Top 10 Countries in the World for a Comfortable Life

The end of the year is a period for reflecting on achievements, compiling various rankings, and summarizing key indicators. GARANT.in, a licensed agency, presents its ranking: the Top 10 Countries in the World for Comfortable Living. This list is based on multiple factors: safety, healthcare quality, average income levels, housing affordability, unemployment rates, environmental quality, education standards, and more.

In this overview, we’ll discuss the criteria used to evaluate the quality of life in different countries, the best countries for various lifestyle aspects, and the overall ranking of the best places to live.

Main Criteria for Evaluating Quality of Life

Each rating agency uses different factors to assess living standards. To determine the comfort of living in a particular country, the following criteria are considered:

1. Healthcare System
   Evaluations focus on the quality of medical care, access to qualified personnel and well-equipped facilities, and average life expectancy. Accessible and quality healthcare reduces disease prevalence and enhances overall well-being.

2. Housing Affordability and Living Conditions
   This considers the cost of renting or purchasing property, housing quality, and space availability. Countries offering affordable, high-quality housing proportional to average incomes rank higher in quality-of-life indices.

3. Education
   Accessibility to primary, secondary, and higher education and literacy levels are measured. Countries with robust, inclusive education systems allow citizens to acquire valuable skills for adapting to modern demands.

4. Safety
   A key factor ensuring both comfort and peace of mind. Low crime rates and efficient law enforcement contribute to a sense of security among residents and citizens.

5. Environmental Conditions
   Air and water quality, noise levels, and pollution are evaluated. Programs for environmental protection, such as waste management, reforestation, and conservation of rare species, also play a significant role.

6. Income Levels and Affordability
   This reflects how much the population earns and what goods and services they can afford. Higher income levels allow people to meet basic needs and pursue savings, investments, travel, and leisure.

7. Unemployment Rate
   Job availability and earning potential significantly impact individuals’ ability to support themselves and their families. Low unemployment correlates with reduced poverty levels and improved overall well-being.

8. Political Stability
   A stable political environment fosters economic growth and confidence in the future.

9. Climate
   A key factor influencing expatriates' choice of residence. A warm, mild climate appeals to families with children, retirees, digital nomads, and sailing or diving enthusiasts.

Easiest Ways to Attain Residency

Residency can often be secured by investing in a country’s economy, provided relevant programs are available. Other pathways include marriage, education, family reunification, employment, company registration, and demonstrating financial independence.

Best Countries for Living: An Overview

Before delving into the top 10, here’s a quick overview of countries excelling in specific areas:

• Best for Business Registration: New Zealand, Singapore, Canada, Luxembourg, USA.
• Work-Life Balance: Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic, France, Denmark.
• Healthcare and Wellness: Qatar, Spain, Taiwan, Luxembourg, South Korea.
• Safety: Portugal, Iceland, Norway, Canada, Denmark, Japan.
• Mild Climate: Portugal, Spain, Australia.
• Career Development: Switzerland, Australia, UAE, USA.
• Investment Returns: Greece, Hungary, Spain, Portugal.

Spotlight on Specific Countries

Spain 

As you can see, the Kingdom of Spain is featured in many destinations. According to Expat Insider 2023, Spain is one of the top five destinations for expats. Also, according to the Digital Nomad Visa Index for 2023, Spain is the #1 destination for digital nomads. 

In terms of quality of life, the country is a leader: there are many opportunities for quality vacations, it is easy to make new friends and partners, good sunny weather, and a mild climate. Residents note the availability and quality of medical services, proximity, and high level of public transportation. For many people, an important factor is the free expression of themselves, their thoughts, and their views.

Spain's economy ranks 5th in the European Union, which forms a large domestic market for goods and services, giving entrepreneurs access to a wide base of customers. Often Spain is chosen by those who plan to link their future with running a tourism business. The Kingdom ranks 2nd among the best countries for tourism business, based on information from the World Economic Forum. Here is one of the most developed tourist infrastructure in the world.

Among all the advantages of the country, it is impossible not to mention its affordable cost of living. To maintain a similar standard of living in France, you need to earn 1.32 times more, and in Switzerland - 2.28 times more! 

A residence permit in Spain is still available for investment in the economy with a minimum contribution of 500,000 €, as a financially independent person with an income of 28,880 €, and as a digital nomad with an income of 2,646 € per month. Other types of grounds also apply - study, marriage, family reunification, employment, and others. With any type of residence permit, it is possible to apply for citizenship by naturalization.

France

Another popular destination among expats is the Republic of France. According to U.S. News & World Report, the country ranks 12th in terms of living comfort. The standard working week here lasts 35 hours and employees are paid extra for overtime. Instead of extra pay, employees can get additional time for rest. Employers provide from 9 to 11 such paid days per year, making France one of the most generous countries for vacation. It is in France that there is a perfect balance between work and rest. To support this thesis, let's take the example of a law that came out in 2017. According to the bill, employees can ignore work-related messages that come outside of working hours! The purpose of the legislative act is to minimize stress and reduce burnout from work. 

France is among the top 9 countries in terms of salaries for foreign professionals. The average income of specialists is $246,400 per year. The most highly paid spheres are recognized as the financial industry, innovative technologies, medicine, engineering, medicine, education, and tourism. France ranks 11th out of 133 in the introduction of modern innovative achievements in various spheres of activity. 

One of the most popular grounds for obtaining a residence permit in France is employment. For the year 2023, the French Republic issued over 58,000 cards to resident foreigners. It is possible to obtain residency status either through employment in a French company or through the Passport-Talent program. If the applicant has a stable passive income and does not plan to work in France, he can move to the country on a Visitor visa. This is an analog of a residence permit card, which can be extended an unlimited number of times. With any type of residence permit, it is possible to apply for citizenship by naturalization.

Canada 

According to U.S. News & World Report, Canada is ranked as the 4th best place to live. If we analyze the data from the Expat Insider 2023 ranking, we can see that Canada ranks 7th as one of the best destinations for expatriate employees. In 2022, almost 600,000 foreign professionals were recorded in the country, which is 240% more than in 2015. The current programs allow attract specialists from foreign countries to develop various industries - engineering, finance, healthcare, and IT.    

One of the most popular immigration programs is a startup visa to Canada. The permit allows one to get a residence permit in Canada for 3 years at once and after 3 years it is allowed to apply for citizenship. The candidate needs to invest in an innovative project from 250 000 $ and undergo mandatory training in a business incubator. Most often Canadian programs for startups are designed for 6-12 months. 

The most attractive cities in terms of business development and career ladder are recognized as Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. In addition to stability in the economy and excellent prospects for development, these cities are famous for their beautiful scenic nature. 

Switzerland 
U.S. News & World Report and the Legatum Institute have recognized the Swiss Confederation as the best destination for starting and running your own business. The country is also ranked as a leader in comfortable living. No wonder the country has one of the most stable economies and a low unemployment index of only 3.9%. For comparison, the average rate in the European Union is 5.9%. Based on the Index of Economic Freedom 2024, Switzerland ranks 2nd out of 184 in terms of economic freedom. Entrepreneurs can easily start their own businesses, and develop professional projects with minimal paperwork. Registering a new business takes only 2-3 weeks in Switzerland.  It is necessary to submit documents to the Commercial Register, open a bank account for a legal entity, and deposit the minimum authorized capital. Corporate tax is calculated at the rate of 11-22%, all will depend on the canton. It is worth understanding that each canton is not only an individual tax regime, but even its own laws and constitution. 

The Swiss Institute IMD put the country in second place by the level of economic competitiveness. Huge trading corporations known all over the world operate here, which opens up great opportunities for scientists, engineers, and technology specialists to grow and develop.
One of the main disadvantages of Switzerland is the high cost of living. To maintain an average standard of living, it is necessary to earn 1.5-2 times more than in other EU countries. Despite this, the Swiss themselves say that their satisfaction with life is 9.6 points out of 10.

Switzerland is also a leader in the introduction of innovative developments, based on the Global Innovation Index 2023. The state invests huge budgets in research and development of the following important areas - biotechnology, robotics, artificial intelligence, and pharmacological industry. The Innosuisse agency provides grants for successful start-ups in such areas as biotechnology, medical technology, artificial intelligence, and IT development. 

It is possible to obtain a Swiss residence permit through employment, marriage to a foreign citizen, and education. Residence permit for financially independent people involves the payment of an annual lump-sum tax in the amount of 450 000-1 500 000 Swiss francs. Everything will depend on the level of income of the applicant and the canton where he lives.

United States of America
U.S. News & World Report ranks the United States as the 3rd most comfortable country to live in. One of the priority areas why many foreign citizens choose the USA is getting a quality education. 25 American universities are among the top 100 best higher education institutions, according to QS World University Rankings 2025, and this is every 4th university in the U.S.!

The leading place is occupied by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The university is famous for its outstanding developments in engineering, computer science, physics, and biotechnology. For example, in 2017, researchers at the institute developed a robot that can erect buildings using 3D printing. 

The US has many institutions of higher education designed to provide education in the arts, acting, and directing. The country has prestigious schools, whose graduates are the brightest stars of modern cinema, television, and theater stage.  

Many universities provide grants and scholarships. For example, for talented students at Harvard, there is a special program that covers up to 100% of expenses if the annual family income of the applicant is below $85,000. Students who show themselves in art, cinema, and theater, can apply for scholarships or grants from sponsors, private foundations, and universities.  
You can get a chance to move to the U.S. through an EB-5 visa or an E-2 investor authorization. Both types of authorization allow you to move to the U.S., live and work. You must invest personal capital in an existing American business and wait for approval. A spouse and children under the age of 21 can be included in the application. A faster way to obtain a U.S. visa is through citizenship in Turkey or one of the Caribbean countries. 

Germany

Germany is one of the best countries for family migration. The country's strong and developed economy supports the development of the labor and employment market. Germany is constantly in need of qualified specialists in their field. Special emphasis is placed on industries such as medical services, information technology, engineering, bioengineering, and others. Of all the countries in the G7, Germany is the 2nd largest country in terms of the number of vacancies in the labor market. The constant number of vacancies indicates that there is an acute shortage of specialists in various fields in the country. The combination of these factors together with high wages allows people of working age to find an interesting job with a good level of pay. There are also many offices of well-known international corporations in Germany, so you can always be confident in your employers. 
Why take a closer look at employment in Germany? The government clearly adheres to the implementation of labor laws, and all rights and guarantees of employees are 100% respected. When working in Germany, you can be sure that the employer clearly respects working conditions, vacation, and sick leave periods.  

In addition to excellent working conditions, Germany offers a high standard of living - a well-developed and accessible healthcare system, and ample opportunities for development and recreation. Life in Germany is quite rich and varied - there are numerous cultural and historical monuments, rich heritage, quite a mild climate, and extensive opportunities for recreation waiting for the country's visitors and residents. The safety of citizens is highly valued in the country, so you can be sure that the state has taken all the necessary measures to protect residents and their rights.

It is possible to get a residence permit in Germany through employment, marriage, and education, for financially independent applicants. Residents living legally can obtain citizenship by naturalization.

Portugal
According to Expat Insider's rankings, Portugal has made it into the top 10 countries for expat migration this year. Apart from the obvious advantages of a beautiful climate, plenty of sunshine, the ocean, and a fairly low cost of living, the most important advantages for residents are security and low crime rates. It is not only employment or investors who seek to migrate here, digital nomads have recently taken to this country.

It is important to note that Portugal is one of the most affordable countries in the entire European Union. The subsistence minimum here is 820 €, and food, entertainment, and housing are much cheaper than in neighboring countries.   

High level of security plus high quality of life - these are the main “trump cards” of this country. For example, in the European rating of cities with the best quality of life in 2024 from the portal Numbeo Porto takes 12th place. Lisbon ranks 83rd out of 195 best and most comfortable cities in the world. Lisbon also ranks 2nd in the ranking of the best cities for raising children. Here is a safe environment, many types of entertainment and recreation, and a great opportunity to get a versatile education. 
There are many advantages to living in Portugal. For example, it is affordable and high-quality health care. The healthcare system can be used by all segments of the population, and private and public medicine is available. Another important plus is the mild Mediterranean climate, ideal for those who cannot stand the harsh cold. It can be chilly in winter, but it is rare for Portugal to be visited by hard freezing days. Fans of the rich cultural heritage will have plenty to do, as the country is full of historical monuments - natural reserves, man-made structures, and simply beautiful places. The Algarve, Lisbon, and Porto are recognized as the most popular cities for expats. 

You can get a residence permit in Portugal for investment - the state offers several options for investment, residency through work, study, marriage, and more. Citizenship can be obtained by naturalization.

Turkey

Turkey is a great place in many ways: to study, live, work, and do business. A Turkish passport opens up opportunities for visa-free travel to 110 countries, the ability to get an investor visa and a business visa to the U.S., and other promising chances. Everything seems to be concentrated in one country: mild Mediterranean climate, affordable cost of products and services, beautiful nature, rich cultural heritage, freedom of self-expression.
It is cheaper to live in Turkey than in many European countries. According to Numbeo, it is about 50% cheaper to live in Turkey than in Germany. Registering a business in Turkey takes about two hours. The full process of preparation of all constituent documents with obtaining a certificate on the basis of the business project takes no more than a week. 

The country has a well-developed healthcare system. There is even a concept of medical tourism in Turkey. Citizens of European countries come here for recovery, treatment, and surgical interventions. The level of medical services is quite high, and the cost is quite low.

Turkey has a high level of security. Many residential complexes are equipped with modern video surveillance systems. Children and girls can freely walk the streets even in the late hours of the day. Also, excellent relations with neighbors are very developed here. Often neighbors help with moving, settling in a new place, and buying medicines and other household trifles.

You can get a residence permit in Turkey when buying real estate, employment, or education. Also, Turkey offers to get a passport of the country when investing in the economy from 400 000 $. Investments should be kept for at least 3 years, and then realized at will, keeping the passport and privileges.

Cyprus
The island in the Mediterranean Sea attracts investors, young families, digital nomads, and people of all incomes and ages. The mild Mediterranean climate attracts a large number of people who want to live here permanently. The advantages of Cyprus include a high standard of living, an abundance of various interesting places, despite the fact that it is a rather small island, a high level of security, a large number of people communicating in English and Russian, and an excellent education system.

Cyprus ranks 4th among the countries with an excellent level of ecology, which is optimal for living with small children. When analyzing the indicator take into account such conditions as water quality, comfort and availability of housing, the state of children's areas, accessibility, and infrastructure. After graduating from international schools, students can enter prestigious universities in Europe and the USA. 

For those who plan to relocate to Cyprus as a tax resident, there are also advantages - no taxation on certain types of income, low corporate tax rate - of 12.5%, and the opportunity to become a tax resident in 60 days, not 183 days.
To become a resident of Cyprus, it is necessary to buy residential or commercial real estate for an amount of 300,000 € or more. The main advantage - Cyprus offers, unlike other countries with similar programs, the status of a residence permit for investment, not a residence permit. Permanent residence permit - a permanent status that is granted for life and can be passed on to children. The resident will only need to renew their ID card periodically. 

Italy

Italy is a popular destination among job seekers. The European country with delicious cuisine, a mild Mediterranean climate, plenty of historical locations, rich history, sunny, singing and so alluring. Friendly people, a high standard of living, and well-developed medicine attract more and more expats here. In Italy, everyone will find their unique rhythm that suits them. Some are drawn to small towns with their quiet, unhurried atmosphere, while others enjoy life in a bustling, energetic metropolis.  

Italy ranks 11th in terms of GDP, and the cost of housing, services, and products is quite affordable. Developed infrastructure, high life expectancy, and excellent transportation systems play an important role in favor of immigration. 

Among all countries of the world, Italy ranks 30th in quality of life. The average life expectancy in the country is 83 years and this indicator is steadily growing, which testifies to the perfectly developed healthcare system, the health of the nation, and the effectiveness of health improvement programs implemented by the state.

It is possible to obtain an Italian residence permit through marriage, education, employment, registration of a company, and opening a representative office. For financially independent persons who receive income outside the country, there is an opportunity to apply for a residence permit “Selected residence”. For digital nomads, Italy has launched a Nomad Visa Program in 2024. It is possible to obtain citizenship of the country through naturalization.

Of course, the above list of countries is far from complete. Each person has his or her own criteria that he or she will apply to another state. For our part, we are ready to provide comprehensive assistance in collecting and processing documents, obtaining visas, residence permits or permanent residence permits for migration to a new country for you. Start the year right - with a new beautiful future, and we will provide the necessary legal support at every stage.