Hot off the press, InterNations’ yearly ranking for the best places to live for expats is out! They surveyed over 12,000 expats living in 59 countries to come up with a ranking of the most expat-friendly countries. The cost of living, ease of settling in, and overall quality of life are just a few of several criteria InterNations looked at. Here, our friends at Pacific Prime will reveal the top 3 best places to live and work abroad in 2021, and why expats are drawn to them. 

1. Taiwan

Taiwan topped the chart for the third year in a row as the best place to live in for expats. A stunning 96% of expats surveyed are happy with the quality of medical care in the place.

This is significantly higher than the global average of 71%. What’s more, not a single person feels personally unsafe in Taiwan. Job security, the state of the local economy, and the affordable cost of living are all things expats are satisfied with. They also claim to be happy with their job and their life in general in Taiwan. Many (96%) are pleased to see how friendly the Taiwanese are.

2. Mexico

While Taiwan is crowned king as the best overall place, Mexico tops the chart for personal happiness. Indeed, many (78%) say that it’s incredibly easy to make local friends here. Mexico also scores high marks for the ease of getting settled, an often difficult process for expats. Simply put, they tend to feel at home here and have no trouble getting around town. Additionally, 4 out of 5 expats are satisfied with their financial situation.

Having said that, Mexico ends up among the bottom 10 when it comes to personal safety and security. Rank 31st, it also scored slightly below average in the Quality of Life Index. For instance, a number of expats are put off with the water and sanitation.

3. Costa Rica

Costa Rica is home to a generally friendly population who is quick to befriend outsiders. It’s no wonder that it ranked high on the Ease of Settling In Index. What’s more, 84% of expats in Costa Rica claim that disposable household income was “enough or more than enough” to cover all expenses. In the country where the happiness rating is second to none other than Mexico, expats seem to enjoy living here just fine .

However, Costa Rica came in the bottom 10 for travel and transportation. Public transportation seems to be a source of headache for many. One expat in Costa Rica cites the poor drivers, bad roads, and insufficient infrastructure as the main reasons behind their frustration.

Trends in the best and worst places to live as an expat

Portugal is the only European destination to make it into the top 10 of overall ranking. When it comes to Asian countries, Malaysia snatches the 4th place whereas Vietnam sits comfortably at 10th.

The worst places to live as an expat are as follows, in descending order:

• Kuwait has been in last place for the 7th time in 8 years due to its poor quality of life, and the lack of leisure options.
• Expats in Italy are discouraged by its current financial situation.
• South America’s state of local economy translates to low scores for job security, and happiness.

Secure international health insurance today

There are pros and cons to living and working in every country. However, you can maximize your chances of happiness by securing international health insurance. Live worry-free knowing you’ll have access to the best medical treatments at top facilities no matter where you are in the world.

Our friends at Pacific Prime have more than 20 years of experience in the insurance brokers industry. So, they know best when it comes to finding the best plans that balance your needs and budget. Get a free quote now with their online quotation tool! For personalized advice, contact their team of insurance advisors today!