Friendliest Countries 2025

What are the friendliest countries in the world? Whether one is an expat permanently relocating or a tourist just passing through, it is much easier to feel comfortable when the people of a country are welcoming and friendly, with a positive attitude toward out-of-towners and other cultures—and some countries are much friendlier than others.

To be clear, “friendliness” is entirely dependent upon each individual’s personal experiences—it is entirely possible to feel unwelcome in a friendly country or welcome in an unfriendly country, depending upon the people and situations. However, when enough personal experiences are combined, trends can and do emerge.

Expat-focused website InterNations conducts an annual survey of expats to find out which countries are most welcoming to expats and foreign travelers. The survey measures several metrics, including the ease of learning the language, the quality of the environment and health care systems, and how friendly each country’s people are toward expats. The 2024 survey garnered more than 12,500 respondents who represented 175 nationalities and lived in 174 different countries.

Top 10 Friendliest Countries in the World (2024 InterNations)

Some popular travel destinations such as the United Kingdom, France, and the United States fell into the ranks of the unfriendly or rude countries in the survey, placing 28th, 27th, and 42nd (out of 53), respectively. The ranks in this survey change dramatically within a few years as many factors can greatly affect a country’s attitude towards foreign travelers or expats.

The United Kingdom, for example, has placed as high as the 19th friendliest country and as low as 56th. One Portuguese expat explained that he believes Brexit had something to do with the decreased friendliness in the country. Some of the least friendly countries for expats are Germany, Kuwait, and Turkey.

The Friendliest Countries in the World for Expats

Pushing Mexico to spot #2 since the previous year, Panama topped the list as the friendliest country for expats in 2024 — and it’s easy to see why. Expats love the affordable housing, great weather, and easy visa process. Nearly 90% said their income covers a comfortable life, and over 80% are happy with their overall experience. It’s also a breeze to settle in, make local friends, and enjoy a balanced lifestyle. Whether for retiring or working remotely, Panama’s welcoming vibe and laid-back charm make it a favorite destination for expats from all corners of the world.

Coming in at #2 in InterNations’ 2024 rankings for friendliness toward expats, Mexico continues to win hearts with its warmth and vibrancy. Nearly 9 in 10 expats say they’re happy living there, thanks to friendly locals, a strong sense of welcome, and a culture that’s easy to adapt to. Making friends is a breeze, and life feels affordable — from housing to everyday costs. Many expats also report a great work–life balance and solid career opportunities, which all combine to make Mexico feel like home.

Indonesia, at #3, offers a similarly welcoming vibe with standout friendliness and low living costs. Expats enjoy short working hours (just under 39 hours a week), great job satisfaction, and a comfortable lifestyle on a modest budget. Housing is both easy to find and afford, and over 90% of expats feel genuinely welcomed by locals. While digital life and healthcare still lag behind, most agree: the people, culture, and pace of life in Indonesia make it a rewarding place to live.

The Least Friendly Countries in the World for Expats

Kuwait ranked last (53rd) in the global expat survey for the seventh year in a row, and the numbers tell the story. Just 22% of expats are satisfied with their social life (vs. 52% globally), and only 26% feel locals are friendly toward foreign residents (vs. 61%). Nearly half (47.8 hours) of full-time workers clock in well above the global average (42.5), yet only 43% are happy with their hours. While 73% view Kuwait’s economy positively, the heat, rigid work culture, and difficult social scene make life there challenging.

In 2024, Türkiye and Finland landed at the bottom of the Expat Insider rankings, placing 52nd and 51st, respectively. Türkiye struggles most with work-related issues, ranking last in the Working Abroad Index—40% of expats rate their career opportunities negatively, and 64% are unhappy with the economy. Finland, once a top destination, saw a sharp drop: only 51% of expats are happy with life there, down from 78% the year before. High living costs and social challenges weigh heavily—83% say learning Finnish is difficult, and Finland ranks near the bottom for friendliness. Despite their beautiful climates and strong infrastructure, both countries face major hurdles in expat satisfaction.

It should be noted that these are only the lowest ranking countries out of the 53 included in that year’s survey results. More than 130 additional countries did not make the list—African countries seem especially underrepresented—and could easily be more or less friendly than those that were included.