Have you ever thought about leaving your home country? If so, definitely take a look at our list of the 15 safest countries for expats.
For many around the world, starting a brand new life in an exciting new place is a dream, and the number of people who are making the choice to move to a foreign country is steadily increasing. This kind of major life decision will always come with certain hesitations, and there are multiple crucial factors to consider when it comes to picking up and leaving your home country. But arguably, most important of all is overall safety. Debating becoming an expat can be scary, but there are many countries that are extremely safe options.
Valery Bareta/Shutterstock.com
If you are interested you may want to check our article on 11 Easiest Countries for Americans to Move to And Work, as well.
In order to create our list, we used Expat Explorer and World Economic Forum as our sources to find out which are the best countries for expats, and The Global Economy and Nation Master to find statistics for kidnapping rates per 100,000 people, and Global Study on Homicide for murder rates per 100,000 people. We narrowed it down to the 40 best countries for expats, then cross-referenced with the 15 countries with the lowest homicide and kidnapping rates.
Now, let’s check out our list of the 15 safest countries for expats.
15. Oman
Oman has a tremendous number of expats, numbering nearly 2 million in 2016 alone; most notably from the United Kingdom, followed by the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Oman has a reputation for being quite safe, having a low crime rate, being ideal for raising children, and having particularly friendly and welcoming residents. Jobs are also plentiful, as it is a small country with a fledgling oil and medicine industry. They also offer an excellent educational system as well as great private healthcare.
A Jellema/Shutterstock.com
14. United Kingdom
There are more than 7.5 million expats in the United Kingdom. People are initially attracted to the UK because of its longstanding reputation as one of the safest countries in the world, not to mention the attractive amenities of excellent healthcare and a wonderful educational system. Extremely high workplace happiness and overall quality of life are just the cherries on top.
photo.ua/Shutterstock.com
13. Poland
Poland is becoming more attractive to expats, as housing has become more affordable and readily-available. Though most accommodations tend to be relatively limited on space, the housing market has been recently saturated with English-speaking realtors, making the hunt easier than ever before. The cost of living in Poland is relatively low compared to other European countries of similar quality of life. With high standards for education, a plentiful job market, an extremely livable average salary, and active nightlife, Poland is a wonderful option for expats looking for a little bit of everything.
In Green/Shutterstock.com
12. China
If you are looking for a safe country where you can live and work as a foreigner, China may be an excellent option for you. The job market is large and accommodating, and housing– even in cities like Shanghai– is relatively cheap compared to other developed cities in many parts of the world. Though Chinese residents do not tend to speak fluent English, they are generally extremely welcoming to newcomers, and will definitely strive to make you feel at home. All things considered, it is no wonder that China made it to our list of the safest countries for expats.
Zhao jian kang / Shutterstock.com
11. Qatar
Aside from being an extraordinarily safe country to live in, Qatar has some of the best housing accommodations on our entire list. Square footage is inexpensive, and plenty of new buildings are popping up all the time. Qatar has a very low crime rate, and is quickly becoming one of the most rapidly developing countries in the world. It is ideal for families as well as single people, as it offers a great sense of community, and a host of activities and adventures for all ages.
Rudil Adha Bin Awang / Shutterstock.com
10. Sweden
Sweden that’s up next in our list of safest countries for expats is an extremely beautiful and clean country with a laundry list of intriguing amenities. Swedish residents enjoy an extremely high standard of living, including a coveted six-hour-day work schedule that comes with a generous salary. This allows for more quality time spent with family and loved ones, and to go out and explore this beautiful country. Education is generally very high-quality and free, and many Swedish people speak some amount of English, which allows for better potential to make friends and feel secure in your new home.
Oleksiy Mark/Shutterstock
9. Saudi Arabia
Did you know that Saudi Arabia is one of the safest countries for expats? The advantages to living in Saudi Arabia begin at work. In addition to a vast and varied job market, people working in Saudi Arabia enjoy perks like paid education for your children, 21 days of paid vacation, high salary and luxurious housing. Saudi Arabia is a fairly wealthy nation, and as such, people who reside there are not asked to pay taxes, and they will still have access to things like high-quality socialized medicine. If bustling nightlife is not high on your list of priorities, then Saudi Arabia may be a great option for you.
Fedor Selivanov/Shutterstock.com
8. Czech Republic
Czech Republic ranks high on our list of safest countries for expats for both its gorgeous aesthetic and safe lifestyle. To make expats feel even more welcome and secure, there is emergency phone number 122 made especially for foreigners who can’t speak the local language. Inexpensive, top-notch healthcare is available to residents. There is a robust outdoor culture–from snow activities in the winter, to hiking in the summer–as well as plenty of restaurants, bars, and other activities to enjoy. Jobs are fairly easy to find for educated newcomers, and may include very high salaries and paid rent.
Veronika Galkina/Shutterstock.com
7. Spain
Among the numerous advantages to living in a gorgeous country like Spain are the low crime rate, great weather, and beautiful beaches. The healthcare system is admirable, and housing– though pricier in touristy areas– is readily available. And if living away from beaches and city centers works for you, you can find a lovely home for a fraction of the cost.
Luciano Mortula/Shutterstock.com
6. Austria
Up next in our list of safest countries for expats is Austria, that is extremely safe, as well as very clean and charming. It has a rich history and culture, which are woven into every facet of every day life around this country. This makes it an interesting place to raise a family. Quality of life tends to be very high, because though the cost of living in Austria is higher compared to some other countries in Europe, the average salary is also higher.
Alex Poison/Shutterstock.com
5. Hong Kong
We are continuing our list of safest countries for expats with Hong Kong that ranks high across the board, with its notable cleanliness, nice accommodations, and good overall safety ratings. Jobs are not difficult to find, and salaries are competitive. It is an ideal place to raise a family, as locals are eager to help newcomers feel welcome and adjust to their new home.
Ronnie Chua/Shutterstock.com
4. South Korea
Unlike its neighbor to the north, South Korea that ranks 4th in our list of safest countries for expats is one of the safest countries for foreigners. Not only will you be able to feel secure about your personal safety, you will also generally be able to feel secure about finding a job with great benefits. Many jobs offer competitive pay, as well as assistance with housing and bills. Residents also receive quality education and healthcare systems. Due to the ever-increasing number of expats pouring into South Korea, there is an interesting expat culture being established in active newcomer-specific communities.
Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.com
3. Indonesia
Indonesia ranks 3rd in our list of safest countries for expats. It boasts a vibrant nightlife scene, in addition to expat-specific community organizations to help newcomers adjust to the rich culture and social traditions while making friends. The tropical climate and inexpensive transportation options are very appealing. And the low cost of living paired with high quality of life creates quite a comfortable lifestyle.
AsiaTravel/Shutterstock.com
2. Japan
Up next in our list of safest countries for expats is Japan that is one of the most developed countries in the world, with excellent infrastructure and legendary cuisine. Finding a job and housing is relatively easy, and residents have access to the world’s best when it comes to education and healthcare. Safety is not a concern for expats looking to move to Japan.
Picnote/Shutterstock.com
1. Singapore
Number one on our list is Singapore. Though housing is not necessarily inexpensive, cost of living is offset by generous salaries. There is very little traffic, excellent healthcare, and an excellent educational system. Crime rates are exceptionally low, and locals are very friendly and generally speak English. These amenities all add up to an excellent place to raise a family.
anekoho/Shutterstock.com
This was our list of 15 safest countries for expats. We hope that we have compiled a comprehensive list of countries with both the lowest crime rates and highest standards of living.
