The decision to leave one’s home country and start a new life in a foreign land can be motivated by various reasons. However, not all countries are equally suitable for this endeavor. InterNations, an expat network, conducts an annual survey to determine the best and worst countries for expats. This year, 18,000 expats from 187 countries were surveyed on factors such as quality of life, work situation, finances, and cost of living. The results were used to rank 68 countries based on their suitability for expats.
Bahrain emerged as the best country for expats for the second year in a row, followed by Taiwan, Ecuador, and Mexico. Germany, on the other hand, fell in the rankings and now sits at 36th place, down from 12th in 2014. The study cited cultural differences, language barriers, and unfriendliness as reasons for Germany’s poor performance. In fact, Germany was among the three countries where expats found it hardest to adjust, along with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
The study also revealed that half of all expats found it difficult to adapt to the culture in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom, Greece, Italy, Peru, Egypt, Turkey, Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait were ranked as the worst countries for expats due to poor quality of life and environmental conditions. The study emphasized the importance of cultural adaptation and the challenges that come with it for expats.
Despite Germany’s poor ranking, it did score well in the categories of economy, job security, and education. However, the study highlighted the need for Germany to improve its digital infrastructure and make it easier for expats to make cashless payments. The study also noted that Americans perceive Germany as a socially isolated country, while Canadians criticize its lack of understanding of the benefits of a multicultural society. Overall, the study provides valuable insights for expats looking to start a new life in a foreign land.
