The Internations “Expat Insider” survey, which gathered responses from more than 12,000 expatriates worldwide, ranked the countries where expats feel happiest with work‑life balance, cost of living, medical care and overall quality of life. The results challenge the assumption that traditional Western hubs dominate expatriate satisfaction and highlight several emerging destinations that combine affordability, good healthcare and a welcoming social environment.
Survey scope
- Sample size: >12,000 expats living abroad during the past year.
- Key dimensions measured: quality of life, career prospects, ease of settling, cost of living, medical care, ease of making friends, and overall life satisfaction.
- Context: The data were collected after the COVID‑19 pandemic, reflecting how local pandemic responses affected expatriate experiences.
Top 10 happiest expat destinations
| Rank | Country | Notable satisfaction scores* |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taiwan (Taipei) | Highest overall scores across quality of life, career prospects, ease of settling and general life satisfaction. |
| 2 | Mexico | 72 % happy with work‑life balance; 79 % happy with cost of living; 77 % find it easy to make new friends; 89 % happy with life in general. |
| 3 | Costa Rica | 55 % happy with cost of living; 83 % happy with medical care; 65 % find it easy to make friends; 88 % happy with life in general. |
| 4 | Malaysia | 82 % happy with cost of living; 82 % happy with medical care; 66 % find it easy to make friends; 85 % happy with life in general. |
| 5 | Portugal | 84 % happy with life in general. |
| 6 | New Zealand | No specific percentages reported, but ranked among the top ten. |
| 7 | Australia | No specific percentages reported, but ranked among the top ten. |
| 8 | Ecuador | 88 % happy with life in general; 73 % happy with medical care; 68 % find it easy to make friends (higher than Australia and New Zealand, whose friend‑making score was 54 %). |
| 9 | Canada | No specific percentages reported, but placed in the top ten. |
| 10 | Vietnam | No specific percentages reported, but placed in the top ten. |
*Only the percentages explicitly mentioned in the survey report are listed.
How the rankings compare with the United States
The United States did not appear in the top ten. Mexico, at rank 2, outperformed the U.S. in overall life‑satisfaction scores, indicating that many expatriates perceive a better balance of cost, social integration and quality of life south of the border.
Observations on traditional expat hubs
Surveys produced by large financial institutions often highlight cities such as Vienna, London, Auckland and Sydney, which tend to dominate “best city” lists. The Internations data, however, give weight to emerging locations where lower living costs and strong community support boost expatriate happiness.
Practical considerations for prospective expatriates
- Cost of living: Mexico, Malaysia and Costa Rica all scored above 70 % for affordability, making them attractive for entrepreneurs and remote workers seeking to stretch their income.
- Healthcare: High satisfaction rates (≥ 82 %) in Taiwan, Malaysia, Costa Rica and Ecuador suggest reliable, reasonably priced medical services.
- Social integration: Ease of making friends was a notable differentiator; Mexico (77 %) and Ecuador (68 %) performed well, while New Zealand and Australia lagged (54 %).
- Tax environment: Several of the top‑ranked countries—particularly Malaysia and Portugal—offer favorable tax regimes for foreign investors and digital nomads, though specific rates vary by residency status and income source.
- Visa pathways: Some destinations (e.g., New Zealand) provide high‑value investor visas, but these are geared toward applicants with substantial capital. Lower‑cost options exist in Mexico and Costa Rica for retirees or remote workers.
Caveats
- The survey reflects the experiences of expatriates who chose to move abroad; it may not capture the perspectives of those who remain in their home country.
- Percentages are self‑reported satisfaction scores and do not equate to objective measures of cost or healthcare quality.
- Local regulations, tax laws and visa requirements can change; prospective movers should verify current policies before relocating.
Bottom line: According to the Internations “Expat Insider” survey, Taiwan leads the world in expatriate happiness, while Mexico, Costa Rica, Malaysia and Portugal also deliver strong work‑life balance, affordable living and good healthcare. These findings suggest that many high‑earning remote workers and investors can improve both lifestyle and financial outcomes by considering these emerging destinations over traditional Western hubs.
