Jo’burg takes the prize: world’s cheapest city
In its latest global cities cost of living survey for 2002, Mercer Human Resource Consulting found that Johannesburg outranked 143 other cities as the world’s cheapest city.
Using New York as the base city scoring 100 points, Hong Kong scored 124.2, making it the world’s most expensive city. By contrast Johannesburg is three-and-a-half times cheaper with an index score of 34.4 points.
Results show that the gap between the world’s most and least expensive cities is narrowing. In the last year alone, the difference has reduced by nearly 15%.
The survey found that Harare in Zimbabwe has leaped ahead of other cities to become the continent’s most expensive city. It has moved up from position 130 to 26. The main reason cited was the high rate of inflation due to the current political and economical situation. Furthermore, the current fixed exchange rate (an article in The Star today claimed that instead of the pegged rate of Z$55 = US$1, the black market is fetching around Z$800 for a US$) was clearly leading to price increases.
The survey said that despite the rand’s fall over the last year, (around 40% late last year, although it’s recovered half those losses this year) inflation has generally been kept in check Africa’s most expensive cities are:
1. Harare, Zimbabwe index 2002: 81.3 index 2001: 50.8
2. Cairo, Egypt index 2002: 72.9 index 2001: 77.3
3. Algiers, Algeria index 2002: 70.1 index 2001: 67.2
4. Lagos, Nigeria index 2002: 69.5 index 2001: 58.4
5. Abidjan, Ivory Coast index 2002: 67.6 index 2001: 66.4
6. Accra, Ghana index 2002: 64.7 index 2001: 56.4
7. Casablanca, Morocco index 2002: 63.7 index 2001: 63.9
8. Dakar, Senegal index 2002: 63.1 index 2001: 61.0
9. Tunis, Tunisia index 2002: 54.9 index 2001: 51.3
10.Lusaka, Zambia index 2002: 54.1 index 2001: 52.8
11. Blantyre, Malawi index 2002: 47.8 index 2001: 29.3
12. Jo’burg, RSA index 2002: 34.4 index 2001: 43.4
(Miguel de Sousa) Information supplied by Travel News Now
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Skyscanner reveals major travel trends 2026 at ITB Asia
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements