Kuwait is the worst expat destination worldwide in the Ease of Settling In Index (59th), with Italy coming in 58th place. This is according to InterNations, which researches the experiences of expats. In the Personal Finance Index (59th), 30% of expats in Italy are dissatisfied with their financial situation (vs. 19% globally). Furthermore, 33% say their disposable household income isn’t enough to cover their expenses (23% globally).
South Africa does not do much better, ranking 57th, performing worst in the Personal Finance Index (55th). Over one-third of expats in South Africa (34%) don’t consider their disposable household income enough to cover their expenses (24% globally), and 57% are satisfied with their financial situation (64% globally).
South Africa is among the bottom ten of the Working Abroad Index (54th) and last in the Economy & Job Security subcategory (59th). Only 47% of expats are satisfied with their job security (61% globally), and 31% are happy with the state of the economy (62% globally).
South Africa ranks in the bottom ten in the Quality of Life Index (52nd), and is last in the Safety & Security subcategory (59th). Thirty-four percent don’t consider South Africa a peaceful country (9% globally) and 24% feel safe there (84% globally).
Taiwan (1st), Malaysia (4th), and Vietnam (10th) are among the ten best expat destinations. Respondents appreciate the local cost of living and its impact on their personal finances — Vietnam is placed first in both indices — but results in other areas of the survey vary.
Expats rate Malaysia second-best in the Ease of Settling In Index. Respondents in Vietnam report the highest levels of overall job satisfaction worldwide.
New Zealand and Australia are ranked sixth and seventh, respectively.
Towards the bottom of the list are Malta (50th), Turkey (52nd), Cyprus (53rd), and Egypt (55th).
Russia (56th), Japan (54th), and India (51st) are also on the list of the 10 worst countries.