to live in? Maybe, but you should read the fine print first.
“Mumbai, Delhi among world's cheapest cities to live,” said a headline in the Economic Times.If you live in Mumbai or Delhi, you were stunned by the headline. However, it’s true, so read on.[caption id="attachment_615610" align="alignleft" width="380"]
The cheapest but not for all. AFP[/caption]“Financial capitals of India and Pakistan -Mumbai and Karachi - were the cheapest cities in the world to live followed by New Delhi, according to a new survey… the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) worldwide cost of living index found…The EIU found that Mumbai shared the top ranking with Karachi in the survey based on costs of over 160 items ranging from transport, utilities, food and clothing,” said the story.“Mumbai, Delhi among world's cheapest cities: Economist Intelligence Unit,” said the Indian Express headline, with the copy virtually parroting the Economic Times story.Readers were incredulous, it seems.https://twitter.com/PritishNandy/status/299030931463892993https://twitter.com/SachinKalbag/status/298984793226485760https://twitter.com/ancheeeee/status/299011769127563265https://twitter.com/kiranmanral/status/299003735672238080What the ET and the IE seem to have missed are the qualifying statements that the EIU makes. Interestingly, the table accompanying the ET story, unlike the story itself, takes note of the qualifying statements.Here’s the table from the ET story (article continues below):
Tucked away in the details is the all-important note: “The index measures the cost of an expatriate lifestyle in over 131 cities using a weighted average of the prices of 160 products and services.” The emphasis is Firstpost’s.“The Worldwide Cost of Living survey enables human resources line managers and expatriate executives to compare the cost of living in 140 cities in 93 countries and calculate fair compensation policies for relocating employees.” the Economist Intelligence Unit explains.Now it’s clear. Mumbai and Delhi are among the two cheapest cities in the world when measuring the cost of an expatriate lifestyle.It’s not the cheapest for you and me, sadly.
Anant Rangaswami was, until recently, the editor of Campaign India magazine, of which Anant was also the founding editor. Campaign India is now arguably India's most respected publication in the advertising and media space. Anant has over 20 years experience in media and advertising. He began in Madras, for STAR TV, moving on as Regional Manager, South for Sony’s SET and finally as Chief Manager at BCCL’s Times Television and Times FM. He then moved to advertising, rising to the post of Associate Vice President at TBWA India. Anant then made the leap into journalism, taking over as editor of what is now Campaign India's competitive publication, Impact. Anant teaches regularly and is a prolific blogger and author of Watching from the sidelines.
Fall preview: Billy Eichner and "Bros" reimagine the romantic comedy
Delhi Metro: Commuter satisfaction survey on services and facilities begins Monday
GPAT 2022: Registrations open till 17 March; exam to be held on 9 April
DU Admissions 2021: First merit list for 20 postgraduate courses released; check direct link here
Massive response to 'Doorstep Delivery of Services' scheme forces Delhi govt to increase number of phone lines, operators