With a booming global economy driving the overseas postings to record high levels, India along with its emerging market peers China and Russia has emerged as one of the 'most challenging' locations to work for expatriates, a new study shows.

Over two-third of the multinational companies (69 per cent) reported an increase in the number of international assignments in 2006, while as much as 65 per cent of the MNCs plan to ramp up their overseas postings this year, according to an annual Global Relocation Trends Survey released on Monday.

The reported increase for 2006 is a record high level in the 12-year history of the survey, published by GMAC Global Relocation Services.

A booming global economy is driving a sharp surge in the number of overseas postings, even as the financial and cultural strains of an international assignment are taking their toll on spouse, children and families, the survey said. Among other findings, the survey revealed that "China, India and Russia were the primary emerging destinations."

However, these countries have also emerged as 'the most challenging locations for expatriates,' primarily due to the issues like housing and living costs, immigration challenges, payroll and employment-related concerns.

With the share of total revenue generated from outside of a company's headquartered country rising, the demand for experienced international management talent has never been greater. This has tilted the balance in favour of expatriates as firms heavily rely on them to fill critical skills gaps, transferring technology and promote corporate culture, it added.