Most of us grow up experiencing a very small part of the world – we are often born and grow up wherever our parents chose to settle. But with 195 existing countries, how many of us will truly get to see the world? Many people will not even visit a small fraction of them. For those that do travel, experiencing different cultures and environments can be an incredibly eye-opening journey. The best countries in the world have a plethora of enrichment to offer: food, wildlife, museums, culture like art and music, or unique stories and perspectives from locals.
Remote work became a new norm during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is now not unusual to encounter Americans who have decided to take their career on the road. According to a survey of 2,000 people, 62 percent of Americans working remotely are considering moving to a new country. Most respondents now feel like they have the freedom to travel, live, and work wherever they want due to remote work. If you work remotely and are considering moving to a new country, you’ll want to do extensive research before making such a drastic move.
So where exactly are people going when they move out of the United States? According to a 2022 study by HireaHelper, the top countries Americans have been moving to lately are Mexico, The U.K., Canada, and Australia. Portugal is one of the main countries that saw a significant jump in citizens from the US relocating there. No matter where you’re considering settling, there are many factors and logistics to consider before choosing the best country in the world to live in. Education, healthcare, politics, and other public institutions are usually factored in.
StudyFinds has researched some of the best countries in the world, whether you’re planning to live there permanently or just stay for a while. We created our list based on the top recommendations across 10 expert websites. Have you moved to another country? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments below!
The List: Best Countries in the World, According to Travel Experts
1. Switzerland
Switzerland is a small country in central Europe known for being one of the wealthiest and most scenic countries in the world. Their economy is one of the best. “Switzerland has low unemployment, a skilled labor force and one of the highest gross domestic products per capita in the world, according to the CIA World Factbook,” writes U.S. News. “The country’s strong economy is powered by low corporate tax rates, a highly-developed service sector led by financial services and a high-tech manufacturing industry.”
Switzerland is a wonderland of snowy mountains, flowery fields, lakes, and other picturesque landscapes. “Crammed between the ancient regions of France, Germany, and Italy, Switzerland is a natural wonder made up of mountains, lakes, and medieval landmarks. Across the board, and especially in security, Switzerland scores top marks in citizen contentment,” says World Atlas.
“The people of Switzerland enjoy impressive health, including long life expectancies (82 years for males and 85.9 for females) and a relative lack of fatal diseases,” notes World Population Review. “While Switzerland’s cost of living is high, so too is its overall standard of living.”
Spring in the Swiss Alps (Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash)
2. Denmark
Denmark is a country in Northern Europe that is known for being one of the happiest countries in the world. “One of the most impressive parts of Denmark is income equality,” remarks Get Golden Visa. “Also, the country is pretty politically stable and safe for living in. A well-developed public health and education system further improves the quality of life in the country.”
Denmark has free universal healthcare and education for all citizens. “Denmark ranks high in ‘social trust’, which measures people’s trust in one another, their government, and public institutions such as police and hospitals. Moreover, health care and education (including college/university) are completely free to all citizens,” writes World Population Review.
World Atlas writes: “‘There is a lovely country’ is a lyric from the 1819 Danish National anthem that still rings true 200 years later. Sweeping landscapes of endless meadows and fascinating geology make up this northern region.”
Colorful homes along the water in Copenhagen, Denmark (Photo by Adrian Cuj on Unsplash)
3. Japan
Japan is a land of thriving industry, from agriculture to technology like robotics. English speaking teachers are also high in demand. “Japan is also in the top 10 best countries for: cultural influence, entrepreneurship, power, up & coming economies, most-forward looking, most influential, green living, education,” writes CNBC.
Japan is the perfect combination of scenic beauty and modern bustle. Get lost in the streets of Shibuya or enjoy the Sakura cherry blossom season at a temple. “Now that the country has reopened for visa-free tourism, you’ll still find the incredible restaurants, the ultra-relaxing onsens, the Shinto temples, the cherry blossoms, and the impeccably clean and efficient high-speed trains, which run along some of the most scenic rail routes in the world,” says Condé Nast Traveler.
Japan ranks sixth in best countries overall for U.S. News. “Japan, one of the world’s most literate and technically advanced nations, is an East Asian archipelago country made up of four primary islands and more than 6,800 others. While most of Japan is covered by mountains and heavily wooded areas, the country’s people lead a distinctly urban lifestyle. Long culturally influenced by its neighbors, today the country blends its ancient traditions with aspects of Western life.”
Downtown in Shibuya, Japan (Photo by Jezael Melgoza on Unsplash)
4. Norway
Norway is also high on the list of overall citizen happiness. Both healthcare and education are also free here, and even unskilled work pays enough to live off of. “Norway is at the top of this year’s ranking for several reasons,” says Visual Capitalist. “For starters, it achieved the highest score in the Health category, largely because of its high average life expectancy, which is 83 years old, or 9 years longer than the global average.”
Norway is known for being a relatively rich country due to rich natural resources, productive labor forces, and the ability to buy and sell international goods at good prices. “Once ranked the happiest country in the world (and still appearing high up in Condé Nast’s top 10), the Scandinavian country famous for its fjords and fishing may not seem the obvious place for high-flying expats to make a name for themselves – but it has plenty to recommend it,” writes William Russell. “No wonder Norway is one of the best countries to live in.”
The Northern Lights in Norway (Photo by Thomas Lipke on Unsplash)
5. Germany
In Germany you have the option of living a stable life in the city or the country, while being supported by excellent public health and education systems. “One main advantage of Germany is the high level of education. The world ranking of the 500 best universities in the world includes 47 German universities,” writes Immigrant Invest.
World Population Review adds, “Nearly the entire population of Germany has received higher education, with 96% of people in Germany undertaking some form of post-graduate schooling or university classes (which are tuition-free).”
Germany also offers a good economy and ample business opportunities. High wages, low costs of living, low government corruption, and effective transportation make this country profitable and stable. “Germany received a perfect 100 score on the subranking of entrepreneurship,” remarks Wharton School. “It also scored a very high 92.1 on agility, which is defined as a country’s ability to adapt to obstacles and crises.”
Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber in Germany (Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash)
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