The Expat City Ranking 2023, conducted by the international expat community InterNations, offers valuable insights into the best places to live and work based on a variety of factors such as quality of life, employment opportunities, and real estate affordability for foreigners. Additionally, independent analyses of safety indexes, living standards, and healthcare quality help identify the most promising countries for relocation and business ventures.
Prime Destinations for Employment
The Expat Insider survey, facilitated by InterNations in 2023, unveiled the leading cities with favorable work environments based on the answers of more than 12,000 respondents.
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Amsterdam, known for its vibrant job market and career opportunities, is a top choice for professional growth. Its thriving economy, particularly in sectors like IT, finance, advertising, and marketing, attracts numerous expatriates who often work remotely.
Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
Ras Al Khaimah, a northern emirate of the UAE, emerged as a strong contender in the top cities for relocation and work, claiming the 2nd position.
Other noteworthy results include:
- Ranking 3rd in career prospects, and 4th in work culture and job satisfaction.
- The best local business culture recognized by 73% of respondents.
- A hub for freelance opportunities (71% of those surveyed).
Additionally, 81% of respondents reported significant career advancements after relocating to Ras Al Khaimah, with half of expatriates attributing their move to the UAE to better employment opportunities
Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen ranked third in the 2023 Working Abroad Index, with 85% of respondents satisfied with their workplace. Despite a 91% positive view of local economic indicators, only 24% expressed career advancement dissatisfaction.
World’s Best Cities by Quality of Life
The top three cities in the quality of life ranking for expatriates are located in Spain. Each offers distinct advantages:
- Valencia – exceptional healthcare system.
- Malaga – delightful weather and climate.
- Madrid – abundance of cultural and recreational opportunities.
Other cities highly regarded for quality of life include Zurich, Alicante, Abu Dhabi, Barcelona, Vienna, Dubai, and Lisbon. Conversely, Dublin, Rome, and Nairobi rank the lowest.
Expats Perspective: Best and Worst Cities
Based on research from 2023 and 2024, here are the most expat-friendly cities to reside in:
- Malaga, Spain
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Alicante, Spain
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Valencia, Spain
- Budapest, Hungary
- Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
- Prague, Czech Republic
- Madrid, Spain.
Mexico City, Mexico, is known as a welcoming destination for expatriates.
Madrid, Spain, boasts a robust professional network and a vibrant urban environment for life and leisure.
Bangkok, Thailand, famous for its tourist attractions like Phuket Island, also provides the affordable Thai Elite Visa. Before choosing a city or country for business or relocation, thorough research into the local economy, living standards, and legal framework is advised.
Top Living Destinations in 2024: An Unbiased Evaluation
Here are the best countries for relocation according to International Wealth survey of our clients’ experiences. The rankings assessed such key factors as employment, healthcare, living standards, safety, and more.
Cost of Living
We relied mainly on Numbeo’s official website to rank countries based on their cost of living. While Numbeo’s index includes prices for consumer goods, transport, and utilities, it does not encompass rent and housing purchase prices.
America: The regions with the highest living costs in the continent include Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the US Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, Barbados, the USA, Canada, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and Costa Rica. Conversely, the lowest cost of living indices can be found in Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Brazil, Honduras, and Guatemala.
Europe: The most expensive countries in Europe, with high costs of living as of 2024, include Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Jersey, Guernsey, Austria, Ireland, France, and Finland. Conversely, the most affordable countries in Europe in terms of cost of living, based on the 2024 research findings, are Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania.
Asia: Some of the countries with the highest cost of living indices include Singapore, Hong Kong, Israel, South Korea, UAE, Cyprus, Macau, Yemen, Qatar, and Bahrain. Conversely, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Syria, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Uzbekistan, and Indonesia have the lowest indices.
Safety Index
The following countries offer a secure environment for life and work in 2024:
- Andorra: 87.1.
- United Arab Emirates: 84.4.
- Qatar: 84.
- Taiwan: 83.3.
- Oman: 81.
- Isle of Man: 79.5.
- Hong Kong (China): 78.2.
- Armenia: 77.6.
- Japan: 77.4.
- Singapore: 76.5.
Countries including Venezuela, Haiti, and Afghanistan may pose danger to foreigners.
Ranking by Highest Quality of Life in 2024
Numbeo also presented the ranking of the countries with the highest living standards. Here are the top ten entries:
- Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Iceland claim the top three spots, boasting similar indicators.
- Denmark secured fourth place, with a high healthcare index (78) and purchasing power (104.1).
- Finland clinches the fifth position, surpassing Sweden and Norway, known for safety and reasonable property prices.
- Oman ranks sixth, ahead of the USA, Canada, and Australia, due to affordable property prices and strong purchasing power.
- Switzerland holds seventh, offering exceptional healthcare, education, and financial services. It also has low crime rates, stunning landscapes, and tax advantages.
- Norway takes eighth, with a stable economy and efficient education and healthcare.
- Austria secures ninth, known for its strong economy and low crime rates.
- Estonia surprisingly enters the top ten, notable for high safety and healthcare indicators.
Choosing the best country for living and working depends on personal goals. Whether for leisure, permanent residency, business relocation, tax benefits, or climate, Offshore Pro’s experts offer recommendations best suited to individual needs.
Conclusion: Getting Professional Assistance and Support for Successful Relocation
Relocation choices vary based on immigration goals, whether driven by business, spirituality, climate, or security preferences. Considering these factors helps pinpoint a country aligning with your needs. For years, Offshore Pro Group has helped expats in finding ideal cities worldwide for various purposes, ensuring services tailored to legal and financial standards.
