Where In The World Is The MBA Most Valued?

The report’s laugh-out-loud fluctuations were in bonus amounts. It appears time to put the vodka back in the shelf in Eastern Europe. After a 128% average bonus increase from 2013 to 2014, the region had a -48% change from 2014 to 2015. Latin America also saw a -48% change in average bonuses from 2014 to 2015. In fact, all regions decreased in average bonuses sans Asia-Pacific, which saw a 44% surge. Average bonuses still remain highest in the U.S. and Canada at $26,100, despite Asia-Pacific knocking at the door at $26,000. To be sure, Asia-Pacific should thank Singapore for the high average. Apparently MBAs in Singapore can expect an average bonus of $46,700 (more on that in a bit).

Iqbal attributed the major swings in developing areas to the emerging market of hiring MBAs. Again, another reason for the fluctuations could be the differing amount of employers reporting from year-to-year or currency swings. If a minimal amount from one region reports, one outlier (think Singapore) could change quite a bit in the overall number. As the report states in regards to the Middle East and Africa, “this is perhaps the region in which one can expect the greatest degree of volatility, given the relatively small pool of employers.”

If you’re aiming to make a lot of that m00la, the land down under is for you. MBAs in New Zealand made an average of $155,000, when salary and bonuses were combined. Swiss MBAs made the second-most with $152,500, and Aussies reported an average of $151,900. When only salaries are included, the U.S. enjoys the fourth-highest. But Singapore’s ridiculous average bonus of $46,700 slingshots them in front of the U.S. once you combine base  and bonus.

Interestingly, employers in Norway reported an average MBA salary of $157,300 with an average bonus of $62,900, catapulting them ahead of any other country. Meanwhile, South Africa reported an average salary of $205,200. Iqbal says each country has to hit a “threshold” of 15 reporting employers to be considered in the top salaries per country ranking. “The responses for Norway were not substantial enough,” Iqbal explains, adding the report is meant to “focus on regional as opposed to country.”

Again, delving into the weeds of the report reveals some odd discrepancies. Singapore has a salary of $94,600 and a bonus of $46,700. But in the Asia-Pacific section the salary and bonus is listed as $101,500 and $46,000. Same goes for Australia, which is listed on the top country ranking as $124,800 and $27,100, yet later in the report has a bonus listed at $28,400.

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