- A survey conducted by InterNations among expatriates living in 53 different nations worldwide was carried out.
- EXPLORE FURTHER: As a seasoned travel connoisseur, here are some of Europe’s least-known gems you shouldn’t miss
A survey has identified the most welcoming nation for expatriates globally, placing a Central American destination at the top of the rankings.
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 interactions, sense of belonging, ease of adapting to the local customs, and the amiability of the indigenous community.
Where then are the most welcoming spots for expats looking 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 welcomed" in Costa Rica, and 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 effortless, whereas only 21 percent feel this way globally.
A Canadian expatriate shares with InterNations: "The residents here are typically kind and delightful individuals. You gradually get accustomed to embracing the 'Pura Vida' lifestyle in Costa Rica."
Ninety percent of expatriates consider the locals to be friendly, making it unsurprising that 58% find forming friendships with locals to be an effortless experience.
Mexico
Mexico secures the second spot in the rankings thanks to high scores 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, whereas 31 percent mention that most of their acquaintances are Mexican—this figure 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%) in the Philippines, ranking third on this 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 UK expatriate tells InterNations: "I enjoy the relaxed and unrestricted way of life here. People are always approachable for a conversation."
Almost eighty percent of expatriates feel welcomed in the Philippines (85%), and nearly eight out of ten people (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), and nearly half (49 percent) do not feel at home there.
Approximately 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 they have friendships exclusively with other international residents in the Middle Eastern nation.
This might be due to the fact that 61 percent of expatriates find it challenging to form friendships with locals in Kuwait.
Norway
Norway is nearly at the bottom of the rankings. Many expatriates struggle to form local friendships in this Scandinavian nation, as 67 percent find it challenging, and 49 percent express dissatisfaction with their social lives.
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 to adapt to the local culture in Norway, even when they have good language skills.
A Kenyan expatriate shares with InterNations: "Despite my proficient Norwegian language abilities, I'm having difficulty making Norwegian friends."
Germany
Germany similarly places low in the rankings, ranking third from last in terms of friendliness with 32 percent of expatriates feeling unwelcome.
Less than 40 percent (39 percent) of expatriates consider locals welcoming in Germany, whereas 65 percent report finding it difficult to form friendships with people from the area.
A Czech expatriate tells InterNations: "Forming friendships with Germans can be challenging since they often stick to their groups of friends from early childhood or school."
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