Given that business is truly global these days—opportunities to live abroad are ever-increasing. In an annual survey of expats around the globe, some 9,000 workers in over 100 countries were asked to score 43 aspects of their lives abroad, from commuting and ease of setting up utilities to the cost of education and the ease of making friends — for both expats and their children. (Two countries not appearing in the Top 10: the U.S. and the U.K., which are ranked 30th and 33rd, respectively.) If you are looking to uproot, here are the top-rated countries to consider.
1. Switzerland
Otherwise famous for watches, chocolate, and neutrality, Switzerland also turns out to be the best place to be an expat. Foreign workers report a happy work-life balance and like the country’s clean air and scenic terrain. Plus, expats do well there—25% earn more than $200,000 per year (perhaps not coincidentally, the same percentage of the country’s expats work in finance).
3. China
It’s all about the money in China—almost a quarter of expats earn more than $300,000 per year there, more than in any other country. Meanwhile, things are cheap in China; roughly three-quarters of foreign workers report having more spending money than they would at home. Expats in China, 25% of whom work in education, also tend to have more active social lives than those in other locales.
5. Bahrain
Despite bouts of political unrest in recent years, expats living on the island kingdom give it good reviews for the local food and culture. The expat crowd— 77% of the country’s workforce—is dominated by Indians and bankers who move to Bahrain for better job prospects. 92% report keeping strong cultural ties with their homeland.
8. Taiwan
Expats adjust easily to life in Taiwan where they find the population friendly and the healthcare among the most excellent and affordable in the world. They also enjoy taking in local customs like the Lunar New Year and local delicacies like bubble tea. A quarter of the island’s expats work in education, while 35% of the total expat community are American.