Can you guess which country it is?
Retirees are Thrilled: The Best Country for a Happy Old Age is Named — Even Medications are Discounted There |
Not all cities and countries we think about moving to (even temporarily) are equally good. There are those where you will quickly realize that changing your place of residence hasn’t truly changed your life, but there are also those that are literally created for expats. And so that no one wastes time searching for that one perfect country, numerous rankings exist. For example, the Expat Insider.
It is compiled based on feedback from thousands of people to account for all aspects of life as much as possible, rather than focusing on any single subjective opinion. This includes quality of life, career opportunities, cost of living, ease of adaptation, and safety — in short, everything that helps others understand where expats live best.
The other day, a fresh ranking of countries for relocation—from best to worst—appeared on the InterNations website. It included 43 states. Anticipating the question, we’ll answer right away: Russia is not in this ranking. Presumably for political reasons.
Before you find out which country it is, try to guess.
Which country was recognized as the best for moving to and for a secure life in old age?
| Sri Lanka | Qatar | Algeria |
| Panama | Argentina | Singapore |
So, the country that connects the oceans turned out to be the most pleasant for settlers. 94% of the expats surveyed are satisfied with life in Panama.
“Everything is very calm, and Panamanians are very friendly,” says a German emigrant living in Panama City. “I feel safe in this country.”
Moreover, Panama is the perfect place for retirees. For example, the Pensionado program is in effect here, which allows foreigners to obtain permanent residency with a pension of at least $1,000 USD per month. Or $1,250 for a married couple. This program also provides access to numerous benefits:
- Discounts of up to 50% on entertainment and transportation;
- Discounts of up to 25% on utility bills and airline ticket purchases;
- Discounts of 15–20% on medical services and medication purchases.
Panama does not disappoint in terms of quality of life either. Survey participants noted the country’s advantages as travel opportunities, developed public transport, wonderful nature, accessibility of sports activities, and many public catering establishments.
Of course, there are downsides too. The surveyed individuals noted the following disadvantages:
- Organic food is hard to find in Panama;
- The infrastructure for cars is lacking;
- Not all government services can be obtained online.
Although, remembering all the advantages, expats are willing to turn a blind eye to these shortcomings and call them minor problems. The main things for them here are the friendliness of the local people, the culture of hospitality, the ease of settling in, a comfortable life, and satisfaction with their financial situation.
Colombia, Mexico, Thailand, and Vietnam also made it into the top five best countries for expats. Meanwhile, the three worst were South Korea, Turkey, and Kuwait. According to expats, it is difficult to work in these countries. These same states occupy the last three places in terms of work culture and job satisfaction.
