Most and Least Welcoming Countries for Expats: From Warm Locals to Cultural Challenges Worldwide

by admin | Mar 16, 2025 | culture, living abroad, relocation, Travel, world

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  A survey conducted by InterNations among expatriates living in 53 different nations worldwide revealed some insights.
  
  
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  EXPLORE FURTHER: As a seasoned traveler, here are some of Europe’s least-known gems you shouldn’t miss
  

A recent survey has unveiled which nation ranks as the most welcoming place for expatriates globally, placing an Central American location at the top of the chart.

The outcome stems from a survey conducted by
InterNations
, a guide for expats, where foreigners living in 53 different countries worldwide were asked to rate their adopted homes.

Foreigners were queried regarding their social activities, if they felt like they had settled in, how easily they adapted to the cultural environment, and the amiability of the locals.

Therefore, where are the most welcoming locations for expats to relocate?

The friendliest…

Costa Rica

Costa Rica
tops the list as the most welcoming nation for expats looking to move abroad.

Most expatriates (88 percent) find themselves very welcomed in Costa Rica, and 83 percent report feeling at home there.

Over one-third (35 percent) believe that adapting to the local culture is quite simple, as opposed to only 21 percent globally.

A Canadian expatriate shares with InterNations: “The residents here are typically kind and delightful individuals. Over time, you get accustomed to embracing the ‘Pura Vida’ way of life in Costa Rica.”

With nine out of every ten expatriates deeming the locals as welcoming, it comes as no shock that 58 percent find forming friendships with people from this area quite straightforward.

Mexico

Mexico secures the second spot in the rankings thanks to high scores for its welcoming inhabitants.

Nearly 75 percent (73 percent) of expatriates report being satisfied with their social lives in Mexico, and an impressive 85 percent say they feel welcomed there.

According to 67 percent of expatriates, making local friends is straightforward. However, only 31 percent mention that most of their friends are Mexican, which significantly exceeds the worldwide average of 17 percent.

An American expatriate shares with InterNations: “Making social connections appears to be significant for locals, hence their enthusiasm in befriending newcomers, such as expats.”

The Philippines

Over forty percent of expatriates (41%) residing in the Philippines, which holds the third position on the ranking, mention that their primary friendships are with locals.

Nearly 70 percent (specifically 69 percent) of expatriates find it easy to make local friends in the Philippines, whereas 68 percent express satisfaction with their social lives in this Southeast Asian nation.

A UK expatriate shares with InterNations: “I adore the relaxed and unrestricted way of life here. People are always ready for a conversation.”

Almost eight out of ten expatriates feel welcomed in the Philippines (85 percent), and roughly four out of five (78 percent) report feeling at home there.

The least friendly…

Kuwait

Kuwait is ranked as the least welcoming nation for expatriates. Just one-fourth of these individuals feel welcomed in Kuwait (26 percent), and nearly half (49 percent) do not feel at home there.

Slightly less than half (47 percent) of the respondents find it challenging to adapt to the local culture, whereas merely 22 percent express satisfaction with their social life in Kuwait.

Over half (53 percent) of the expatriates interviewed mentioned that their friendships are limited to other foreigners residing in the Middle Eastern nation.

This might be due to the fact that 61 percent of expatriates mention finding it challenging to form friendships with locals in Kuwait.

Norway

Norway is placed near the bottom of the rankings. Many expatriates struggle to form local friendships in this Scandinavian nation, as indicated by 67 percent who say it’s challenging for them. Additionally, 49 percent express dissatisfaction with their social lives.

Fewer than half of the residents in Norway (49 percent) report feeling at home, whereas 40 percent perceive the locals as unwelcoming.

Foreigners also struggle to adapt to the local culture in Norway – and having language skills doesn’t appear to make much of a difference.

An expatriate from Kenya told InterNations, “Regardless of how proficient my Norwegian language abilities have become, I still struggle to form friendships with Norwegians.”

Germany

Germany likewise performs poorly, placing third from last in terms of friendliness with 32 percent of expatriates feeling unwelcome there.

Less than 40 percent (39 percent) of expatriates consider locals friendly in Germany, whereas 65 percent mention difficulty in forming friendships with people from the area.

A foreigner from the Czech Republic shares with InterNations: “Making friends with Germans can be challenging because typically, they tend to stick with their group of pals formed back in nursery school or during their education.”

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