Nowadays we live in an incredibly interconnected world. With all the means we have to keep in touch with our loved ones and our employers, moving abroad doesn't seem such a daunting prospect. Indeed, more and more people are planning to set up a base somewhere in the world that truly suits them, looking for job opportunities farther afield, and thinking about the best place to settle down.
There is a lot to consider when thinking about moving abroad, from language requirements to securing a job or transferring abroad with the current position, to good education opportunities for children and decent healthcare. There are lots of ways of measuring and quantifying what makes somewhere a great place to live. The World Happiness Report, for instance, records how residents feel about living in a particular country and ranks nations according to these responses. Usually, nations stand out when they have outstanding living conditions, great economic stability, and good social services.
Below we list five of the best countries in the world, to consider for relocation, based on these metrics.
Finland
Anyone who pays attention will know that Scandinavian countries always score highly in world rankings for quality of life, and Finland is no exception. Finland has consistently landed at the top of the World Happiness Report since 2018. Much of this is down to Finland's welfare system, which is among the most supportive in the world. Residents are offered incredible services, including outstanding universal healthcare and support for parents and families. This obviously means that the taxes residents pay in Finland are a little higher than some other countries, but all that money goes to good use: the country has brilliant infrastructure, including reliable and comfortable public transport. To top it all off, Finland is a beautiful country with a well-maintained environment and plenty of outdoor activities on offer for those who love being active and out in nature.
Iceland
Much like Finland, Iceland is a gorgeous country with outstanding natural beauty. In many ways, it is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who are passionate about the natural environment, spending a lot of time outdoors engaging with the landscape. Like many Scandinavian nations, Iceland does have very high taxes but what it does have is a well-funded welfare system, public healthcare, fantastic education systems, and well-connected public transport. Although the country has a very small population – only 370,000 people – the culture is rich. People in Iceland love to hike and enjoy nature, but they are also community-focused and profoundly committed to environmental innovation. In Iceland, the population really thinks about everyone's future, with almost all of their energy coming from renewable energy.
Australia
Although Australia is about as far away from Scandinavia as you can get, the nation still ranks very highly as a great place to live. Australia is not an entirely easy place to move to, you have to be brave about spiders and snakes and there are strict visa and entry requirements. However, if you are able to meet these requirements you will be met with an incredibly high quality of life. Australia has a large and diverse population (around 29 million), meaning it is generally a welcoming place to live. They have a brilliant public healthcare system and outstanding schools and universities, as well as an abundance of job opportunities. On top of this, the country is truly beautiful and enjoys a warm climate, meaning you can spend a lot of time outdoors (especially at the beach) and you can be sure to always have access to high-quality fresh fruit and vegetables.
Sweden
Leaping back to Europe and Scandinavia now, Sweden is consistently named as one of the best places to live in the world. Like its neighbours, Sweden has extremely good public services, including great education and healthcare. It is also renowned globally for its progressive politics and its high levels of social equity, particularly gender equity. There are few better places to be a woman in the workforce! Sweden has stunning cities, with incredible architecture and fantastic public transportation. Its countryside, too, is beautiful and residents enjoy spending time exercising outdoors. Like many Scandinavian countries, there is a high level of English spoken both socially and professionally, and this might be of use when considering where in the world you are able to work. Sweden also has excellent job opportunities in arts, culture, and education.
Netherlands
In 2024, the Netherlands was ranked as the number one place to live in the world in CEO World Magazine. This is because the culture in the Netherlands encourages residents to maintain a healthy work/life balance. Often, companies in the Netherlands will facilitate flexible working, clear boundaries between work time and personal time, and great leave for holidays. Public services in the Netherlands are also strong, and there are many excellent opportunities for education. It is also easy to get around, with strong rail and bus networks and world-class infrastructure for cycling – if you love keeping fit and being on the move then perhaps this beautiful (and flat) country is the place for you. The Dutch are also welcoming and typically speak excellent English, which can make the transition to life there a little easier for people who don't yet speak the language.
If you are thinking of moving abroad, the above list will hopefully assist you in the process of weighing up what is important to you in your personal and professional life, when it comes to relocating.
