Over 8 out of 10 women who opt to take ex pat work assignments believe the move boosted their career prospects, according to a new study.

Almost all feel working overseas meets or exceeds their expectations, the findings of the fourth annual NatWest International Personal Banking (IPB) Quality of Life Index.

These successful women believe they are better equipped than men for their job, with greater communication skills, team building, and adaptability.

Many feel they have personal traits that makes success in different cultures easier for them.

Despite improved career prospects, only 33% of women believe they have equal status to men in the countries where they are working, with just 13% saying there is parity.

The greatest gender parity is in Canada.

The main reasons given for the unequal status are male stereotyping and preconceptions of women (26%), exclusion from informal communications networks (21%), and lack of influential mentors (19%).

Professional women abroad either work permanently in the country in which they are living (76%) or work in various countries (24%). Of the latter, the majority (69%) work for UK companies on temporary assignments abroad.

The US, Canada and Australia are consistently the top countries preferred by ex pats on temporary contracts – although in most cases the popularity of certain countries does not match where recruitment demand is greatest, like the Middle East and Asia.

Banking and finance are the most popular sectors for women working abroad, with a quarter (24%) starting careers in this sector. Marketing and retailing are also a popular choice (15.5%), as is publishing (15.5%).

Dave Isley, head of NatWest IPB said: “It’s clear working abroad is a popular option for women. The improvement to their career prospects and the quality of their work life both highlight why so many women are happy to take the plunge and venture into foreign climes.

“With over half of women working abroad saying it exceeds their expectations, things are looking sunny abroad. For women looking to fast track to promotion, moving abroad could be an option for them. For short stints working abroad, it’s interesting that the US, Canada and Australia are consistently at the top of the table as popular destinations.”