- A survey conducted by InterNations among expatriates living in 53 different nations worldwide was carried out.
- EXPLORE FURTHER: As a seasoned traveler, here are some of Europe’s least-known gems you shouldn’t miss
A recent survey has identified the most welcoming nation for expatriates globally, and surprisingly, a country in Central America leads the rankings.
The outcome originates from a survey conducted by InterNations , an expatriate guide that invited foreigners living in 53 different countries worldwide to evaluate their adopted homes.
Expat respondents were queried regarding their social lives, feelings of being settled-in, ease of adapting to the local culture, and perceptions of the locals' amiability.
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 relocate.
Most expatriates (88 percent) report feeling "very welcomed" in Costa Rica, and 83 percent say they feel as though they have found a home there.
Over one-third (35 percent) believe that adapting to the local culture is quite effortless, whereas only 21 percent feel this way globally.
A Canadian expat tells InterNations: 'The locals are generally gentle, lovely people. You learn to adapt to a 'Pura Vida' life in Costa Rica.'
Nine in ten expats rate the local residents as friendly which means it's little surprise that 58 per cent say that finding local friends is easy.
Mexico
Mexico takes second place in the ranking with top marks for its friendly residents.
Almost 75 per cent (73 per cent) of expats are happy with their social life in Mexico while 85 per cent feel welcome there.
Making local friends is easy according to 67 per cent of expats, while 31 per cent say the majority of their friends are Mexican - much higher than the global average of 17 per cent.
A U.S expat tells InterNations: 'Social connections seem important to people here, so they are eager to make new friends, including expats.'
The Philippines
Over forty percent of expatriates (41%) residing in the Philippines, ranked third on this list, mention that their primary friendships are with locals.
Nearly 70 percent (69%) of expatriates find it easy to make local friends in the Philippines, and 68% report being satisfied with their social lives in this Southeast Asian nation.
A UK expatriate tells InterNations: "I enjoy the liberated and casual way of life here. People are always ready for a conversation."
Almost eighty percent of expatriates feel welcomed in the Philippines (85%), and nearly eight out of ten people (78%) report feeling at home there.
The least friendly...
Kuwait
Kuwait is ranked as the most unfriendly nation for expatriates. Just one-quarter of expats report feeling welcomed (26 percent), with nearly half stating they do not feel at home there (49 percent).
Approximately 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 who were surveyed mention that they only befriend other foreigners residing in the Middle Eastern nation.
This might be due to the fact that 61 percent of expatriates find it challenging to form friendships with locals in Kuwait.
Norway
Norway ranks second last on the list. Expats find it very difficult to make local friends in the Nordic country with 67 per cent saying they find it a challenge, while 49 per cent are unhappy with their social life.
Fewer than half of the residents in Norway (49 percent) report feeling at home, whereas 40 percent perceive the locals as unwelcoming.
Expat individuals often struggle with adapting to Norwegian culture, even when they possess good language abilities.
A Kenyan expat tells InterNations: 'No matter how advanced my Norwegian language skills are, I still can't seem to make Norwegian friends.'
Germany
Germany also ranks poorly, coming third from bottom for friendliness with 32 per cent of expats saying they don't feel welcome there.
Fewer than 40 per cent (39 per cent) of expats find local residents friendly while 65 per cent say they struggle to make local friends in Germany.
A Czech expatriate tells InterNations: "Forming friendships with Germans can be challenging since they often stick to their groups of friends from early childhood or school."
Read more
EmoticonEmoticon