Thursday, November 23, 2006

Cosmopolitan?

I've found a table of cities, with those foreign born as a percentage of the metropolitan population. Its interesting, as I assume its meant to represent some sort of measure of diversity. But have a look - does it?

1. Dubai - approx 82% foreign born
2. Miami - approx 46% foreign born
3. Toronto - approx 42% foreign born
4. Muscat - approx 42% foreign born
5. Hong Kong apr. 41%
6. Vancouver apr. 40%
7. LA apr. 38%
8. New York apr. 37%
9. Amsterdam apr. 29%
10. London apr. 26%

Look at cities you'd normally associate with diversity - London, New York, LA, Dubai (especially Dubai). But then, Muscat? Anyone who lives there knows it doesnt fit in with the rest of the cities. Most of the 'foreign born' are from a certain region. I suspect it'd be similar but to a smaller extent with Miami.

Posted by illogicist at 1:05 AM

3 Comments

  1. Blogger Arabian Princess posted at 11/23/2006 05:29:00 AM  
    Oman compared to the other gulf capital who a certain diversity that is not avaliable to the rest. We dont only have the diversity from the east .. but even the west of the arabian penunsila (Africa). I think it makes it quite diverse doesnt it? ;)
  2. Blogger Sree posted at 11/23/2006 11:25:00 PM  
    I'm guessing the equation only takes into factor the # of non-immigrants in a country, contrary to bracketing them into different countries and hence compiling an index for diversity. In the sense, Mct will be up there because of the sheer number of Asians who reside there. Diversity index/% would be very low, if calculated correctly.

    I'm terrible at explaining my thought process sometimes, so pardon me if you didn't understand what I wrote above. =P
  3. Blogger illogicist posted at 11/24/2006 04:23:00 AM  
    Arabian Princess, that is a point, however many of those from Africa have been integrated into Omani society over generations, were born in Oman and consider themselves Omani. So in that sense the Omani aspect of society may be diverse. But at the same time in terms of 'diversity' of the non-omani population, I dont think we compare to places like New York or London, for reasons Sree said (even if I dont quite get the methodology, I understand the overall idea you're trying to say Sree). In Oman, primarily due to economic conditions, we have a high number of non-omani labourers which up the figure of non-omanis living in Muscat at least. In that sense the table gives an inaccurate picture.

    I got the table from the economist, I'll post their source, once I find the damn magazine (lost it!)

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