Another excellent element is the ease with which you can settle in Index (7th). Expats feel at ease (73%), welcomed (81%), and find it simple to adjust to local culture (74%). A pleasant populace promotes social integration, with 41% of expats
finding the locals to be very hospitable.
Mexico (2nd): Consistently delightful
Mexico continues to entice expats, with 89% reporting happiness, well above the global average. It is ranked second in the Ease of Settling In Index, with high ratings for friendliness (86%) and feeling welcome (85%).
Cultural assimilation is effortless (1st), and meeting local friends (2nd) is simple, so 77% of expats feel at home. Housing is affordable (10th) and accessible (12th), and visa applications are simple (5th). Despite certain bureaucratic hurdles,
financial happiness is high, with 62% appreciating the local cost of living and 71% content with their financial condition.
Mexico's eighth-place ranking in the Working Abroad Index reflects increases in job market perception (8th) and personal career chances (5th). Expats respect work-life balance, with 43% reporting perfect satisfaction. However, safety concerns
remain, with only 66% feeling safe, resulting in a modest 25th rank in the Quality of Life Index.
Indonesia (3rd): A resilient return
Indonesia recovers from 13th place in 2023 to take third place in 2024. The country's low living costs (4th), friendly population (2nd), and outstanding work-life balance (1st) all contribute to 84% of expats' satisfaction with life.
Working Abroad Index improvements are significant, with Indonesia rising to ninth place. Expats express excellent job satisfaction (1st) and a positive work-life balance (79%). The average weekly work hours are 38.8, which is much lower than the
global average of 42.5.
Indonesia ranks third on the Personal Finance Index, with 86% believing their disposable income is sufficient for a pleasant existence. Housing affordability (64%) and accessibility (61%) are strengths, but digital life (46th) and quality of life
(44th) require development. Healthcare quality ranks 48th, followed by air quality (45th) and travel infrastructure (49th). Despite these challenges, expats report feeling at home (3rd) and welcomed (85%).
Kuwait (53rd): Persistently challenging
Kuwait comes bottom for the seventh year in a row, with expats evaluating its quality of living, ease of settling in, and opportunities to work abroad as inadequate. Only 53% believe public transport is affordable, and climate issues persist (53rd).
Healthcare ranks 51st, and social integration is challenging; only 28% have a personal support system.
Financial contentment is low (44th percentile), yet housing is quite easy to find (46%). Bureaucratic issues and long working hours (47.8 hours) lead to unhappiness, with only 43% satisfied with their work schedule. Despite a positive outlook
on the economy (11th), job satisfaction and workplace flexibility remain low.
Turkey (52nd): Struggles in professional aspects
Turkey ranks 52nd, with major problems when working abroad (53rd). Many expats complain about poor career possibilities, local job market challenges, and discontent with work culture and job security. The bureaucratic atmosphere creates further
barriers, and expats feel limited in their ability to express themselves.
Despite improvements in the environment and healthcare, personal financial discontent (45th) and difficulty settling in (40th) remain. Expats struggle to integrate socially and professionally, which reduces their overall pleasure.
Finland (51st): A sharp decline
Finland has fallen dramatically from 16th in 2023 to 51st in 2024. Despite ranking eighth in environmental quality and sixth in digital life, expats report severe financial unhappiness (52nd) and difficulty adjusting in (50th). The healthcare
system has also suffered a downturn, with availability issues.
Language difficulties and a competitive labour market exacerbate daily living, and overall job satisfaction has declined. Despite a favourable outlook on the economy, expats believe their professional opportunities have not improved.
Winners and losers in 2024
Biggest winners
- South Korea ranks 23rd, up from 50th in 2023. Improvements in personal finance (15th), quality of life (10th), and working overseas (37th) contributed to this improvement.
- Belgium ranks 18th in terms of quality of living, with increased public transport and job satisfaction, up from 3rd in working abroad.
Biggest losers
- Finland (51st) fell from 16th to 51st due to financial issues and difficulties settling in.
- Bahrain (33rd) has dropped from 9th to 33rd place, with major reductions in working abroad (41st) and personal finance (46th).
- Canada dropped from 27th to 49th due to discontent with employment conditions, economic outlook, and personal finances (now ranked 53rd).