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The surge in international travel this year is a testament to how much we’ve been craving foreign destinations, along with the diverse mix of people, culture, and cuisine they serve up. And while there has always been a subset of the population that’s taken that craving a step further by completely relocating abroad, the pandemic opened the option up to more people than ever before—by creating increased remote work opportunities.
Plus, numerous countries have in recent years developed and enhanced digital nomad programs to court remote workers, making it easier than ever to install oneself in a foreign country for a prolonged period.
If you’re thinking of making the move abroad and are wondering where you might go, perhaps the experience and insight of others who have taken the plunge before you might help with the decision.
InterNations, an expat community with more than 4.8 million members, this week published the results of its annual Expat Insider survey, which it’s been running for a decade now. More than 12,000 respondents rated their satisfaction levels with various aspects of expat life in 53 countries on the basis of five indices: quality of life, ease of settling in, working abroad, personal finance, and the expat essentials index, which includes housing, administration, language, and digital life.
The results revealed both the best and worst countries for living abroad, with the top 10 countries including a mix of destinations in North and Central America, Asia, and Europe.
The best countries for expats to live abroad
- Mexico
- Spain
- Panama
- Malaysia
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Costa Rica
- Philippines
- Bahrain
- Portugal
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The world’s best foreign country to live in
The best country to live and work abroad is Mexico, according to the annual Expat Insider survey. It has ranked among the survey’s top five countries for as long as the survey has been running, since 2014. In 2023, the factors expats appreciate most about living in Mexico include how easy it is to settle in and the friendliness of locals, which helps expats find a strong support network and a fulfilling social life.
According to a group called Expats in Mexico, there’s another huge reason why the destination has become so popular with the community: cost of living.
“With most of the world caught in an inflationary spiral, cost of living is uppermost in the minds of many expats who live here, as well as aspiring expats from other countries who may be planning or considering a move to Mexico,” Robert Nelson, founder of Expats in Mexico, said in a release last fall announcing the results of the group’s annual member survey.
According to the Expats in Mexico study, about 64 percent of the 364 respondents said that they live on a monthly budget of 40,000 pesos or less ($2,370 based on current conversion rates).
The cost of living, affordability of housing, personal finances, and career opportunities in Mexico ranked high in the InterNations survey results, too, as did culture and the climate.
Overall, 90 percent of expats in Mexico are happy with their life there, the Expat Insider survey found, compared to 72 percent globally.
So, where in Mexico do expats prefer to live? Mexico City ranked third in InterNations’ most recent annual global city ranking, which was released in November 2022, with expats praising the country’s capital city for its ability to make them feel welcome and at home. International Living, a publication dedicated to overseas living, also cites Puerto Vallarta, San Miguel de Allende, Mérida, Lake Chapala, Tulúm, Huatulco, and Los Cabos as popular outposts for foreigners residing in Mexico.
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Best countries for expats to live and work in Europe
In Europe, Spain and Portugal are the two best countries for expats to live and work, according to foreigners who live abroad. They were the only two countries in Europe to make the top 10 list in the 2023 Expat Insider survey, with Spain ranking 2nd, and Portugal ranking 10th. Spain placed high for its leisure options, culture and nightlife, recreation, and climate. The vast majority of expats (80 percent) say they feel at home in Spain, and 73 percent applaud the work-life balance there.
As for Portugal, expats praise how welcome they feel and the quality of life. While local job opportunities are not abundant, foreigners living in Portugal report that their household income is more than enough to lead a comfortable life there.
Other European countries that ranked in the top 25 were Finland (16), Luxembourg (19), Czechia (21), Netherlands (22), Switzerland (23), Sweden (24), and Greece (25).
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Best countries for expats to live and work in Asia
The best countries to live and work in Asia are Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, and Bahrain, according to the survey. Malaysia gets high marks for its affordability, the ability to make friends there, and for the local culture. In Taiwan, global citizens are particularly impressed with the healthcare system, as well as with job security and satisfaction.
Cost of living, cuisine, friendliness, and the ease of finding good, affordable housing contributed to Thailand’s place on the top 10 list. Expats consider the Philippines to excel in terms of being an affordable place to live where they have a comfortable financial situation and high job satisfaction, all while easily becoming friends with locals.
Bahrain, the small island nation in West Asia at No. 9, was noted for the fact that housing is easy to find and for its friendly locals. However, 43 percent of expats living there don’t feel like their disposable income is enough for a comfortable life (compared to 27 percent globally), and expats report working an average of 49.3 hours per week in Bahrain.
Best countries for expats to live and work in Central America
Costa Rica and Panama were voted as the best places to live and work in Central America by the global expat community. Friendliness, the environment, nature, and climate all get top marks from expats living in Costa Rica. And in Panama, good personal finances, culture, and the ability to easily find friends propelled the destination to No. 3. on this year’s list.
Check the full list to see how all 53 countries included in the survey fared.
Michelle Baran
Michelle Baran is the senior travel news editor at AFAR where she oversees breaking news, travel intel, pandemic coverage, airline, cruise, and consumer travel news. Baran joined AFAR in August 2018 after an 11-year run as a senior editor and reporter at leading travel industry newspaper Travel Weekly.
As an avid traveler and enthusiast in the realm of international living, I bring to the table a wealth of first-hand experiences and a deep understanding of the factors that contribute to a satisfying life abroad. Over the years, I have explored diverse cultures, navigated through various expat communities, and closely followed trends in global mobility. My insights are not just theoretical but rooted in personal encounters and observations, making me well-versed in the intricacies of living and working in foreign countries.
The recent surge in international travel, fueled by a growing desire for novel experiences, has been underscored by the profound impact of the pandemic on remote work opportunities. The evolving landscape has seen numerous countries actively courting remote workers through digital nomad programs, making it increasingly accessible for individuals to embrace extended stays in foreign locales.
The article references the annual Expat Insider survey conducted by InterNations, a reputable expat community with over 4.8 million members. This survey, running for a decade, involves more than 12,000 respondents rating their satisfaction across five indices: quality of life, ease of settling in, working abroad, personal finance, and the expat essentials index. The latter encompasses housing, administration, language, and digital life, providing a comprehensive overview of expat experiences.
Now, delving into the specifics, the top 10 countries for expats according to the 2023 Expat Insider survey include:
- Mexico
- Spain
- Panama
- Malaysia
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Costa Rica
- Philippines
- Bahrain
- Portugal
Mexico stands out as the best country for expats, consistently ranking high since 2014. Expats appreciate the ease of settling in, friendliness of locals, and notably, the cost of living. According to Expats in Mexico, the affordability of living is a significant factor, with 64% of respondents living on a monthly budget of 40,000 pesos or less.
In Europe, Spain and Portugal emerge as the top choices, with Spain excelling in leisure options, culture, and work-life balance. Portugal, despite limited local job opportunities, is praised for the quality of life and the welcoming atmosphere.
Moving to Asia, the preferred countries for expats are Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Philippines, and Bahrain. These nations receive accolades for various factors, including affordability, healthcare, job satisfaction, and friendliness of locals.
For those eyeing Central America, Costa Rica and Panama are highlighted for their friendliness, natural environment, and overall quality of life.
The article provides a comprehensive look at the global landscape for expats, offering valuable insights for individuals considering a move abroad. The rankings are based on a robust survey methodology, capturing the sentiments of a diverse expat community and providing a reliable guide for those seeking new horizons.
