Bermuda has the third highest salary for expatriates behind the likes of Russia and Singapore, according to a study by HSBC.

The Expat Economic survey, part of HSBC Bank International's Expat Explorer Survey of 4,100 expats from 100 countries, ranked 25 countries on scores linked to annual income, monthly disposable income, and a measure of defined luxuries.

The third annual report, which was conducted by research company GfK, revealed that about 13 percent of ex-pats globally earned $250,000 a year or more, with Russia top of the table for earners followed by Singapore and Bermuda with 32 percent and 27 percent of expats respectively earning this amount. The Bermuda Job Market Employment Briefs report for June 2010 reported that the median annual income of non-Bermudians was $64,370 for 2009, down one percent from $65,316 in 2008.

Mainland Europe took the lowest positions on the table, as per the HSBC survey.

While only one quarter, or 26 percent, of global expats on average earn less than $60,000, the survey found 62 percent of expats living in Spain earn below that amount, 47 percent of expats in France and the Netherlands, and 45 percent in Germany.

But HSBC spokeswoman Lisa Wood said this could largely be explained by the high number of expats who choose to retire in mainland Europe.

One in five expats say they are able to pay off debt while working abroad but workers in Britain and Australia are most likely to be accumulating more debt, at 11 percent and nine percent respectively.

The survey found that Russia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are home to the wealthiest expats, with Eurozone countries falling behind when it comes to paying for foreign expertise.

The report also revealed that finances among expats were generally positive with two-thirds, or 66 percent, saying they have more disposable income to save and invest since moving abroad. Meanwhile expats in Russia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Singapore enjoyed the greatest wealth overall, having higher salaries, more disposable income and more luxury items like swimming pools, properties and yachts, according to the study.

Expats in Russia topped the list for the second consecutive year with a third, or 36 percent, reporting earnings of more than $250,000 a year - compared to two-thirds, or 62 percent, of expats in Spain earning below $60,000.

Ms Wood said the survey showed the wealth gap was widening between the east and west, with expats in emerging economies leaving their counterparts in the Eurozone behind.