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Ashgabat, Turkmenistan emerged as the most expensive city in the world for international employees for 2021.

This is according to the latest study by global human resources consulting and asset management firm, Mercer.

As expected, the COVID-19 pandemic played a major role in the research and findings.

“Cost of living has always been a factor for international mobility planning, but the pandemic has added a whole new layer of complexity, as well as long-term implications related to health and safety of employees, remote working and flexibility policies, among other considerations,” commented Ilya Bonic, career president and head of Mercer Strategy.

“As organizations rethink their talent and mobility strategies, accurate and transparent data is essential to compensate employees fairly for all types of assignments.”

Ashgabat, Turkmenistan's capital, rose to the top spot from number two in last year's ranking.

The country's financial crisis resulting in hyperinflation and food shortages has spiked up the cost of living nationwide.

Hong Kong slips to second from last year's first place.

Beirut, Lebanon occupied third place followed by Tokyo, Japan, and Zurich in Switzerland.

Beirut leaped 42 spots into third place due to the series of crises that faced Lebanon including the devastating port explosion in August that further weakened its economy.

Completing the top 10 are Shanghai in China, Singapore, Geneva in Switzerland, and Beijing in China.

As for Manila, the capital of the Philippines, ranks 78th overall.

Meanwhile, Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan is the cheapest city in the world according to the study.

Trailing behind is the Zambian capital Lusaka followed by Tbilisi in Georgia.

Mercer gauged the comparative cost of more than 200 items to come up with the final list. These included housing, food, and transport costs.

For more lifestyle content, head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.

Meanwhile, here are some of our local celebrities who left the limelight to reside abroad: