The 12 Worst Countries for Living Abroad According to Expats

A one-bedroom apartment in Ireland averages $1,615 per month, and inflation in Turkey hits 52%. While some countries make it easier to settle down, some places rank particularly low when trying to build a new life abroad.

InterNations recently released a report highlighting the worst places for expats to live abroad based on factors like ease of settling in, cost of living, job opportunities, and quality of life. Below are the places ranked as the least favorable places for expats.

Sweden

Sweden has taken a massive drop in the rankings, falling from 24th to 42nd on the list of worst countries for living abroad. While jobs in Sweden offer high salaries, the cost of living is equally steep, with a one-bedroom apartment costing around $936 a month.

Expats also face a shortage in housing in Sweden, driven by the increasing number of immigrants seeking a high quality of life. Sweden is also among the “loneliest” countries in the world, with over 5.7 million unmarried people.

Hungary

Hungary has seen a decline in its ranking, dropping from 34th to 43rd. Only its capital, Budapest, has a fully accessible metro system, and most rural areas are still under development. Rent is also relatively expensive, with a one-bedroom apartment averaging around $929 monthly.

The Hungarian government has been working to improve the overall quality of life, focusing on increasing life expectancy by implementing smoking bans and imposing additional taxes on alcohol, tobacco, and unhealthy foods.

United Kingdom

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The United Kingdom ranks 43rd among the worst places for expats. The country’s exit from the European Union has significantly impacted freedom of movement, making it necessary for those from EU countries to obtain a work or study visa.

While the average salary in the UK is fairly high, the cost of living remains high, with even a “cheap” one-bedroom apartment averaging around $1,111.

Ireland

Ireland has fallen from 39th to 45th in the rankings of worst places for expats, largely due to its high cost of living. Rent prices are sky-high, with a one-bedroom apartment averaging around $1,615 per month. Additionally, expats find it hard to adjust to Ireland’s primarily Catholic and culturally patriarchal society.

Malta

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Malta, retaining its 2023 ranking, remains one of the worst places for expats. As a popular tourist destination, It sees an annual influx of crowds during peak seasons.

A one-bedroom apartment is also pretty expensive, averaging around $895 a month, which can be quite high given the island’s small size and dense population. On the upside, Malta is known for being a relatively safe country.

Italy

Italy also retains its 2023 ranking, landing 47th place. Expats face challenges with career opportunities in Italy, reporting issues with adjusting to the local work culture and finding stable employment.

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Expats find accessing government services in Italy challenging, with the lack of digital options and bureaucracy. On the positive side, rent in Italy is relatively lower compared to other countries, with a one-bedroom apartment averaging around $729 a month.

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Norway

Norway moved from 52nd place in 2023 to 48th in 2024 in the Internations survey of the worst places for expats. However, the quality of life in Norway is top-notch, with a strong work-life balance and excellent digital services.

Renting a one-bedroom apartment remains expensive, averaging around $1,082 a month. Norway also ranks poorly in terms of ease of settling in, largely because of its cold climate, which can make it difficult for expats to adjust.

Canada

While Canada ranked 28th in 2023, it drops significantly to 49th in 2024, joining the list of worst places for expats. While Canada is known for its diversity, multicultural environment, and excellent healthcare system, many expats report issues with work hours, job security, and a tough job market.

The cost of living in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver is also generally high, with rent for a one-bedroom apartment averaging about $1,185 per month.

Germany

Germany slips one spot from 49th to 50th in 2024. Expats generally complain about the country’s digital services, facing problems with cashless payment options and access to high-speed internet. Germany also ranks poorly in terms of ease of settling in, with expats noting that locals seem less welcoming towards foreign residents.

On the bright side, rent in Germany is relatively lower compared to other countries on this list, with a one-bedroom apartment averaging around $777 per month.

Finland

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Finland, which previously ranked 16th in 2023, also joins the list of worst places for expats in 2024 at 51st place. While rent is relatively affordable at around $747 a month for a one-bedroom apartment, the high cost of living—largely due to high taxes—poses a challenge for many expats.

Additionally, Finland’s cold climate and long, dark winters contribute to difficulties in settling in. Despite having accessible transportation options, expats often struggle to socialize and build connections in Finland.

Turkey

Turkey ranks among the worst places for expats on the 52nd place. InterNations rates the country last regarding working abroad due to limited career opportunities, a lack of job security, and unfavorable working hours.

The language barrier is another significant issue, as Turkish is considered a moderately difficult language to learn. Rent in Turkey is affordable, with a one-bedroom apartment averaging around $398 monthly. However, inflation is extremely high compared to other countries on this list.

Kuwait

Kuwait continues to rank last in the list of worst places for expats, holding the bottom spot for the seventh year in a row. While finding housing in Kuwait is relatively easy, it can be expensive, with a one-bedroom apartment costing around $834 a month.

The country’s hot climate and limited public transportation options make it difficult for many expats to adapt. Kuwait also struggles with insufficient healthcare services and issues in local bureaucracy, where red tape often complicates everyday tasks.