Top Expat Countries in 2022
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Table of Contents
Introduction
Searching for top expat countries where you can probably move to this year?
A yearly ranking of the best and worst locations for those looking to live and work abroad is produced by InterNations, an international networking site, after asking thousands of expats to rate their quality of life overseas. 11,970 expats, representing 177 nationalities and residing in 181 countries, were polled for this year’s Expat Insider.
10 top expat countries
Many nations have introduced digital nomad visas in an effort to take advantage of the work-from-home trend; some even make tax-free living a perk to entice remote workers. Prospective expats may find themselves unsure of which location is appropriate for their lifestyle and professional requirements as their alternatives expand.
Below is a list of the countries which made the top 10 in the survey:
1. Mexico: The country that is easiest to relocate to
Expats in Mexico are content with their own finances and how easy it is to settle in the country. In fact, the nation tops the subcategories for local friendliness, making friends, and culture & welcome. Ninety percent of expats, compared to 66% globally, say the locals are pleasant and that they’re simple to get along with. While 64% of expats found it simple to obtain a visa to migrate to Mexico, 53% have trouble with the local bureaucracy.
Expats are particularly fond of the natural surroundings and the culinary variety and eating alternatives, but they are dissatisfied with the local air quality. Ninety-one percent of foreigners living in Mexico are content with their lives overall, placing it as the frontrunner on the survey of top expat countries for living and working abroad.
2. Indonesia: Where your money goes a long way
Sixty-four percent of expats claim that their disposable household income is more than adequate for them to live comfortably. The language and housing subcategories of the Expat Essentials Index give the nation its sixth-place ranking among the best in the world. Housing is simple to find and affordable in Indonesia – no wonder it ranked just behind Mexico on InterNations’ top expat countries poll.
While expats in Indonesia are dissatisfied with the infrastructure for automobiles, the quality of medical treatment, and the availability of green goods and services, 91% of them are content with their lives overall.
3. Taiwan: Safe and financially secure
Taiwan places third on the survey for top expat countries for living and working abroad due to its affordable and accessible healthcare. Expats in the country also experience an overall feeling of security and satisfaction with their financial situation.
Although 85% of expats in Taiwan feel fairly paid for their work, local business culture remains inflexible, uncreative, and hierarchical. Overall, 76% of expats are happy with their life in the country.
4. Portugal: Sunny, friendly and not void of things to do
Expats enjoy the weather, the air quality, and the opportunities for recreational sports in Portugal, pushing it to nab the fourth rank in the top expat countries poll by InterNations.
Expats also find it simple to settle in the country as they experience ease in making local friends and are happy with their social life.
However, 52% of the expats have difficulty coping with the local bureaucracy and are disappointed with the local job market and their personal career opportunities.
The survey found 85% of expats to be happy with their overall life in Portugal.
5. Spain: Muy bien la vida (very good life)
Spain’s fifth ranking in the top expat countries for working and living abroad was due to the wide range of dining and culinary alternatives available, as well as accessible and reasonably priced healthcare, which expats love. Compared to the global average of only 45%, 70% of expats are happy with the cost of living in Spain.
On the downside, 52% of expats in the country find it tough to handle the local bureaucracy. Additionally, personal career opportunities are lacking, and expats do feel being unfairly paid.
Overall, 83% of expats are happy with their life in Spain.
6. The UAE: Incredible career options
Getting a visa, moving to the UAE, and dealing with the local bureaucracy are easy, according to expats’ answer in the survey for top expat countries for working and living abroad. Expats are also happy with the available opportunities for their personal career and deem that relocating in the country has enhanced their career prospects.
The poll found expats to be having a bit of a hard time with personal finance such that more than one in three expats, or 36%, feel that their disposable household income is not sufficient to lead a cozy life. This may be explained by the fact that just 55% of the expats believe they are paid properly for their labor, considering their industry, level of education, and job duties.
Overall, 71% of expats are happy with their life in the UAE.
7. Vietnam: The best for personal finance
Ninety-two of expats say that their disposable household income is adequate or more than adequate for one to live comfortably in Vietnam. Most expats, or 84%, said the residents are friendly in general and that they feel welcome and at home in the country.
Expats find dealing with the local bureaucracy and opening a bank account to be tough though. They are also dissatisfied with the quality of healthcare and are concerned about the urban environment.
Overall, 84% of expats are happy with their life in Vietnam, naturally earning the country a place in the top expat countries survey.
8. Thailand: Great social life, medical care, and finances
In Thailand, 70% of expats express satisfaction with their personal finances and social life, as well as the ease of making local friends.
Expats are pleased with the culinary selections, dining alternatives, and level of medical treatment, but 45% of them are unhappy with the air quality. In addition, they are disappointed with the lack of creativity and independent work in the local business culture.
Overall, 77% of expats are happy with their life in Thailand.
9. Australia: Good destination to work and relax
Not only are expats in Australia contented with the local job market and their personal career prospects, but they are also happy with their work-life balance. The country’s amazing natural environment, the opportunity for recreational sports, local culture that’s easy to adapt to, and homey feels also make it attractive to the expats surveyed.
While expats are upset with the local cost of living, 71% still have enough or more than enough to live in comfort.
Overall, 75% of expats are happy with their life in Australia.
10. Singapore: Easy to manage day-to-day life
Placing tenth on the top expat countries poll is Singapore. According to expats, creating a local bank account is simple and local authorities are not difficult to deal with. They are also happy with the country’s public transportation and healthcare services which are easy to access, as well as with the general feeling of security the place offers.
Eighty-seven percent of expats surveyed feel that their disposable household income is enough or more than enough to live comfortably, but they remain displeased with the general cost of living in Singapore. While, some local residents were deemed hostile in dealing with foreign residents, expats still find it easy to make local friends.
Seventy-three percent of expats are happy overall with their life in Singapore.
Working remotely while living overseas
People are becoming more and more interested in living overseas whether it’s because they are part of the growing number of workers dissatisfied with their current jobs or are just looking for ways to make ends meet amid the crisis of exorbitant living costs felt globally.
People can live abroad much more easily now that remote work is so common. It’s not surprising how the whole idea could be enticing to certain people who are looking at it entirely from a financial point of view. To some extent, the opportunity could also offer political advantages, particularly to those tired of the political hullabaloo in their own countries.
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