Mexico: The World’s Best Destination for Expats
Mexico, a beloved destination for the globally mobile workforce, was named the world’s best destination for expats just last year in the latest InterNations Expat Insider survey. This annual survey, which will be on its eleven year in 2024, draws on insights from over 12,000 expatriates living in 53 different countries. Expats were asked to evaluate their experiences across various categories, including quality of life, ease of settling in, working abroad, personal finance, and the Expat Essentials Index, which covers key aspects like housing, administration, language, and digital life.
Mexico’s Appeal: Ease of Settling In and Local Friendliness
According to InterNations, Mexico’s top ranking is no surprise, as the country has consistently placed in the top five since the survey’s inception in 2014. A standout feature of Mexico’s appeal is its top performance in the Ease of Settling In Index, where it ranked first in 2023. Expats in Mexico have consistently praised the local friendliness, with 91% of respondents finding the residents to be generally friendly, compared to the global average of 67%. Additionally, 89% of expats feel that the locals are particularly welcoming to foreign residents, well above the global average of 65%.
Social Life and Cost of Living: High Satisfaction Among Expats
The report also highlights that three-quarters of expats in Mexico had no issues making local friends, and a similar proportion expressed satisfaction with the cost of living in the country. This affordability, combined with the warmth and openness of the local population, makes Mexico a highly attractive destination for those seeking to live abroad.
Areas of Concern: Safety and Political Stability
However, the survey does reveal some areas where Mexico falls short. The country ranked 45th for political stability, and 18% of expats reported that they did not feel safe living there—more than double the global average. Despite these concerns, the overall satisfaction of expats in Mexico remains high, solidifying its position as the top destination for expatriates.
Other Top Destinations: Spain and Panama
Following Mexico, Spain and Panama secured the second and third spots, respectively. Spain has consistently ranked in the top ten of the Quality of Life Index, particularly for its leisure options, which expats find highly appealing. Panama, on the other hand, is celebrated for its welcoming environment, although some concerns were raised about job security.
The Worst Destinations: Kuwait, Norway, and Turkey
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Kuwait was ranked as the worst destination for expats in 2023, continuing a trend of poor performance over the past decade. Expats in Kuwait expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of life and leisure options, and nearly half felt they could not openly express their opinions—a figure more than triple the global average. Norway and Turkey also fared poorly, with Norway being criticized for its high cost of living and perceived unfriendliness, while Turkey was noted for long working hours and low job satisfaction.
The InterNations survey underscores Mexico’s enduring appeal to expats, with its strong performance in key areas like ease of settling in, local friendliness, and cost of living. While there are challenges, particularly in terms of safety and political stability, Mexico’s overall attractiveness as an expat destination remains unrivaled. As global mobility continues to evolve, Mexico’s consistent ranking among the top destinations highlights its unique allure for those seeking new experiences abroad.
