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Where is the best place to live as an expat in 2025? Panama tops the list, and the US doesn't even appear.By Estefanía Muriel for Ruta Pantera on 10/15/2025 10:43:02 AM |
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| Where is the best place to live as an expat in 2025? Panama tops the list, and the US doesn't even appear. Moving abroad can be an adventure that redefines what it means to feel "at home." It's not just a change of scenery, but also a change of quality of life, job security, costs, culture... and InterNations' recent Expat Insider 2025 survey reveals where expats are finding just that. Surprisingly, the United States, a classic destination, doesn't even appear in the top twenty. Current landscape: What expats value now By 2025, expats will place more emphasis than ever on their wallets, their health, and the ease of integration. According to the survey, more than 10,000 people of 172 nationalities participated, evaluating 46 countries in five categories: working abroad, personal finances, quality of life, the basics of living abroad (visas, housing, utilities), and ease of adaptation (new friends, cultural barriers). ( Travel + Leisure ) One of the most striking findings: "Latin American and Asian countries are consolidating their leadership positions," said Katrin Chudoba, Marketing Director of InterNations. "Expats increasingly value personal finances" as a decisive criterion. ( ForumDaily ) The countries that made a difference Topping the list is Panama , once again number one; Colombia and Mexico follow closely behind. ( InterNations ) These countries stand out for their combination of affordable housing, a good cost of living, welcoming cultures, and opportunities for those seeking quality over glamour. For example, in Colombia, 81% of expats say they are satisfied with their financial situation and believe their disposable income allows them to live comfortably. ( InterNations ) In Mexico, the ease of settling in, making local friends, and feeling welcome get very high marks; people appreciate the climate, fresh food, and more relaxed lifestyle. ( InterNations ) Other countries in the top 10: Thailand , Vietnam , China , the United Arab Emirates , Indonesia , Spain , and Malaysia . Spain is the only European nation to achieve this recognition in the top 10. ( Travel + Leisure ) | ||||
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And the United States? It's lagging behind. Perhaps most shocking is that the United States didn't even make the top 20 in the survey. ( CNBC ) According to the data, it fell in every category assessed: accessibility, equality of opportunity, quality of services, healthcare, political stability, and freedom of expression received comparatively harsher reviews. ( ForumDaily ) Keys behind the ranking: what weighed most Scenic beauty or good food aren't enough; today's expats are looking for: ● Affordable and easy-to-find housing : The top countries have performed best in this regard. ( InterNations ) ● Good work-life balance : schedules, stress, job security, real opportunities. ● Reasonable cost of living : Money goes further, especially for those who don't have high local incomes. ● Accessible public services and healthcare : medical care, transportation, procedures, and less complicated bureaucracy. ● Welcoming culture, community, ease of adaptation : feeling part of the community, making friends, less of a language barrier. Latin American and Asian countries are benefiting because they have managed to combine good infrastructure with lower costs, cultural openness, pleasant climates, and less pressure on personal finances. Reflection: What does it mean to “live well”? What this survey reveals is that for many expats, “living well” no longer means earning the highest salary or living in a major Western city, but rather finding a place where money doesn't evaporate, where one feels safe, connected, with good job and cultural opportunities, and with the peace of mind of health and functioning services. Is this a sign that global migration paradigms are shifting? Absolutely. And for the tourism and travel industry, for those who advise expatriates or design accommodation, education, or healthcare products, these changes mark a key opportunity to rethink priorities. | |||
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