A survey commissioned by HSBC Bank International found that some of the world's highest-paid expatriates live in Asia and the Middle East. In Russia, a third of expats earn over $250,000 a year, with similar numbers in Japan and Qatar. Additionally, between a third and a quarter of expats in Hong Kong, the UAE, Thailand, and India earn over $200,000 annually. Asia is home to the highest paid expats, with one in four earning over $200,000 per year. Russia was named the top country for expats in terms of wealth, with the rest of the top nine being in Asia and the Middle East. Expats often view building a nest egg as a benefit of their lifestyle, with Saudi Arabia, Russia, Qatar, India, and the United Arab Emirates being the top five countries for increased savings. However, the global economic crisis has negatively impacted expats in Britain and the United States, with nearly a quarter considering returning home due to high living costs, lack of savings, and lower wages. Australia and Belgium were also found to have limited opportunities for generous salaries. The majority of expats in both countries earn less than $100,000, which is lower than the global average of 35 percent. According to Paul Say, head of marketing and communications for HSBC Bank International, expats are still considered wealthy despite the credit crunch. The Expat Explorer survey, the largest of its kind, interviewed over 3,100 expats from different nationalities living in 26 countries. More than two-thirds of expatriates around the world reported that the credit crisis had impacted their spending habits, particularly in terms of luxuries and day-to-day expenses. Nearly 40 percent stated that they were now saving more for unexpected expenses. The majority of expats in Japan, at 53 percent, were reducing their spending on holidays and other extras, while nearly half of expats in Thailand and Hong Kong were also making cutbacks. However, two-thirds of expats in Qatar and over half in Bahrain stated that the global financial crisis would not change their spending behavior, suggesting that some oil-rich Gulf Arab states were less affected by the economic downturn. Expats in Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Russia were also among the least likely to reduce their spending on luxuries, according to the survey. The individuals surveyed were selected based on four primary factors: earning over $200,000 annually, having a monthly disposable income of over $3,000, saving more money 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.