The Permits Foundation Expatriate Spouse and Partner Survey
In December 2008, the Permits Foundation released the results of their international survey, which examined the views of 3,300 expatriate spouses and partners of 122 nationalities, currently accompanying international employees working in 117 host countries for over 200 employers in both the private and public sector.
The survey provides evidence that a lack of spouse or partner employment opportunities adversely affects global mobility of highly skilled international employees.
A few focused and simple improvements on the part of employers and governments can make a triple win for families, employers and the countries in which they work.
Some of their findings:
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| • Almost 90% of spouses and partners were employed before expatriation. |
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Only 35% were employed during expatriation. |
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• Almost 60% of respondents said that in the future, they would be unlikely to relocate to a
country where it is difficult for a spouse or partner to get a work permit, and |
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• Not all spouses want to work and some are very happy to take a career break, for
example to raise children. However, there appears to be a clear link between working
and positive feelings about the assignment. |
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Download the International Survey Summary Report here: 
