Compare healthcare, cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Click any column header to sort by that metric. Click again to reverse the sort order.
Use the search box to filter countries by name or region.
All scores are normalized to 0-100 scale, with 100 being the best. Rankings are compiled from multiple independent sources (see Sources section below).
The highlighted reference countries at the bottom of the list (US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) are always shown so you can compare popular retirement destinations against where you likely live now. They are not ranked as top retirement destinations — their lower overall scores primarily reflect higher cost of living, not deficiencies in healthcare, safety, or quality of life.
| Rank | Country | Region | Overall Score | Healthcare | Cost of Living | Safety | Quality of Life | Ease of Entry | Expat Community |
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Primary Data Sources:
InterNations Expat Insider Report - Annual survey of 12,000+ expats across 50+ countries. Provides rankings on quality of life, ease of settling, working abroad, and personal finance. Learn more →
International Living Annual Global Retirement Index - Comprehensive analysis of retirement destinations including healthcare, cost of living, climate, visa requirements, and retirement benefits. Learn more →
Numbeo - World's largest cost of living database with user-contributed data on healthcare quality, safety indices, quality of life, and purchasing power. Learn more →
Global Peace Index - Published by the Institute for Economics and Peace, measuring safety and security across 163 countries based on 23 indicators. Learn more →
World Health Organization (WHO) - Healthcare system performance rankings and health statistics. Learn more →
U.S. State Department Travel Advisories - Safety and security information for American travelers and expats. Learn more →
Disclaimer: Rankings are compiled from publicly available data and indices as of February 2026. Scores are normalized and weighted to create comparable metrics across sources. Individual experiences may vary. This tool is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. Always conduct your own research and consult with qualified professionals before making relocation decisions.
About the Reference Countries: The United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are pinned to the list as home-country reference points. Their lower overall scores reflect the higher cost of living in those countries relative to most popular expat destinations — not lower healthcare, safety, or quality of life.
Last Updated: February 2026. Data sources are updated periodically. Check individual source websites for the most current information.