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Living Abroad

The (Un)Friendliest Countries For Expats in 2023

Mexico is the most welcoming destination for expats, Kuwait the least, according to an Expat Insider survey.

In its 10th year, the annual Expat Insider survey by global expat network InterNations shines a light on the countries that make settling in easy — and those that don’t.

A warm welcome in Mexico

For the fifth year in a row, Mexico ranks 1st in the Ease of Settling In Index.

It’s been regularly found in the top 3 since 2014. Expats in Mexico very much feel at home (82% vs. 62% globally) and feel welcome there (89% vs. 67%). And over nine in ten (91%) rate the general friendliness of the local residents positively (vs. 67% globally).

Almost three-quarters (74%) are happy with their social life (vs. 56% globally). The same share (74%) say that making local friends is easy in Mexico (vs. 43% globally). In fact, they are less likely to be friends with just other expats: 31% say that their friends are mostly local residents, which is almost double the global average (17%).

Finding friends a breeze in Brazil

Brazil ranks 2nd in the Ease of Settling In Index in 2023.

The country even beats Mexico when it comes to people being friendly towards foreign residents (1st) and the ease of making local friends (1st). In fact, around three-quarters of expats say finding friends is easy (73% vs. 43% globally) and are happy with their social life (71% vs. 56% globally).

Brazil also ranks 4th in the Culture & Welcome Subcategory, with 88% feeling welcome there, compared to 67% globally. According to 77%, it is also easy to get used to the local culture (vs. 62% globally).

Good news for the higher-than-average share who plan to stay possibly forever (47% vs. 35% globally).

Friendly people in the Philippines

The Philippines rounds out the top 3 of the Ease of Settling In Index in 2023, defending its position of the previous year.

It also ranks 3rd in the Local Friendliness and Culture & Welcome Subcategories and comes in 5th for Finding Friends. In fact, 44% share that their friends are mainly locals (vs. 17% globally).

Nearly nine in ten expats (86%) rate the general friendliness of the local residents positively, close to 20 percentage points more than the global average of 67%. It’s hardly surprising then that feel at home (79% vs. 62% globally) and welcome (88% vs. 67%) in the Philippines. “What I like best about life in the Philippines are the friendly people and the relaxed lifestyle,” says a US American expat.

Kuwait, no home away from home

Kuwait is the worst country worldwide when it comes to the ease of settling in, ranking 53rd out of 53 places.

It can consistently be found at the bottom of this index, from the first year of the survey in 2014 to today. It ranks in the bottom 3 for all the underlying subcategories — the worst result a last place for Culture & Welcome (53rd). More than twice the global average don’t feel welcome in Kuwait (35% vs. 15% globally), and over a third of expats (36%) find it difficult to get used to the local culture (vs. 18% globally).

Expats struggle to make local friends (just 23% happy vs. 43% globally) and don’t have a personal support network (32% unhappy vs. 24% globally). In fact, they are mostly friends with other expats (58% vs. 33% globally).

Few friendly greetings in Austria

Austria — ranking 52nd out of 53 in this index — is the worst destination worldwide in the Local Friendliness Subcategory (53rd). Only a third of expats in Austria (33%) agree that the people there are friendly towards foreign residents (vs. 65% globally). Close to a quarter (24%) even disagree completely (vs. 6% globally).

The country also joins Kuwait in the bottom 3 for most other subcategories. A third (33%) also don’t feel welcome in Austria, more than double the global average of 15%. And a similar share (32%) find it difficult to get used to the Austrian culture (vs. 18% globally). Expats also struggle with making friends (51% vs. 29% globally), the language barrier (38% vs. 22% globally), and not having enough socializing opportunities (27% vs. 25% globally).

Sticking to the expat bubble in Denmark

Denmark has never performed well in the Ease of Settling In Index and even ranks last for the Finding Friends Subcategory (53rd) in 2023.Only two in five expats (40%) are happy with their social life (vs. 56% globally). Expats are very likely to be friends mostly just with other expats (52% vs. 33% globally). This is hardly surprising, seeing as close to two-thirds (66%) disagree that it is easy to make Danish friends — which is 30 percentage points more than the global average (36%).Less than half (47%) find that the Danish are friendly towards foreign residents (vs. 65% globally). Similarly, just 53% view the general friendliness of the local residents positively (vs. 67% globally). This might be one reason why expats there are less likely to feel at home in Denmark (51% vs. 62% globally). Close to three in ten (29%) don’t even feel welcome there (vs. 15% globally).Find out how your country did in the Expat Insider 2023 report.

Infography showing the best and worst places to live in 2023
Living Abroad

The Best Destinations For Expats In 2023

Find out the best and worst destinations worldwide for expats, according to the latest Expat Insider survey.

Global expat community InterNations conducts one of the biggest annual surveys on life abroad, Expat Insider. In 2023, close to 12,000 expats representing 171 nationalities took part. Covering key areas such as working abroad, the ease of settling in, quality of life, personal finances, and expat essentials, the findings are a must-read for anyone interested in living abroad.Sunny & Spanish-

Speaking: Common Themes in the Top 3

Mexico Is #1 — Again.

Mexico’s top performance is unsurprising, as the country has always ranked in the top 5 since the first Expat Insider survey was conducted in 2014.

And for the last ten years, Mexico has also consistently ranked among the best in the Ease of Settling In Index — even placing 1st out of 53 global destinations in 2023. For instance, Mexico performs well when it comes to the friendliness of locals: most find the local residents to be friendly in general (91% vs. 67% globally) and towards foreign residents in particular (89% vs. 65% globally).

But the positive outcomes don’t end there. The Expat Essentials Index is all about the basics of living in a country. Here, Mexico ranks 12th. Housing (6th) is a particular highlight, as expats say that accommodation in Mexico is not only easy to find, but also affordable (7th for both). Affordability is a general trend in Mexico. It ranks 2nd in the Personal Finance Index. And 71% of expats are happy with the general cost of living, compared to only 44% globally. Overall, 80% are satisfied with their financial situation (vs. 58% globally).

However, the Quality of Life Index (26th) reveals rather mixed results. On the negative side, Mexico only ranks 45th for political stability, and 18% of expats do not feel safe there, more than double the global average (8%). On the positive side, the country’s Leisure Options (2nd) are among the best worldwide.

Overall, 90% of expats are happy with their life in Mexico, compared to 72% globally.

Want to Feel at Home Quickly? Try Living in Spain.

Spain is the 2nd best-ranked country for living abroad in 2023.

Since the first Expat Insider survey in 2014, Spain has always ranked in the top 10 of the Quality of Life Index. For example, the country has consistently featured among the best worldwide for its Leisure Options, placing 1st again in 2023. The majority of expats (88%) is happy with the culture and nightlife in Spain, compared to 68% globally. Additionally, over nine in ten (91%) are happy with their opportunities for recreational sports (vs. 75% globally). Luckily, Spain’s climate and weather (3rd) makes it easier for expats to get out and enjoy these activities.

However, Spain performs worst in the Working Abroad Index (34th). Less than half the expats (49%) agree that moving there has improved their career prospects (vs. 59% globally), and 36% are unhappy with the local job market (vs. 26% globally). On the positive side, the country ranks 10th in the Work & Leisure Subcategory, largely due to expats’ satisfaction with their work-life balance (73% happy vs. 63% globally).

Finances do not appear to pose many problems for expats in Spain. It ranks 13th in the Personal Finance Index, and more than two in three expats (69%) are happy with the general cost of living, compared to only 44% globally. Similarly, in the Expat Essentials Index (16th), Spain comes in 13th place (out of 53) for the affordability of housing. Overall, 87% of expats are happy with their life in Spain, compared to 72% globally.

Expat Life Is a Breeze in Panama

Panama rounds out the top expat destinations of 2023, coming in 3rd.

Expats are especially happy with the Ease of Settling In (4th). The country ranks among the top 3 in both the Finding Friends (1st) and Culture & Welcome (2nd) Subcategories. Most expats (82%) have a personal support network (vs. 58% globally) and face few difficulties finding local friends (74% vs. 43% globally). They also feel at home (81% vs. 62% globally) and welcome (84% vs. 67% globally) in Panama.

Despite the country’s average performance in the Quality of Life Index (28th), expats really like its climate and weather (11th) and air quality (10th). Panama performs worst in the Working Abroad Index (30th), ending up in the bottom 10 of the Career Prospects Subcategory (45th). The local job market (47th) and lack of job security (45th) are particular lowlights. However, the country does well when it comes to Work & Leisure (11th).

Panama also does very well in the Personal Finance Index (8th) — 80% of expats are happy with their financial situation (vs. 58% globally). The Expat Essentials Index (7th) is another highlight. Despite difficulties with opening a bank account (47th), expats say it is easy to find (83% happy vs. 49% globally) and afford (65% vs. 38% globally) housing. Overall, 81% of expats are satisfied with their life in Panama, compared to 72% globally.

Other countries in the top 10 include Malaysia (4th), Taiwan (5th), Thailand (6th), Costa Rica (7th), the Philippines (8th), Bahrain (9th) and Portugal (10th).

The Lowest-Ranking Places to Live Abroad

Last Overall: Kuwait

Kuwait ranks last out of 53 destinations in 2023, following a trend of very poor performances across the past 10 years of the survey. Only 43% of expats are happy with their life in Kuwait, compared to 72% globally.

The country ranks last globally for Quality of Life (53rd). Expats are especially dissatisfied with their Leisure Options (53rd). And about half (49%) feel like they cannot openly express themselves and their opinions, more than triple the global average (15%). The availability (47th), affordability (45th), and quality (46th) of healthcare also leave a lot to be desired.

Bottom 3 rankings in the Local Friendliness (52nd), Finding Friends (51st), and Culture & Welcome (53rd) Subcategories lead to a last place in the Ease of Settling In Index (53rd). More than one in three expats (36%) find it hard to get used to the local culture (vs. 18% globally), and only 37% are happy with their social life in Kuwait, compared to 56% globally. Kuwait does not escape the bottom 10 in the Working Abroad Index either (48th). Three in ten (30%) feel that they are not paid fairly for their job (vs. 19% globally), and 45% say the local work culture does not support flexibility (vs. 18% globally).

Norway Is Unfriendly and Expensive

Norway places second to last in 2023, and its poor performance starts with finances. It ranks 52nd in the Personal Finance Index: more than three in five expats (62%) rate the local cost of living negatively, compared to 35% globally. What is more, 37% say that their disposable household income is not enough to lead a comfortable life (vs. 27% globally).

The country also does not do well in the Ease of Settling In Index (48th). Close to a third of expats (32%) describe the locals as unfriendly towards foreign residents, compared to 18% globally. They also find it hard to make local friends (51% unhappy vs. 36% globally) and are unhappy with their social life (38% vs. 25% globally). Overall, 37% do not feel at home in Norway (vs. 20% globally).

Norway struggles in the Quality of Life Index (31st), too. This is mainly due to expats being unhappy with the affordability of public transportation (29% vs. 15% globally) and the opportunity to travel (14% vs. 6% globally). Additionally, it ranks last worldwide for the culinary variety and dining options (53rd) and 51st for culture and nightlife. On the plus side, expats in Norway value the political stability (88% happy vs. 63% globally), the high air quality (88% vs. 66% globally), and the natural environment (95% vs. 84% globally).

Lastly, the Working Abroad Index (18th) is Norway’s strongest area. Expats in Norway appreciate the high job security (1st) and the state of the economy (9th), but they are unhappy with their personal career opportunities (48th).

Not a Favorite among Expats: Türkiye

Türkiye comes in 51st place. Here, 60% of expats are happy with their life abroad (compared to 72% globally).

Türkiye ranks last worldwide in the Working Abroad Index (53rd): 30% of expats are unhappy with their working hours, about twice the global average (16%). Expats do not feel much better about their job security and their personal career opportunities (52nd for both). So, it may not be surprising that nearly one in four (24%) are not satisfied with their job in general (vs. 16% globally).

The destination ends up among the bottom 10 in the Expat Essentials Index (45th) as well: 16% rate the unrestricted access to online services negatively (vs. 6% globally), and 15% find it difficult to get high-speed internet access at home (vs. 10% globally). Türkiye still ranks somewhat below the average in the Quality of Life Index (39th). The destination comes second to last for Safety & Security (52nd).

In the Personal Finance Index (34th), 44% of expats are satisfied with the general cost of living, the same as the global average, while less than half (48%) are satisfied with their financial situation (vs. 58% globally). The country has its best — but still fairly average — performance in the Ease of Settling In Index (27th): 45% find it easy to make local friends, slightly more than the global average (43%).

Other countries in the bottom 10 include South Korea (50th), Germany (49th), South Africa (48th), Italy (47th), Malta (46th), New Zealand (45th), and Japan (44th).

PRNEWS.IO Partners with Worldcrunch to Elevate Global News Reach and Impact
Corporate News
Worldcrunch

PRNEWS.IO Partners with Worldcrunch to Elevate Global News Reach and Impact

PRNEWS.IO, Europe's leading platform for sponsored content, is thrilled to announce its flourishing partnerships with a diverse range of esteemed media outlets. These collaborations mark a significant milestone for PRNEWS.IO and demonstrate its commitment to delivering unrivaled brand exposure and engagement for its clients through its service content marketplace.

One such influential media outlet that has joined forces with PRNEWS.IO is Worldcrunch, a global news publication of in-depth reportages and analysis from more than 40 countries and 15 languages. Founded in Paris in 2011, the platform works with the world’s leading news organizations and top international journalists to identify the right stories and apply their unique system for journalistically-driven translation and adaptation.

This strategic collaboration allows PRNEWS.IO's clients to effectively reach their target audience and drive brand awareness, credibility, and customer engagement through streamlined access to sponsored content placement on a reputable platform.

“Our partnership with Worldcrunch exemplifies our commitment to connecting our clients with industry-leading media outlets”, says Alexander Storozhuk, a member of the Forbes Business Council and founder of the PRNEWS.IO platform. "Through this partnership, we empower our clients to amplify their brand reach, build authority, and engage with a highly targeted audience”.

The ultimate goal: optimal exposure for clients

The synergy between PRNEWS.IO and Worldcrunch presents a win-win situation for both sides. While PRNEWS.IO expands its roster of esteemed media outlets, Worldcrunch gains access to a broader spectrum of brands and companies seeking to establish a compelling online presence. This symbiotic relationship ensures that PRNEWS.IO's clients receive optimal exposure, while Worldcrunch continues to deliver relevant and insightful content to its audience.

“We are thrilled to partner with PRNEWS.IO, a reputable platform that enables us to expand our reach and connect with a wider audience of brands and companies”, says Benjamin Sabbah, CEO at Worldcrunch. “Through this collaboration, we can provide our readers with even more valuable insights and perspectives, while offering brands a unique opportunity to showcase their expertise and offerings in our media outlet. Together, we are poised to deliver exceptional value to our audience and clients alike”.

To secure an article spot on Worldcrunch, simply visit their dedicated page on the PRNEWS.IO platform and select the options that best align with your requirements, including publication-only, writing services, translation, and more.

PRNEWS.IO remains committed to forging strategic partnerships with influential media outlets, reinforcing its position as a trusted platform for sponsored content placement. The platform's dedication to quality, transparency, and value ensures that brands and media outlets alike can thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

About PRNEWS.IO

PRNEWS.IO facilitates the seamless sharing of news and stories between companies and journalists, bloggers, and media outlets worldwide. Through its on-demand content marketing platform, businesses can directly purchase spots for their native format articles on over 100,000 reputable news websites across 142 countries, with no hiring process or long-term commitments.

Founded by Ukrainians in Estonia in 2018, PRNEWS.IO operates on a service-as-a-product (SaaP) model, utilizing big data to enable predictable brand communications through media stories. The company is also a service provider of the Estonian government-issued digital identity and status program called e-Residency.

PRNEWS.IO was honored as a winner in the Marketing and PR category at the Go Global Awards presented by the International Trade Council.

About Worldcrunch

Worldcrunch is a Paris-based English language news website that curates and translates news from international media sources and partner organizations.

Founded in Paris in 2011, Worldcrunch is a news website that curates, translates and publishes the best of the international press, in English, from top sources around the world (Die Welt and Les Echos in Europe, El Espectador and Clarin in Latin America, Livy Bereg in Ukraine, Initium in China ... and dozens more).

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Living Abroad

These Are The Best Countries For The Budget-Conscious Expat

Vietnam, Mexico, and Indonesia are the best destinations when it comes to finances, according to findings in the Expat Insider survey.

Global expat community InterNations conducts one of the biggest annual surveys on life abroad, Expat Insider. In 2022, close to 12,000 expats representing 177 nationalities took part and shared their thoughts on life abroad — including their finances.

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Living Abroad

From A Healthy Work-Life Balance to Great Job Markets: The Best Destinations for Working Abroad

Denmark, Australia, and Ireland are the best places for working abroad, according to findings in the Expat Insider survey.

Global expat community InterNations conducts one of the biggest annual surveys on life abroad, Expat Insider. In 2022, close to 12,000 expats representing 177 nationalities took part and shared their thoughts on living — and working — abroad.

Denmark Offers a Great Work-Life Balance

Denmark ranks 1st in the Working Abroad Index 2022 overall and 1st for Work & Leisure in particular. Over two in five expats in Denmark (42%) are completely happy with their working hours, compared to just 28% of all respondents globally. And over three-quarters (77%) rate their work-life balance favorably, too (vs. 62% globally).

Over four in five expats in Denmark enjoy the local business culture for its support of independent work and/or flat hierarchies (81% vs. 45% globally) and flexibility (85% vs. 60% globally). Creativity and thinking outside the box are also encouraged (69% vs. 51% globally).

An impressive 95% rate the state of the Danish economy positively (vs. 64% globally). Expats’ general satisfaction with their job (63% vs. 64% globally) and personal career opportunities (54% vs. 58% globally) is rather average, though.

And Denmark also receives below average results in some areas. Around half the expats (54%) say that moving there has improved their career prospects, compared to three in five respondents (60%) globally. And they are less likely to rate the Danish job market positively (43% vs. 47% globally).

Australia Does Everything Right regarding Jobs

Australia ranks 2nd in the Working Abroad Index. Close to three in ten expats (29%) give the job market in Australia the best possible rating, nearly twice the global average of 15%. Not quite two-thirds (64%) are also satisfied with their personal career opportunities (vs. 58% globally).

As in Denmark, respondents are satisfied with the local business culture, too. They agree that it supports flexibility (78% vs. 60% globally), creativity (65% vs. 51% globally), and independent work and/or flat hierarchies (65% vs 45%). This may explain, at least in part, why 70% rate the work-life balance in Australia positively (vs. 62% globally). Over two in five respondents (42%) are even completely satisfied with their working hours (vs. 28% globally).

An above-average share of expats in Australia also rate the state of the economy positively (77% vs. 64% globally), agree that they are paid fairly for their work (70% vs. 62% globally), and regard the job security in Australia favorably (70% vs. 59% globally). Overall, 72% are satisfied with their job in general (vs. 64% globally).

Ireland Stands Out for Its Job Market

Ireland places 3rd in the Working Abroad Index 2022. As in Australia, respondents are particularly satisfied with the local job market (68% positive ratings vs. 47% globally). Close to three in ten (29%) even say it’s very good (vs. 15%).

Close to three-quarters also rate their personal career opportunities positively (72% vs. 58% globally) and agree that moving to Ireland has improved their prospects (74% vs. 60% globally). “For foreigners, there are a lot of job opportunities, due to the international companies that are located there,” a Dutch expat living in Ireland points out.

A similar share rate the Irish economy positively (71% vs. 64% globally) and agree that they are compensated fairly for their work (69% vs. 62% globally). Ireland also ranks 1st worldwide for job security, with close to three-quarters (74%) giving this factor a positive rating (vs. 59% globally)!

Ireland’s 16th place regarding Work & Leisure is not quite as impressive, but still above average: 75% are, for example, happy with their working hours (vs. 63% globally). And all in all, 70% are satisfied with their job in general (vs. 64% globally).

Find out more in the Expat Insider 2022 report.

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Corporate News
Worldcrunch

Can A Collaborative Writing Platform Serve As A Springboard For Europe’s Culture Sector?

The digital age has brought about significant changes in all industries. The cultural sector is no exception, with the rise of social media sparked a bonafide revolution in the way musicians, filmmakers, writers, etc., create and share their content. In Europe, the issue is particularly salient in the writing world, as the region faces a lack of alternatives to the American and Chinese social media platforms dominating the market in terms of online text diffusion. Alexandre Leforestier, the founder of Panodyssey, an innovative social network dedicated to authors and readers, recently shared his thoughts on the need for a European digital industry that serves the culture, citizens, and democracies of Europe.

Panodyssey, the collaborative platform gathering professionals and non-professionals creators, was born out of a simple idea: the need for Europe to create a solid and independent European digital industry. In a recent interview [in French] with Club Italie France, Panodyssey’s founder Alexandre Leforestier said that while both American and Chinese cultures have their respective, undeniable benefits, he believes it is crucial for Europe to build its own thriving digital industry that promotes European values and caters to European citizens. This is the driving force behind Panodyssey, which aims to offer a platform that fosters a peaceful and advertisement-free social environment, respects users' behavior and choices, and provides transparent algorithmic functions.

The dominance of American and Chinese tech giants, such as the GAFAM and TikTok, in content distribution to European internet users has raised concerns about the bloc’s cultural leadership on the internet. Leforestier stressed that the distribution of content should not be exclusively controlled by said tech giants. Instead, Europe needs to rise to new challenges and create a strong European alternative that combines ethics and digital innovation while combating digital pollution.

Lessons from the music industry

The European Commission has shown a strong commitment to addressing these concerns and establishing a new digital framework focused on transparency, protection, sovereignty, and regulation. The Panodyssey founder commended the efforts of European Commissioners Mariya Gabriel and Thierry Breton, who encouraged entrepreneurs and investors to create new projects in line with Europe's digital strategy. This strategic support from the European Commission has provided a favorable environment for Panodyssey and similar innovative initiatives.

Drawing from his extensive experience in the music industry, Alexandre Leforestier highlighted the early impact of the digital revolution on music distribution. His journey in the music industry, witnessing deep changes in the way people consume and share music, taught him valuable lessons about innovation and the inner workings of major American tech companies like Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and YouTube.

Europe needs to rise to new challenges and create a strong European alternative that combines ethics and digital innovation while combating digital pollution.

With Panodyssey, Leforestier aims to disrupt the current paradigm where the GAFAM dictate the rules, often at the expense of publishers, distributors, and authors who face the threat of extinction — instead providing a platform for authors and publishers to come together in a community that shares the same values and vision. The goal: to develop innovative solutions and tools that promote high-quality content and offer new possibilities for creators.

Panodyssey's approach is distinct from existing social media platforms: By certifying all user accounts, the platform establishes a trusted digital space where individuals, organizations, and brands have full control over their names and reputations. This certification process also safeguards intellectual property by creating automated registers linked to certified accounts. Additionally, Panodyssey allows users to customize and control the algorithmic system, creating a more personalized experience that does not rely on advertising models. The resulting reading experience is therefore in a unique position to attract a quality audience, ultimately benefiting publishers, authors, and readers alike.

In tune with Europe’s values — and goals

Panodyssey's innovative approach aligns with the European Commission's efforts to build a more ethical and user-centric digital landscape. By emphasizing transparency, personalized content discovery, and the promotion of diverse high-quality content in European languages, Panodyssey contributes to the broader vision of a strong European digital industry.

One distinctive feature of Panodyssey is its commitment to supporting European languages and cultures. The platform encourages the creation and discovery of content in various European languages, promoting linguistic diversity and cultural exchange. This focus on multilingualism sets Panodyssey apart from other global platforms that primarily operate in English, catering to a more diverse and localized audience.

As Panodyssey continues to grow and evolve, Alexandre Leforestier envisions partnerships with European publishers and media outlets to further amplify the platform's reach and impact. By collaborating with established players in the industry, Panodyssey can tap into existing networks and leverage their expertise to expand its user base and provide more opportunities for content creators.

Panodyssey aims to play a crucial role in fostering a vibrant and diverse digital ecosystem.

With its focus on ethics, transparency, personalized experiences, and support for European languages and cultures, Panodyssey represents a promising initiative that aims to redefine the digital landscape in Europe by offering an alternative to dominant global platforms. It has the potential to empower content creators, foster cultural exchange, and provide a space that aligns with the values and aspirations of European citizens.

As Europe continues to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the digital age, such projects, along with the support of the European Commission and other relevant programs, play a crucial role in fostering a vibrant and diverse digital ecosystem that reflects the rich cultural heritage of the continent.

Manama, Bahrain.
Living Abroad

From Visas to Housing: Where the Basics of Life Abroad Are Easy to Handle

Bahrain, the UAE, and Singapore are the best destinations when it comes to sorting out the basics, according to findings in the Expat Insider survey.

Global expat community InterNations conducts one of the biggest annual surveys on life abroad, Expat Insider. In 2022, close to 12,000 expats representing 177 nationalities took part and shared their thoughts on life abroad.

As part of the survey, the Expat Essentials Index takes a closer look at admin topics, language considerations, the affordability and availability of housing, as well as digital life — from cashless payment options to high-speed internet.

There’s Little Red Tape in Bahrain

Bahrain ranks 1st in the Expat Essentials Index, thanks in large parts to its great results regarding Admin Topics (2nd) and Language (4th). With internationals making up a large share of the population, this might simply be due to the fact that Bahrain is probably used to addressing the needs of expats.

For example, seven in ten of those who needed a visa (70%) say it was easy to get (vs. 56% globally). Two-thirds (67%) also had little trouble with the local bureaucracy (vs. 40% globally). And 79% are happy with the availability of government services online (vs. 61% globally). What’s more, there doesn’t seem to be much of a language barrier: 82% find they don’t necessarily need local language skills to live in Bahrain (vs. 51% globally).

Expats also have few difficulties in finding accommodation (82% happy vs. 54% globally). And while 30% say housing is expensive, that is still a better result than the global average of 43%. All in all, Bahrain ranks 10th for Housing.

There Are Few Language Barriers in the UAE

Second-placed UAE has a lot in common with Bahrain and also excels for Language (2nd). A vast majority of respondents (85%) find it easy to live in the UAE without speaking the local language (vs. 51% globally), ranking the Emirates first for this factor.

The UAE also performs admirably when it comes to Admin Topics (3rd). It’s the top destination for the ease of getting a visa, which 83% rate positively (vs. 56% globally). An above-average share agree that it is easy to deal with local authorities (61% vs. 40% globally) or handle admin tasks online (86% vs. 61% globally), too.

Accommodations are also easy to find, according to three-quarters of respondents (75% vs. 54% globally). However, over a third (36%) say it’s not affordable enough (vs. 43% globally), resulting in a 14th place for the UAE when it comes to Housing.

Top Marks for Singapore’s Digital Life

With Singapore in 3rd place, another expat hub makes it onto the podium. The city-state even places first for Language — most likely because English is one of its official languages.

Singapore is also the best-rated country for high-speed internet access at home (97% satisfied vs. 79% globally). A similar share agree that there are plenty of cashless payment options (97% vs. 84% globally). And only Estonia (1st) beats Singapore (2nd) when it comes to the availability of government services online. Over nine in ten expats (91%) rate this factor positively (vs. 61% globally).

Expats in Singapore generally find it easy to deal with the local bureaucracy (63% happy vs. 40% globally), and 81% had no difficulties opening a bank account (vs. 64% globally). However, getting a visa is not quite as easy as in the UAE (58% positive ratings vs. 83% in the UAE and 56% globally).

The only downside is accommodations, with Singapore ranking 34th out of 52 destinations in the Housing Subcategory. This is mostly down to costs: 71% find housing hard to afford (vs. 43% globally), even if a similar share (73%) say it is not difficult to find (vs. 54% globally).

Find out more in the Expat Insider 2022 report.
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SPONSORED CONTENT

Education Abroad Is An Investment In The Future: The Best Investment Options From Smapse Education Experts

A short story of Smapse Education experts

Smapse Education is a worldwide agency that specializes in international education. Their mission is to assist students from around the world in finding the educational course that is best suited for them. According to Fortune Education, Smapse Education ranks among the top 25 best international education agencies globally, which is a significant achievement for the company. Nick Vorotny, one of the company's co-founders, stated that they are proud to hold the largest fairs of international education abroad twice a year in Dubai, Baku, Tel Aviv, and each event is visited by more than 1,500 guests. The idea for Smapse Education originated in 2009 when two London university alumni, Nick Vorotny and Egor Eremeev, decided to create a web platform that would help individuals who are in search of educational institutions abroad. Their vision was to present the top schools, camps, colleges, and universities on the website, providing students with a comprehensive list of options. Over the past decade, Smapse Education has established partnerships with prestigious schools, language centers, and universities worldwide. The company's online portal, which took two years to create, is straightforward to use and attracts students and parents alike. By clicking on a button, individuals can access a wide variety of educational programs at schools and universities worldwide. The portal covers the entire process, from the application to successful enrollment in the educational institution, and a qualified expert accompanies the client from the start.

How we helped to choose the most promising options for studying abroad

Smapse Education is proud of its team of experts, who are professionals in their field of work. Their main criteria for employment are extensive experience in the educational sphere, which guarantees that each student's requirements and expectations are met when choosing an educational institution abroad. The company's experts guide students through all stages of the process, from selecting and applying to the course to admission processing and visa processing. Additionally, the company provides support with issues such as accommodation, adaptation to a new language and academic environment, etc.

To date, Smapse Education has assisted over 30,000 students worldwide in finding the best education option for them. The company's statistics show an average success rate of 94%, indicating that students find an ideal course that meets all their requirements and interests. The company has expanded its geography of students annually, and it has opened offices in the UK, UAE, Israel, Germany, Poland, Italy, Greece, Spain due to increasing demand. Smapse Education offers various educational programs, including language courses, summer camps, primary, secondary, and high school, pre-university preparation, and obtaining university degrees (Bachelor, Master, doctoral). The company also provides professional skills preparation, enabling individuals to achieve their business, academic, or personal goals. Once a student is enrolled in a school abroad, Smapse Education does not leave them without support. The company has professional staff located in different parts of the world to provide assistance with accommodation, visa applications, logistics, transfer, etc. The company's professionalism is evident from the numerous positive reviews it has received from students and their parents. This has increased brand awareness, as students recommend the company to their friends who are interested in education abroad.

Smapse Education is committed to helping students achieve their academic and career goals. Their team of experts is dedicated to providing personalized support, enabling each student to find a suitable academic option based on their financial abilities, interests, preferences, and future goals.