The Best (& Worst) Countries for Living Abroad in 2025 Revealed

Dreaming of a life abroad? Whether you're seeking sun-soaked beaches, a thriving career, or a lower cost of living, your destination choice is everything. A new ranking sheds light on where expats are thriving—and where they're just barely surviving.

The big story this year? Asia is dominating the charts. But it's not the only region making waves. Let's dive into the top and bottom 10 countries for expats in 2025.

The Top 10: Where Expats Are Thriving

The leaderboard for 2025 features some familiar favourites and a couple of exciting new entries. The top 10 are:

1. Panama

2. Colombia

3. Mexico

4. Thailand

5. Vietnam

6. China

7. UAE

8. Indonesia

9. Spain

10. Malaysia

Asia Takes the Spotlight

Lists of the best and worst countries for expats

A major trend is the rise of Asian destinations. With two new entries—China (6th) and Malaysia (10th)—joining Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, Asian countries now make up half of the top 10.

What’s the secret to their success? Money matters. Expats in all five of these Asian nations report high satisfaction with their personal finances, with all ranking in the top 10 for that index. Another huge plus? Housing is both affordable and easy to find. From a culinary perspective, expats are spoilt for choice, with all five countries ranking in the top 10 for food and dining options.

The one area of variation is Quality of Life, which ranges from China's respectable 6th place to Indonesia's 40th. But overall, happiness is high, with all but Malaysia (15th) ranking in the global top 10 for life satisfaction.

Latin American Warmth Wins Hearts

Claiming the coveted top three spots, Panama, Colombia, and Mexico have one thing in common: an incredibly warm and welcoming culture. They excel in the Ease of Settling In Index, with nearly all subcategories ranking in the top 5. This friendly vibe translates into a vibrant social life. These countries are also hotspots for retirees, with over 25% of expats there saying they are already retired (compared to a global average of 11%).

The Standout Performers: UAE & Spain

Geographically unique in the top 10, the UAE and Spain are powerhouses in Quality of Life, taking the #1 and #2 spots globally. However, they begin to diverge from there. The UAE is a champion for Expat Essentials (1st) like admin and digital life, and scores well for Working Abroad (5th). Spain, in contrast, struggles in these areas (23rd and 27th, respectively).

The trade-off? Expats in the UAE are less happy with their disposable income than those in Spain, and overall, expats in Spain (4th) report higher levels of happiness than those in the UAE (17th).

The Bottom 10: Where Expats Face Challenges

On the other end of the spectrum, the bottom 10 list highlights the countries where expats are struggling to settle. This year, Sweden and South Korea are the new entrants, with South Korea taking a dramatic 21-place tumble to 44th place.

The bottom 10 are:

1. Italy

2. Sweden

3. Norway

4. Canada

5. United Kingdom

6. Germany

7. Finland

8. South Korea

9. Türkiye

10. Kuwait

The European Struggle

More than half of the bottom 10 are European nations. Except for Italy, expats in these countries rank their happiness in the bottom 10 globally. The reasons for dissatisfaction vary:

· The Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Finland) offer a fantastic environment and climate, but expats find it very difficult to settle in and feel unwelcome.

· In Italy and Germany, expats grapple with poor Digital Life and frustrating Admin Topics.

· The United Kingdom’s biggest struggles are financial, ranking poorly for Personal Finance (45th), as well as for the high cost of housing and healthcare.

The Bottom Three: A Tough Work Culture

South Korea, Türkiye, and Kuwait occupy the final three spots. The common thread? Expats unanimously find working in these countries tough, with all three ranking in the bottom 10 for the Working Abroad Index—and in the absolute bottom 3 for Work Culture & Satisfaction.

Canada's Cost of Living Crisis

For the second year running, Canada (40th) finds itself in the bottom 10. The primary complaint? The high cost of living. Expats report struggling with the costs of housing, general living expenses, and even public transportation, making the dream of settling in Canada an expensive reality.

The Takeaway

This year's rankings highlight that the "perfect" expat destination doesn't exist—it's about what you prioritize. If your focus is on finances, a welcoming community, and a vibrant social life, Latin America and Asia are clear winners. If quality of life is your non-negotiable, Spain and the UAE lead the pack, but with significant trade-offs in other areas.

Ultimately, this list is a starting point. The best country for you will depend on your career, lifestyle, and what you value most in your life abroad.

Source: Internations Expat Insider survey, via Relocate Magazine.