With inflation, lack of housing, and the high global living costs that dominate newspaper headlines, the ability to afford costs has become one of the most important concerns related to expatriates all over the world. However, while some countries offer financial relief and long -term security, others still represent a financial challenge despite their global attractiveness.
According to 2025 internal studies coveredVietnam was crowned again The most affordable countries in the world for expatriates Fifth year in a row. At the other end of the spectrum, Canada occupies salaries as a lower reasonable destination In terms of personal financial.
The report that surrounded the poll More than 10,000 loans across 46 destinationsThey asked the respondents to evaluate their financial situation, the cost of living, and whether the income of the family available to get rid of it is sufficient for a comfortable life.
The 10 best countries are affordable for expatriates (2025)
| Rank | nation | % Satisfied with the cost of living | % Saying income is enough | Note visions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vietnam | 89 % | 87 % | 54 % live there 5 years; 30 % want to stay permanently |
| 2 | Colombia | 88 % | 92 % | There is no cost of living that has been marked with an expatriate as disturbing |
| 3 | Panama | 84 % | 85 % | 35 % of expatriates from retirees (compared to 11 % global average) |
| 4 | China | 78 % | 81 % | Healthcare and dining were killed at reasonable prices as benefits |
| 5 | Thailand | 85 % | 83 % | Popularity of the digital nomad and retirees |
| 6 | Indonesia | 82 % | 80 % | The decrease in housing and daily expenses has been reported |
| 7 | Philipini | 83 % | 79 % | High satisfaction with the integrity of society |
| 8 | Mexico | 80 % | 77 % | For a long time for us retired people |
| 9 | Malaysia | 81 % | 78 % | I moved from the eleventh position in 2024 |
| 10 | Brazil | 76 % | 74 % | Reasonable lifestyle despite economic fluctuations |
Main meals:
Five out of 10 countries in Southeast AsiaHighlighting the dominance of the continuous area in the ability to afford costs. Low health care costs, cheaper housing, and inexpensive dining make these destinations attractive to both younger and retired professionals.
According to OECDand Expatriates in Southeast Asia spend up to 40 % on average in housing and facilities compared to Europe and North America.
Why does Vietnam lead the package
Vietnam is not only cheap, but it is comfortable. Almost 9 out of 10 expatriates are satisfied with the cost of living, compared to the global average of only 40 %.
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The ability to withstand housing costs: The apartments in major cities, such as the city of Hoshi Minh and Hanoi, are much lower than Western equations.
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Food and Transport: Street food, local markets, and effective motorcycle transport keep daily expenses low.
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Society integration: 54 % of expatriates in Vietnam lived for more than five years, with 30 % planning to stay indefinitely.
This financial breathing room explains the reason Vietnam remains a long -term option.
Colombia and Panama: Expatriate magnets in Latin America
Colombia ranked second in general thanks to the overwhelming positive reactions around the available income. amazing 92 % of expatriates said that their income is enough to live comfortablyCompared with the global average of 69 %.
Panama, at the same time, continues to attract retirees. One in three expatriates there is already retired, three times the global average. Country “Retirement Program”Which gives retirees to health care, transportation and entertainment, which increases their attractiveness.
The best 10 countries are reasonable for expatriates (2025)
| The rank of (global) | nation | % Not satisfied with the cost of living | Major visions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | Norway | 58 % | High taxes, housing is expensive |
| 38 | Australia | 60 % | The high real estate prices in Sydney and Melbourne |
| 39 | Ireland | 59 % | Housing lack and high rents |
| 40 | South Korea | 63 % | 25 places decreased from 2024; Seoul’s rents rose |
| 41 | Singapore | 62 % | Among the most expensive cities in the world |
| 42 | Qatar | 61 % | A rapid decrease in the ability to withstand costs against 2024 |
| 43 | Türkiye | 57 % | Inflation is still a continuous challenge |
| 44 | Finland | 60 % | High taxes compensate for social benefits |
| 45 | UK | 61 % | Housing is expensive, facilities and child care |
| 46 | Canada | 62 % | The least reasonable prices is the cost of higher dissatisfaction |
Why is Canada and the United Kingdom ranking at the bottom?
Despite their global reputation as desirable destinations, Canada and the United Kingdom classify the lowest countries at reasonable prices for expatriates in 2025.
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Canada: 62 % of expatriates reported that they are not satisfied with the cost of living, especially housing in cities such as Toronto and Vancouver. According to the 2024 CMHC report, Canadian housing costs have reached its lowest level in 30 years.
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UK: 61 % of the arrivals expressed dissatisfaction, noting the high costs of rent in London and the expenses of the country.
For comparison, and The rate of global dissatisfaction with the cost of living is only 40 %Show how much the ability to afford costs in these countries.
Global trends and regional patterns
The poll reveals several important trends:
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Southeast Asia dominates the ability to afford costs With Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia, it offers high satisfaction rates.
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Europe is fighting – A European country has not appeared in the list of the 10 best list of reasonable prices. Instead, many European countries rank the least reasonable.
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Middle East mixed image – While Qatar slipped down 10, other Gulf states remain out of pronunciation.
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North America is difficult The United States (35th) and Canada (46) recorded a bad, reflecting inflationary pressures.
Supporting research on the ability to bear the costs of expatriates
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Wiping the cost of living for 2024 Mercer Also rank Singapore, Zurich, and Hong Kong It is also among the most expensive cities in the world for expatriates.
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Numbeo global cost of living index He explains that the ability to withstand housing costs is the largest engineering engine among expatriates, especially in advanced economies.
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2025 OECD report He highlighted that the ability to afford costs dictates immigration decisions increasingly, as the Bedouin chooses digital Low -cost centers in Asia and Latin America.
Final ideas
the 2025 Report beginning of the expatriate What many international citizens already know emphasizes: Searching for the ability to withstand costs is to reshape where expatriates choose to live, work and retire.
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Winners: Southeast Asia and parts of Latin America remain the best stake for financial comfort, as Vietnam and Colombia lead the road.
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The losers: Rich countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom and Singapore offer high salaries, but they erase the feature with the costs of the unemployed.
For expatriates who weigh their options, the ability to bear the costs is more than just a feature-it is the basis for long-term stability and lifestyle satisfaction.
Also read: The 10 best American cities to buy homes for the first time on everyone with less than $ 250,000
