YOGYAKARTA - Every year, thousands of people choose to leave their home countries to live abroad, usually because of job demands. Factors such as quality of life, cost of living, and ease of adapting are the main considerations in determining residential choices.
To provide an objective picture, the online platform InterNations has re-released the annual report on the list of the best countries for expatriate residences in 2025. This survey involved 10,085 expatriates of 172 citizenship spread across 46 countries.
The assessment is based on five main components, namely quality of life, ease of adaptation, career opportunities, personal finance, and expatriate needs. By using a 1-7 assessment scale of 53 factors, the results of this survey are considered as a reference for expatriates.
The survey was conducted on 1-28 February 2025 through online questionnaires shared in the InterNations community, newsletters, and social media. Survey participants come from various backgrounds, ranging from professional workers, retirees, to international job seekers.
This report not only assesses economic aspects, but also the emotional and social welfare of expatriates in the country they live in. The survey results show that Panama is again the best country for expatriate residences.
As many as 94 percent of expatriates in Panama are satisfied with their lives, especially because of the safe environment, affordable living expenses, and a pleasant tropical climate. Most of the expatriates in this country are retirees who enjoy a relaxed lifestyle with adequate public facilities.
Interestingly, Asian countries dominate half the list of the top 10 best countries for expatriates in 2025. Thailand occupies the fourth position, followed by Vietnam and China in fifth and sixth positions. Indonesia itself is in eighth place.
Expatriates assess that countries in Asia excel in terms of low cost of living and ease of finding a place to live. In addition, community hospitality and culinary diversity are the main attractions for expatriates to stay longer.
Based on the results of the InterNations survey, here is a list of the best countries for expatriates in 2025:
Respondents in Indonesia are dominated by male expatriates with an average age of 56.4 years. About 17 percent live because of work, while the other 13 percent are for personal or romantic reasons. Interestingly, 33 percent of expatriates say they want to stay forever in Indonesia.
However, not all countries provide a positive experience for expatriates. Based on the same surveys, Kuwait, Turkey, and South Korea are at the bottom of the 2025 list. Other countries that also received low ratings include Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Canada, Norway, Sweden, and Italy.
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The reasons for expatriates that are uncomfortable in these countries are also religious, ranging from difficulties in terms of work balance to high cost of living. In addition, expatriates also have difficulty adapting to local culture.
The 2025 InterNations report shows that the best country for expatriates is not only measured by strong job opportunities or the economy. Factors such as community friendliness, cost of living, and quality of life as a whole play an important role in determining living satisfaction abroad.
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