Millions of people pack up their lives every year hoping to land somewhere sunnier, cheaper, or simply more alive. It is a bold move, and honestly, a deeply human one. Some find exactly what they were looking for. Others realize, a little too late, that the dream and the reality are very different animals.
The number of people living outside their country of birth reached roughly 300 to 304 million in mid-2024, representing about 3.6 to 3.7 percent of the world’s total population. That is a staggering number of humans who decided somewhere else was better. The InterNations Expat Insider 2025 survey surveyed over 10,000 expats across 46 destinations, ranking them based on five categories: working abroad, personal finance, quality of life, expat essentials, and ease of settling in. The results are surprising, inspiring, and in some cases, a genuine cautionary tale. Let’s dive in.
1. Panama: The Undisputed Champion for Expats
If there is one country that keeps showing up at the top of every serious expat survey, it is Panama. For the second consecutive year, Panama ranked as the best country for expats. According to the survey, 94 percent of expats are happy with their life abroad, and Panama was found to be a particularly strong destination for retirees, with 35 percent of respondents already retired and 18 percent saying retirement was their primary motivation for moving.
The ease of finding affordable housing makes Panama especially attractive, with roughly 71 percent of expats reporting a positive experience compared to 34 percent globally. Ample opportunities to travel, eat great cuisine, and enjoy a pleasant climate are among the reasons Panama is such a great home base for foreigners abroad.
Panama has long been known as an affordable destination. For about $800 to $1,500 per month, you can live comfortably in small towns and farming communities. Those looking to live in Panama City will require a higher monthly budget of up to $2,500. That is still a bargain compared to most Western cities. Honestly, it is hard to argue with those numbers.
2. Colombia: The Surprise That Keeps on Giving
Colombia was once a name people whispered with caution. Today it is one of the hottest expat destinations on the planet. Climbing from fifth place in 2024 to second best country for expats in 2025, the survey found that 81 percent of respondents are satisfied with their financial situation in Colombia. The country also ranked highly in the quality of life index, with 92 percent of respondents stating that their disposable household income is sufficient to lead a comfortable life.
For Colombia, 36 percent of expats said they wanted to stay forever, and another 47 percent said they have no clear plans of leaving the country. That is a remarkable statistic. Think about it: more than four out of five people who moved there have no intention of going back. Colombia also ranks high for its warm, welcoming culture and the friendliness of locals, not to mention it has plenty of things to do and a good healthcare system.
3. Mexico: The Perennial Favourite With a Caveat
Mexico has been a top-five expat destination in the InterNations survey essentially since the survey began. Mexico is the number one expat destination for happiness, with roughly 90 percent of expats satisfied with their quality of life. That kind of consistency is not a coincidence. The welcoming nature of the Mexican people is evident, with 86 percent of expats praising the general friendliness compared to 63 percent globally, and 85 percent feeling welcomed compared to 63 percent globally.
Financially, Mexico is attractive, with roughly 62 percent of expats rating the cost of living favorably compared to 40 percent globally, and 71 percent satisfied with their financial situation compared to 54 percent globally. Here is the thing, though. While Mexico ranks number one overall, it actually ranked 26th out of 53 on the quality of life index, mostly due to low ratings in the subcategories of safety and security and environment and climate. It is paradise with fine print, essentially.
4. Spain: Europe’s Crown Jewel for Expat Living
Spain is the only European country to crack the top ten in the 2025 InterNations survey, and it has earned that spot. The country ranked number one for quality of life and fourth for overall happiness level, with 84 percent of expats in Spain saying they’re happy there, compared to 67 percent globally. Those are genuinely impressive numbers for a Western European country.
Spain ranked first for good weather, culture, and nightlife, as well as recreational sports opportunities, and the country has an affordable, accessible, and high-quality healthcare system. It is also easy to get around thanks to good public transportation infrastructure. Madrid and Barcelona are among the top ten most livable cities in Europe according to recent city rankings. Spain is the only European country to land a spot in the top 10 best countries for expats list. That alone should tell you something.
5. The UAE: High Glamour, High Cost, High Reward
The United Arab Emirates is a bit of a paradox. It tops charts for quality of life infrastructure but simultaneously leaves expats feeling the pinch in their wallets. The United Arab Emirates ranked at number 7 in the 2025 survey, due to impressive ratings on quality of life despite the high cost of living, great leisure options, ease of settling in, expat essentials, and quality accessible healthcare.
The UAE outshines most countries in terms of quality of life, career prospects, and personal safety. It is also an absolute leader in expat essentials, with roughly 80 percent of respondents noting that it is not necessary to learn Arabic to live in the country. That is a huge deal for anyone nervous about language barriers. It is not all smooth sailing though, as expats are unsatisfied with their disposable household income and rank their happiness with life abroad lower than expats in Spain. Think of it as living in a luxury hotel: spectacular, but you are always aware of what it costs.
6. Kuwait: Dead Last, Year After Year
Let’s shift gears. Kuwait has the unenviable distinction of finishing at the bottom of the InterNations expat ranking. Not just in 2025, but repeatedly. For the seventh year in a row, Kuwait ranks at the bottom of the quality of life index. Only about 53 percent of expats rate the affordability of public transportation positively, significantly below the global average of 70 percent. The harsh weather ranking last for climate and an unappealing natural environment contribute to this poor rating. Additionally, healthcare is a significant issue, ranking 51st overall.
Kuwait ranks poorly for its climate and weather, where in summer temperatures can reach above 50 degrees Celsius, and only 22 percent of expats are happy with their social life there. Just pause on that. Nearly four out of five expats are unhappy with their social life. Kuwait also ranks last in friendliness towards locals, with only 22 percent satisfied with their social life, and despite the fact that 57 percent of expats have lived there for more than five years, most people mainly communicate with other expats. They stay, but they do not exactly thrive.
7. Turkey: The Country That Looks Great on Paper
Turkey is one of those places that seduces you with its beauty and history, then gradually reveals a more complicated reality. Turkey ranks among the worst places for expats. InterNations rates the country last regarding working abroad due to limited career opportunities, a lack of job security, and unfavorable working hours. The language barrier is another significant issue, as Turkish is considered a moderately difficult language to learn.
The political situation in Turkey is something many expats keep an eye on, and Turkey ranks 52nd for safety and security out of the 53 countries included in the Expat Insider 2024 survey. That is a striking finding. Traffic in the bigger cities, especially Istanbul, is a real frustration for locals and expats alike, where a journey that would take 20 minutes without traffic could take three hours at peak times. On the positive side, rent is relatively low, but the structural challenges make long-term satisfaction very difficult.
8. Norway: The Country That Looks Wrong on Paper But Isn’t
Norway sounds wonderful in theory. Stunning fjords. Excellent public services. High salaries. I know it sounds crazy, but Norway consistently lands near the very bottom of expat happiness rankings. Norway ranks 52nd in the ease of settlement index. Language barriers and fear of isolation were common problems before moving. Once in Norway, less than half of expats feel at home, and 40 percent find the locals unfriendly. The country ranks 52nd for cultural integration.
The quality of life in Norway is top-notch, with a strong work-life balance and excellent digital services. Renting a one-bedroom apartment is expensive, averaging around $1,082 a month. Norway also ranks poorly in terms of ease of settling in, largely because of its cold climate, which can make it difficult for expats to adjust. It is a bit like being handed a beautiful gift that nobody will help you unwrap. Technically wonderful, but deeply lonely for many who go there.
9. Canada: The Great Disappointment
Canada is the one that shocks people the most. The brand is impeccable. Multicultural. Safe. Welcoming. But the data from recent surveys tells a very different story. 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.
While Canada is known for its diversity, multicultural environment, and excellent healthcare system, many expats report issues with work hours, job security, and a tough job market. The cost of living in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver is also generally high, with rent for a one-bedroom apartment averaging about $1,185 per month. Canada features in the bottom 10 for the second year in a row. One major gripe of expats there? Finances. Whether it is costs of public transportation, housing, or living, settling in Canada is expensive. It is a tough pill to swallow for anyone who moved there chasing the Canadian dream.
