A country in Central America has been recognized as one of the most welcoming spots for expats looking to relocate, with various locations across the Americas also receiving high marks from individuals who have settled elsewhere.
Over 12,500 expatriates worldwide participated in a survey conducted by an online expat community. InterNations , offering insights into life and work overseas.
With individuals from 175 different nationalities residing across 174 countries or regions worldwide, these expatriates evaluated various aspects such as overall quality of life, work experiences overseas, and ease of adapting to their new environments when they determined which places were the most favorable and least favorable.
The latter — ease of settling in — comprised three categories: what it was like to find friends To what degree did the locals feel welcoming? This includes assessing how easily one could immerse themselves in the local culture as well as gauging the friendliness of the people living there.
In the 2024 survey, a total of 53 destinations satisfied the requirement of having at least 50 respondents, which allowed them to be included in the index.
Out of the 53 countries, one emerged as the clear victor in the Ease of Settling In Index. Costa Rica , which performed exceptionally well across all metrics.
Participants discovered that the nation was exceptionally hospitable, with 88 percent concurring – this figure stands 25 percentage points above the global average for welcoming attitudes.
Others mentioned that adapting to the local culture was relatively simple, with more than a third (35 percent) concurring with this view, as opposed to the global average of 21 percent.
The category of friendliness set Costa Rica apart, where 90 percent of those surveyed noted that the locals were generally welcoming not only to foreigners but also to foreign residents.
A Canadian expatriate mentioned: "The residents are typically kind and pleasant individuals. Over time, you acclimate to the ' Pura Vida "Life in Costa Rica”
In second place is Mexico a nation that has remained within the top three for ease of settlement since the initial year of the survey in 2014.
More than 80% of expatriates reported feeling welcomed in the country and concurred that local people are amiable toward foreign inhabitants.
The participants likewise rated it as the simplest nation globally for assimilating into the local culture, along with 73 percent expressing satisfaction with their social life in Mexico.
Stepping outside of the Americas, the bronze prize was awarded to the Philippines , where it also placed the previous year.
Expat residents consider the country quite hospitable, as 85 percent agree on this sentiment, and 78 percent also express feeling like they belong.
A British person living abroad mentioned that they "enjoy the unrestricted and relaxed way of life here. Everyone seems approachable and ready for a conversation."
In Mexico, 31 percent of expatriates report that their circle of friends predominantly comprises locals, whereas this figure increases to 41 percent in the Philippines—significantly above the global average of 17 percent.
The survey highlighted the nations where expatriates found it challenging to integrate. Among the 53 countries listed, Kuwait fared worst overall; only about one-quarter (26 percent) of respondents reported feeling welcomed there. Additionally, the nation scored lowest for local friendliness.
In 52nd place is Norway , where expatriates mention it's challenging to form friendships with locals (67 percent), Germany placed at number 51 because 32 percent of expatriates feel unwelcomed and find the local culture somewhat difficult to adapt to.
Among the top 10, half are located in the Americas: Brazil (5th), Panama (7th), and Colombia (8th) join Costa Rica (1st) and Mexico (2nd).
At the same time, nine out of the ten lowest-ranked nations in the index are located in Europe.
Top 10 nations where settling in becomes seamless
- Costa Rica
- Mexico
- Philippines
- Indonesia
- Brazil
- Thailand
- Panama
- Colombia
- Kenya
- Greece
To stay updated with additional travel news and tips, tune into Simon Calder’s podcast.
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