A survey conducted in 2009 by HSBC Bank International found that some of the world's highest-paid expatriates reside in Asia and the Middle East. The survey revealed that a significant number of expats in Russia, Japan, and Qatar earn annual salaries exceeding $250,000. Additionally, between a third and a quarter of expats in Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, and India make more than $200,000 per year. On the other hand, countries like Malaysia, China, and India were noted for having affordable housing options for expatriates. The survey concluded that Asia is home to some of the highest-paid expatriates, with one in four earning over $200,000 annually. Russia was ranked as the top country for expats in terms of wealth, with the remaining top nine all located in Asia and the Middle East. Building a nest egg is seen as a benefit of expat life for many, with Saudi Arabia, Russia, Qatar, India, and the United Arab Emirates being the top five countries where people have seen an increase in savings. However, the global economic crisis has had a significant impact on expats in the UK and US, with nearly a quarter considering returning home due to high living costs, lack of savings, and lower wages. The survey also found that generous salaries are not common in Australia and Belgium. More than 60 percent of expatriates in both countries earn less than $100,000, making them the expatriates with the lowest wages when compared to the global average of 35 percent. The largest survey, Expat Explorer, conducted by HSBC Bank International, gathered information from over 3,100 expats from different nationalities living in 26 countries. Head of marketing and communications for HSBC, Paul Say, noted that despite the economic challenges, expats continue to be a wealthy group, with over half of those surveyed earning $100,000 or more. More than 66% of expatriates around the world stated that the financial crisis had impacted their spending habits, with luxuries and daily expenses being the most affected. Almost 40% mentioned that they were increasing their savings for unforeseen circumstances. In Japan, over 50% of expats were reducing their holiday and other leisure expenses, the highest percentage globally. Similarly, expats in Thailand and Hong Kong were also cutting back on spending, with nearly half of them doing so. On the other hand, expats in Qatar and Bahrain seemed unaffected by the crisis, with the majority stating that their spending habits would remain unchanged. Expats in Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Russia were found to be the least likely to reduce their spending on luxuries according to the survey conducted by HSBC. The survey participants were selected based on four key factors: making over $200,000 annually, having a monthly disposable income of over $3,000, saving more while working overseas, and owning at least two luxury items in their current country of residence. The survey took place from February to April 2009.