It’s no surprise why expats say this country is the best place to live

Ever been away on holiday and, with a sip of a cocktail, thought: ‘I could totally live here’?

Yeah, us too.

Millions of people every year decide to up sticks, and settle outside of their home country, meaning there are now an estimated 281 million expats across the globe.

And now, a global survey has asked more than 12,500 expats from around the world to share their thoughts on what it’s like to live and work abroad, revealing the best place to live on Earth.

And their top pick my surprise you.

It’s , that was crowned first place, with 82% of expats saying they’re happy with their life there (compared to 68% globally).

Perhaps unsurprisingly, expats had no complaints when it came to their finances in Panama, famous for being a tax haven.

Almost three-quarters of respondents (74%) said they were satisfied with their financial situation (compared to the global average of 54%).

The overwhelming majority of people who live there (88%) said that their disposable household income is enough or more than enough to lead a comfortable life.

However, that wasn’t the only benefit of settling here. Panama was praised for its affordable housing, and how easy it is to get a visa there.

The working world also had some plus points: expats highlighted their work-life balance, and general working hours. The weekly average for full-time positions is 41 hours, and almost half (47%) worked remotely.

Residents also enjoy a pretty good quality of life, citing Panama to be safe, and adding that there is good healthcare available. There are also good leisure options available, with 79% saying there were good sporting opportunities, a pleasant climate, and that it’s easy to make friends too.

One American expat told InterNations, who conducted the Expat Insider report, just why they enjoyed living in Panama so much: ‘I love many things: my neighborhood, the weather, the variety of climates and terrain (city, beach, highlands), cultural activities, the diversity of restaurants, the people, healthcare, cost of living, and the stability of the government.’

Panama wasn’t the only Latin country to make it onto the top 10 list: Mexico (2nd) and Colombia (5th) also placed highly, and Spain came in fourth – the only European country in the top 10 list.

At the other end of the scale, out of 53 countries, the UK languished down at number 44, but it was Kuwait that came in at last place, for the seventh year running.

Over two-thirds of people moved to the Middle Eastern country for work, but only 43% of respondents are satisfied with their working hours – expats in a full-time position in Kuwait work an exhausting 47.8 hours a week.

Overall job satisfaction is also low, and there is a lack of flexibility in the work place.

Unsurprisingly, expats don’t leave the weather here.

Kuwait City is famously the hottest city in the world, where birds have literally been seen to fall dead from the sky.

Healthcare is also ranked low, and few expats say they’re happy with their social life.

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