A survey has unveiled the most welcoming nation for expatriates globally, and a Central American location leads the rankings as the friendliest spot.
The outcome originates from a poll conducted by
InterNations
, an expatriate guide that invited foreigners living in 53 different countries worldwide to evaluate their adopted homes.
Expat respondents were queried regarding their social lives, feelings of being settled-in, ease of adapting to the local culture, and perceptions of the locals’ amiability.
Therefore, where are the most welcoming locations for expats to relocate?
The friendliest…
Costa Rica
Costa Rica
ranks first as the most welcoming nation for expats looking to move abroad.
Most expatriates (88 percent) report feeling “very welcome” in Costa Rica, and an impressive 83 percent say they feel as though they have found a second home there.
Over a third (35 percent) believe that adapting to the local culture is quite simple, whereas only 21 percent feel this way globally.
A Canadian expatriate shares with InterNations: “The residents here are typically kind and delightful individuals. One gradually embraces the ‘Pura Vida’ lifestyle in Costa Rica.”
Ninety percent of expatriates consider the locals to be friendly, making it unsurprising that 58 percent find forming friendships with locals quite simple.
Mexico
Mexico secures the second spot in the rankings, earning high scores particularly for its welcoming inhabitants.
Nearly 75 percent (73 percent) of expatriates report being satisfied with their social life in Mexico, and an impressive 85 percent feel welcomed in the country.
According to 67 percent of expatriates, making local friends is straightforward. Additionally, 31 percent mention that most of their friends are Mexican, which is significantly above the worldwide average of 17 percent.
An American expatriate shares with InterNations: “Here, social relationships appear to be significant, hence individuals are keen on forming new friendships, even with expats.”
The Philippines
Over forty percent of expatriates (41%) residing in the Philippines, which holds the third position on the list, mention that their primary friendships are with locals.
Nearly 70 percent (specifically 69 percent) of expatriates find it easy to make local friends in the Philippines, and about 68 percent are satisfied with their social lives in this Southeast Asian nation.
A U.K. expatriate tells InterNations: “I adore the relaxed and unrestricted way of life here. People are always approachable for a conversation.”
About eighty percent of expatriates feel welcomed in the Philippines (85%), and nearly eight out of ten (78%) report feeling at home there.
The least friendly…
Kuwait
Kuwait is ranked as the most unfriendly nation for expatriates. Just one-quarter of expats report feeling welcomed (26 percent), with nearly half stating they do not feel at home there (49 percent).
Slightly less than half (47 percent) of the respondents find it challenging to adapt to the local culture, whereas merely 22 percent express satisfaction with their social life in Kuwait.
Over half (53 percent) of the surveyed expatriates mention that their friendships in the Middle Eastern country are limited to other foreigners residing there.
This might be due to the fact that 61 percent of expatriates find it challenging to form friendships with locals in Kuwait.
Norway
Norway ranks second last on the list. Expats find it very difficult to make local friends in the Nordic country with 67 per cent saying they find it a challenge, while 49 per cent are unhappy with their social life.
In Norway, fewer than half of the residents (49 percent) report feeling at home, whereas 40 percent perceive the locals as unwelcoming.
Expat individuals often struggle with adapting to the local customs in Norway, even when they have acquired language proficiency.
A Kenyan expatriate shares with InterNations: “Despite my proficient Norwegian language abilities, I am unable to form friendships with Norwegians.”
Germany
Germany similarly places low, ranking third from last in terms of friendliness, as 32 percent of expatriates report not feeling welcomed there.
Less than 40 percent (39 percent) of expatriates consider locals welcoming in Germany, whereas 65 percent mention finding it difficult to form friendships with people from the area.
A Czech expatriate tells InterNations: “Making friends with Germans can be challenging because they often stick to circles formed during their early years like kindergarten or school.”
