According to an investigative report on immigration that was revealed on October 22, China was listed as the 3rd best country for immigration in 2014. According to the foreigners who took part in the investigation, high salary was the major reason they chose China. There were 2,400 foreigners working in Xiamen in 2013 and 2,600 foreigners worked in Xiamen in the first 9 months of 2014. In 2013, more than half of the foreigners earned over RMB 20,000 every month, and 558 foreigners earned more than RMB 50,000 every month, accounting for 23% of the whole group.

From January to September 2014, 12 corporate executives from Saudi Arabia paid RMB 136.6 million of personal income taxes in Xiamen, which means their average monthly salary surpassed RMB 300,000 per person. One sixth of the foreigners in Xiamen were found to be making average incomes. In 2013, there were 451 foreigners earning about RMB 8,000 every month, accoding to the report.