The Expat Insider survey details the best and worst countries for expats to move to and live in, including South Africa.
The survey offers in-depth information on expats’ satisfaction with the quality of life, ease of settling in, working abroad, and personal finance in their respective country of residence.
The target audience included all kinds of expats, from foreign assignees – i.e., employees sent on a corporate assignment abroad – and international hires to self-made expats relocating for a better quality of life and a variety of other reasons.
The results are published in the form of an overall ranking of popular expat destinations, with additional information on five topical indices: Quality of Life, Ease of Settling In, Working Abroad, Personal Finance, and Expat Essentials.
For a country to be listed in any of the indices and in the overall ranking, a sample size of at least 50 survey participants per destination is required.
A total of 12,543 expats participated in the survey, representing 175 nationalities and living in 174 countries or territories worldwide.
In 2024, 53 destinations met the requirements.
According to the 2024 survey, Panama, Mexico, and Indonesia emerged as the top three destinations for expats, performing exceptionally well across several indices.
Panama ranked first, praised for its welcoming atmosphere, ease of settling in, and good working conditions.
Mexico followed closely, known for its rich culture and affordable cost of living, while Indonesia jumped from 13th place in 2023 to 3rd place in 2024 due to improvements in quality of life and working conditions.
The overall top ten countries for expats in 2024 include:
Panama
Mexico
Indonesia
Spain
Colombia
Thailand
Brazil
Vietnam
Philippines
UAE
Many of these countries, including Colombia, Brazil, and Vietnam, climbed significantly in the rankings due to improvements in various factors like ease of settling in, cost of living, and quality of life.
At the other end of the spectrum, Finland was the biggest loser in the rankings, dropping from 16th in 2023 to 51st in 2024.
Canada and Ireland also saw significant declines, with Canada falling from 27th to 49th place.
Several European countries featured in the bottom ten, including Finland, Germany, Norway, Italy, Malta, Ireland, and the UK, primarily due to poor scores in personal finance.
Expats in these countries reported high costs of living, housing difficulties, and dissatisfaction with their financial situations.
South Africa
Expats’ happiness with their lives in South Africa improved by 15 ranks in 2024, which is partly why the country has over two million expats.
However, they have noted that they still face several issues.
South Africa made significant strides in the 2024 rankings, climbing 19 spots from 48th to 29th place after spending four consecutive years in the bottom ten.
The country saw improvements in nearly all indices, particularly in housing and leisure options, which helped boost its overall standing.
South Africa ranked 9th in the Housing Subcategory and 10th in Leisure Options, with expats praising the country’s recreational opportunities and vibrant culinary scene.
Many respondents also highlighted the favourable climate and natural environment, with South Africa securing 3rd place for its natural beauty and 5th place for climate and weather.
As of 2024, South Africa continues to be a popular destination for expats, particularly those from the UK and other European countries.
An estimated 2 million expats live in South Africa, drawn by its diverse culture, relatively low cost of living, and natural beauty.
Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban remain the most preferred cities for expats, with Cape Town often seen as the most desirable due to its vibrant urban life and stunning landscapes.
Many expatriates work in sectors like IT, engineering, and finance, taking advantage of opportunities in these fields through critical skills work visas.
South Africa also performed well in the Ease of Settling In Index, ranking 23rd.
Expats found it relatively easy to make friends (13th place) and build personal support networks (11th place).
Many respondents (29%) reported forming close relationships with locals, a higher percentage than the global average of 17%.
Expats also appreciated the friendly and welcoming atmosphere, with 63% saying they feel at home in the country.
In the Personal Finance Index, South Africa ranked 18th, with many expats citing affordable living costs and sufficient disposable income.
Over 70% of expats said their income is enough to lead a comfortable life, surpassing the global average.
The downside
While South Africa offers many benefits for expats, including lower living costs compared to Western countries, there are also challenges, such as crime and infrastructure issues, especially in public services like healthcare.
South Africa continues to struggle in key areas like safety and security, ranking dead last (53rd) in this category.
Expats voiced concerns about personal safety, with over half (54%) rating it negatively, compared to just 8% globally.
The country also ranked poorly in political stability, which further dragged down its overall performance in the Quality of Life Index, placing it 43rd.
Another major area of concern is the Travel and Transit Subcategory, where South Africa ranked 52nd.
Expats reported dissatisfaction with the affordability and availability of public transportation, with 65% saying it’s neither easy nor safe to get around on foot or by bicycle.