The Best & Worst Countries for Living Abroad 2024

Discover the experiences of expats worldwide with the 2024 Expat Insider survey, which examines everything from getting started abroad and settling in to work, finances, and quality of life. Learn where expats find the most satisfaction and where they encounter difficulties.

The Biggest Winners in 2024

After securing an impressive 3rd place in 2023, Panama has now been crowned the best country overall for expats in 2024. An impressive 82% of expats report being happy with their life in Panama, significantly higher than the global average of 68%.

Financial satisfaction is also high among expats in Panama, with 74% expressing contentment with their financial situation, 20 percentage points above the global average of 54%. This outstanding performance places Panama first in financial satisfaction and fourth in the Personal Finance Index overall. Moreover, 88% of expats feel their disposable income is sufficient or more than sufficient for a comfortable life, compared to 70% globally.

Expats appreciate the affordability of housing in Panama, with 62% giving positive ratings, compared to 34% globally. Additionally, Panama ranks first for ease of finding accommodation. These factors contribute to its strong performance in the Expat Essentials Index, where it ranks fourth. The ease of language adaptation (11th), nearly universal praise for unrestricted online services (98% vs. 82% globally), and the ease of obtaining a visa (4th) further bolster its ranking.

An American expat shares, "I love so many things: my neighborhood, the weather, the diverse climates and landscapes (city, beach, highlands), cultural activities, the variety of restaurants, the friendly people, excellent healthcare, affordable cost of living, and the stability of the government."

In 2024, Mexico stands out as one of the top destinations for expats, with an impressive 89% expressing happiness with their life there, significantly higher than the global average of 68%. What makes Mexico so appealing to expatriates?

Ranked just behind Costa Rica, Mexico shines in the Ease of Settling In Index. The welcoming nature of the Mexican people is evident, with 86% of expats praising the general friendliness (compared to 63% globally) and 85% feeling welcomed (compared to 63% globally).

As one French expat puts it, "Mexico is a beautiful and diverse country with warm and friendly people. I appreciate the rich history and culture, which offer a perfect balance of traditions and modernity."

Adapting to the local culture (1st) and making local friends (2nd) is effortless for expats in Mexico. It's no surprise that 77% feel at home there, nearly 20 percentage points higher than the global average of 58%.

Financially, Mexico is attractive, with 62% of expats rating the cost of living favorably (compared to 40% globally) and 71% satisfied with their financial situation (compared to 54% globally).

After slipping to 13th place in 2023, Indonesia has rebounded impressively in 2024, securing the 3rd spot out of 53 destinations. Despite some areas needing improvement, Indonesia excels with its low cost of living (4th), friendly locals (2nd), and exceptional work–life balance (1st). Consequently, 84% of expats report happiness with their life in Indonesia, well above the global average of 68%.

For the third consecutive year, Indonesia ranks in the top 10 of the Personal Finance Index (3rd). Thanks to low living costs (4th), 86% of expats find their disposable income sufficient or more than sufficient for a comfortable life (vs. 70% globally). Additionally, 72% are content with their financial situation (vs. 54% globally).

An American expat notes, "It certainly costs less to live comfortably here."

However, digital life in Indonesia is challenging, with the country ranking 46th overall in this category. It falls in the bottom 10 for high-speed internet (49th), cashless payment options (45th), online administrative services (47th), and unrestricted access to online services, including social media (44th).

South Korea has achieved a remarkable recovery in the Expat Insider 2024 survey, jumping from a dismal 50th place in 2023 to a respectable 23rd in 2024. This improvement is largely attributed to significant gains in several key areas.

South Korea soared from 37th to 15th place in the Personal Finance Index. Expats now feel more financially secure, with 74% indicating their disposable income is sufficient for a comfortable life (up from 67% in 2023). Moreover, dissatisfaction with the cost of living has decreased to 28% (from 36% previously), and 70% express satisfaction with their overall financial situation.

Ease of Settling In: While challenges remain in adapting to local culture (ranked 46th), improvements are notable. The perception of local friendliness has increased by 12 percentage points to 64%, and fewer expats (19%) feel they don't belong compared to 36% in 2023.

South Korea's overall Quality of Life Index improved from 17th to 10th place, reflecting positive sentiments despite ongoing challenges. In the Working Abroad Index, South Korea moved up to 37th place, showing incremental progress.

Belgium has emerged as another notable success story in the Expat Insider 2024 survey, climbing 20 places from 38th to 18th overall. The country's advancements are particularly evident in:

Working Abroad: Belgium surged to 3rd place in the Working Abroad Index, up from 21st in 2023. Expats report high satisfaction with work-life balance (71%) and career opportunities, with a notable increase in positive ratings for job security (from 8th to 2nd place).

Belgium improved from 35th to 18th place in the Quality of Life Index. Expats appreciate enhanced public transportation (81% positive rating) and affordability (72% positive rating). However, challenges persist regarding weather (52nd) and personal safety concerns (44th).

The Biggest Losers in 2024

Finland: Finland experienced a significant decline, plummeting from 16th place in 2023 to 51st in 2024. Major setbacks were observed across multiple indices, including Personal Finance, Ease of Settling In, and Quality of Life.

Bahrain: Bahrain dropped from 9th place to 33rd in 2024, notably due to declines in Working Abroad and Personal Finance indices. Expats are less satisfied with financial aspects and perceive deteriorations in job market conditions and job security.

Canada: Canada saw a drastic decline from 27th place in 2023 to 49th in 2024. Key areas of dissatisfaction include working hours, job security, and the local economy. Canada now ranks last in the Personal Finance Index and faces challenges across other indices like Expat Essentials, Quality of Life, and Ease of Settling In.

For the seventh year in a row, Kuwait ranks at the bottom of the Quality of Life Index. Only 53% of expats rate the affordability of public transportation positively, significantly lower than the global average of 70%. The harsh weather (ranking last for climate and weather) and an unappealing natural environment contribute to this poor rating. Additionally, healthcare is a significant issue, ranking 51st overall.

"In summer, the heat can go above 50 °C.," notes an Austrian expat.

Kuwait also struggles in the Ease of Settling In Index, ranking last across all subcategories. Only 28% of expats report having a personal support system, compared to 55% globally, and just 22% are satisfied with their social life, well below the global average of 52%. Less than three in ten expats (26%) find the local population friendly towards foreigners, compared to 61% globally.

In the 2024 Expat Insider survey, Türkiye ranks 52nd out of 53 countries, with three of the five indices falling into the bottom 10. Türkiye also places 49th in overall expat happiness, with 27% of respondents expressing dissatisfaction compared to the global average of 15%.

“There is a lot of bureaucracy and difficult government processes for foreigners. The lack of available work visas and low wages are huge problems for expats living here,” says an Australian expat.

In the latest Expat Insider 2024 survey, Finland finds itself in a challenging position, with significant declines across multiple indices. Despite its strengths in Environment & Climate (8th) and Digital Life (6th), Finland struggles in other key areas, resulting in a notable drop in expat satisfaction from 78% to 51% within just one year.

Once a top contender, Finland now ranks an average 26th in the Quality of Life Index, signaling a downturn. While the country excels in Environment & Climate (8th), healthcare provisions have deteriorated drastically, dropping from 17th to 38th place. A mere 56% of expats express satisfaction with medical care availability (vs. 68% globally), with climate and weather conditions also contributing to dissatisfaction (31% positive rating vs. 58% globally).