Retirement daydreams often start the same way. A change of scenery, a lower cost of living, maybe a beach or a cobblestone plaza just outside the door. A new global survey of nearly 7,800 expats suggests some of those daydreams are backed by real data, while others could lead to a very expensive disappointment.
InterNations, the world’s largest expat community, released its 2026 Expat Insider report after surveying expats representing 162 nationalities across 31 countries. Respondents rated their adopted homes on everything from healthcare and safety to how easy it is to make friends, and the results reveal a wide gap between the places where relocating pays off and the places where it clearly does not.
Panama holds its crown for a third straight year
Panama topped the list again, and the reasons read like a checklist for anyone eyeing retirement abroad. It ranks near the top for affordability, ease of settling in, and overall happiness, with 94 percent of expats there saying they are content with their life. Mexico and Thailand followed close behind, both prized for low costs and welcoming communities. Thailand, Panama, Mexico and Brazil topped the happiness rankings outright.
Rounding out the top ten were the UAE, Brazil, Spain, Singapore, Portugal, Malaysia and Luxembourg. Affordability was the common thread among the strongest performers, with Panama, Thailand, Mexico, Portugal and Malaysia all landing in the top five for personal finance.
Norway sits dead last, and it is not close
The most surprising result may be Norway, a country consistently ranked among the world’s happiest places to actually be born in, finishing 31st out of 31 destinations for expats. Fewer than half of expats there report being satisfied with their life abroad, compared to 70 percent globally. Germany, Türkiye and the United Kingdom also landed near the bottom, and Canada, often assumed to be an easy, friendly relocation option for Americans, ranked a disappointing 27th.
A twist that hits close to home
Here is the detail that should catch the attention of anyone reading from the United States. Expats living in America itself rank the country 20th out of 31 overall, and dead last for quality of life. The complaints center on healthcare, with the US finishing at the bottom for both affordability and equal access to medical care. Work life balance, public transportation and political stability also drew sharp criticism. The one bright spot was leisure, where expats praised the dining scene and recreational options. The country did score well for career prospects, ranking third in the world for job market strength, a reminder that professional opportunity and quality of life do not always move together.
What this means before you book a one way ticket
For travelers weighing a longer stay abroad rather than a two week vacation, this survey is a useful reality check. The most charming destination on a map is not always the one where daily life runs smoothly. Panama, Mexico and Portugal continue to combine affordability with genuine ease of settling in, while a country’s reputation for general happiness, as Norway proves, does not always translate into a good experience for newcomers building a life there from scratch.
Before committing to any relocation, it is worth digging into the specifics that matter most personally, whether that is healthcare access, visa complexity or how quickly locals welcome outsiders, rather than relying on postcard impressions alone.
This article draws on original research and data from InterNations’ Expat Insider 2026 survey, with additional reporting from Forbes, Euronews, and Relocate Magazine.
Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.