Mexico emerges as the most favoured destination for expats, with Spain, Panama, Malaysia, and Taiwan also making the top five. Conversely, Germany, South Korea, Turkey, Norway, and Kuwait are deemed unfavourable.
In the recent survey titled ‘Expats Insider 2023’, InterNations analyzed responses from over 12,000 participants worldwide through online services, providing valuable insights into expatriate experiences across 53 nations.
MEXICO: A HAVEN FOR EXPATS
Mexico’s continued top performance is reflected in the Ease of Settling In Index, where it secured the first position in 2023. Throughout the ten years of the Expat Insider survey, Mexico has consistently excelled in this category. Expats particularly appreciated the local friendliness, with 91% of respondents finding Mexican residents to be generally friendly, compared to the global average of 67%. Moreover, 89% of them felt welcomed by locals, surpassing the global average of 65%.
Making friends in Mexico proved to be an effortless task, as 74% reported it was easy to connect with locals, compared to the global average of 43%. This abundance of social connections contributed to a strong personal support network and overall satisfaction with social lives, ranking Mexico second in these aspects. The country’s culture and warm welcome were also highly regarded, securing the first position in the Culture & Welcome Subcategory.
In terms of essential expat factors, Mexico ranked 12th in the Expat Essentials Index. The housing aspect stood out, with expats praising the ease of finding affordable accommodation, placing Mexico 6th in this category. Affordability remained a recurring theme, as Mexico secured the 2nd position in the Personal Finance Index, with 71% expressing satisfaction with the cost of living, compared to the global average of 44%. Overall, 80% reported being content with their financial situation, exceeding the global average of 58%.
Mexico’s performance in the Working Abroad Index was positive, securing the 22nd position. Expats expressed satisfaction with personal career opportunities (4th), fair pay (5th), and work-life balance (7th). However, the Quality of Life Index revealed mixed results, with Mexico ranking 45th for political stability and 18% of expats feeling unsafe, double the global average of 8%. On the positive side, the country’s abundant leisure options earned it the 2nd position worldwide. In total, 90% of expats expressed happiness with their life in Mexico, surpassing the global average of 72%.
Mexico’s consistent appeal among expats can be attributed to its welcoming environment, vibrant culture, affordable living, and a wide range of leisure activities. As the ‘Expats Insider 2023’ survey showcases, Mexico continues to be a top choice for those seeking an enriching expat experience.
SPAIN: A SECOND HOME WITH HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE
Consistently ranking in the top 10 of the Quality of Life Index since the first Expat Insider survey in 2014, Spain remains a sought-after destination for expats. The country’s abundant leisure options secured the first position once again in 2023. With 88% of expats expressing happiness with the local culture and nightlife, compared to the global average of 68%, Spain proves to be an exciting place to live. Furthermore, more than nine out of ten expats (91%) are satisfied with the opportunities for recreational sports, surpassing the global average of 75%. Spain’s pleasant climate and weather contribute to an environment that encourages outdoor activities.
Although Spain ranked 12th in the Ease of Settling In Index, it stands out in the Culture & Welcome Subcategory, securing the sixth position. An impressive 80% of expats feel at home in Spain, surpassing the global average by 18 percentage points.
On the work front, Spain performs less favourably in the Working Abroad Index, ranking 34th. Less than half of the expats (49%) believe that their move to Spain has improved their career prospects, compared to the global average of 59%. Additionally, 36% express dissatisfaction with the local job market, compared to 26% globally. However, Spain ranks 10th in the Work & Leisure Subcategory, with expats reporting high satisfaction with their work-life balance (73% happy, exceeding the global average of 63%).
Expats in Spain face few financial challenges, as the country ranks 13th in the Personal Finance Index. A notable 69% of expats express contentment with the general cost of living, compared to 44% globally. In terms of housing affordability, Spain ranks 13th among the 53 surveyed destinations. Overall, 87% of expats report being happy with their life in Spain, surpassing the global average of 72%.
PANAMA: A SMOOTH TRANSITION AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT
Panama secures the third position out of 53 destinations in the ‘Expats Insider 2023’ survey. Expats highlight the ease of settling in Panama, ranking it 4th in this category. The country excels in the Finding Friends (1st) and Culture & Welcome (2nd) Subcategories. A significant 82% of expats have a personal support network, exceeding the global average by 24 percentage points. Connecting with locals and feeling at home are also major strengths, with 74% and 81% of expats expressing satisfaction, respectively.
While Panama’s performance in the Quality of Life Index is average (28th), expats appreciate the favourable climate and air quality, ranking 11th and 10th, respectively. However, the Working Abroad Index presents challenges for expats, with Panama ranking 30th overall. Particularly in the Career Prospects Subcategory, the country falls to 45th, citing concerns about the local job market and job security. On a positive note, Panama ranks 11th in the Work & Leisure Subcategory.
Expats in Panama enjoy a strong financial situation, with the country securing the eighth position in the Personal Finance Index. A remarkable 80% of expats express satisfaction with their financial status, surpassing the global average of 58%. The Expat Essentials Index also highlights Panama’s strengths, particularly in housing availability and affordability. Despite challenges in opening bank accounts, expats find it easy to find and afford housing. Overall, 81% of expats report being satisfied with their life in Panama, exceeding the global average of 72%.
KUWAIT: CHALLENGES IN QUALITY OF LIFE AND SETTLING IN
Kuwait ranks last in the ‘Expats Insider 2023’ survey, following a pattern of consistently poor performance over the past ten years. The country’s quality of life is ranked 53rd globally, with expats expressing particular dissatisfaction with leisure options. Approximately half of them (49%) feel unable to openly express themselves and their opinions, significantly higher than the global average of 15%. Additionally, the availability, affordability, and quality of healthcare in Kuwait leave much to be desired.
Low rankings in the Local Friendliness, Finding Friends, and Culture& Welcome Subcategories contribute to Kuwait’s last-place position in the Ease of Settling In Index. Expats find it challenging to adapt to the local culture (36% compared to the global average of 18%) and only 37% are satisfied with their social lives, compared to 56% globally. Kuwait also falls in the bottom 10 in the Working Abroad Index, with concerns about fair pay and lack of work culture flexibility.
While Kuwait’s performance in the Expat Essentials and Personal Finance Indices is average, only 34% express contentment with the general cost of living, lower than the global average of 44%. Housing availability stands out as a positive aspect, with only 15% of them facing difficulties, compared to 31% globally. Overall, only 43% report happiness with their life in Kuwait, compared to the global average of 72%.
NORWAY: UNFRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT AND HIGH COSTS
Norway ranks 52nd in the Personal Finance Index, as the majority of expats (62%) rate the local cost of living negatively, compared to 35% globally. Additionally, 37% state that their disposable household income is insufficient for a comfortable life, higher than the global average of 27%.
Norway struggles in the Ease of Settling In Index, with expats describing locals as unfriendly towards foreign residents and facing challenges in making local friends and socializing. Only 37% of expats feel at home in Norway, compared to 20% globally.
The country’s Quality of Life Index performance is below average, with expats expressing dissatisfaction with public transportation affordability and limited opportunities for travel. However, expats appreciate the political stability, high air quality, and natural environment in Norway.
In terms of working abroad, Norway ranks 18th globally, with high job security and a favourable economy. However, expats are less satisfied with their personal career opportunities. Overall, 61% of expats report happiness with their life in Norway, compared to 72% globally.
TURKEY: LOW JOB SATISFACTION AND LIMITED ONLINE ACCESS
Turkey ranks last globally in the Working Abroad Index, with expats expressing unhappiness with their working hours, job security, and personal career opportunities. Nearly one in four expats (24%) are dissatisfied with their job in general, compared to 16% globally.
The country also performs below average in the Expat Essentials Index, particularly in terms of unrestricted access to online services and difficulties in obtaining high-speed internet access at home.
In the Personal Finance Index, while 44% express satisfaction with the general cost of living, less than half (48%) are content with their financial situation, below the global average of 58%. Turkey’s Ease of Settling In Index performance is somewhat below average, with expats finding it relatively easier to make local friends.
Overall, 60% of expats report happiness with their life in Turkey, compared to the global average of 72%.
