Countries for Expats: Where are expats made to feel most welcome?
By Allianz | July 14, 2025 | 4 Min Read
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Bahrain, Mexico and Malaysia are the top three countries where new expats and their families who move to work or study feel at home the quickest, according to newly released data from the HSBC Expat Explorer survey.
The BBC reported that Singapore was chosen as the most popular place for expats to live and work, according to the HSBC survey. The survey found that expats experience different milestones on their path to feeling like locals. In Bahrain, 51% said making friends and developing an active social life played the greatest part in establishing a connection with their host country. While 37% of expats said it was knowing their family were enjoying life in their new country.
Starting to understand the local culture and etiquette, and successfully using the local language were also identified as key milestones in an expats journey to making their host country feel like home.
Other findings from the HSBC 2015 survey
- New Zealand as the #1 country for ease of arranging healthcare abroad, while Spain is #1 country for general health and New Zealand the #1 country for raising healthy children
- 66% of expats who moved to Bahrain felt at home within a year, making it the most welcoming place in the world followed by 63% in India and 61% in Malaysia.
- Also in Bahrain, 47% of expats said that they felt at home instantly or in less than six months followed by 43% in Malaysia and 42% in Mexico.
- For UK expatriates, relocating abroad brought clear health advantages, with 53% reporting they became more active after moving, and 40% of British children being more engaging in sports.
- Older expats find it easier to settle in. 35% of those over 55 years old said their host country felt like home within six months, compared to 33% of 18 to 34 year olds and 29% of 35 to 54 year olds.
Top 10 countries where expats feel at home in less than a year (according to the 2015 Research)
- Bahrain 66%
- India 63%
- Malaysia 61%
- Mexico 61%
- Taiwan 57%
- Oman 57%
- Russia 57%
- Spain 56%
- Indonesia 56%
- Vietnam 56%
On the 2021 edition of the Expat Explorer survey, the majority (67%) of those who live abroad believe their quality of life is better now than in their home country or region. Regarding wellbeing, Australia leads with a rating of 62%, followed closely by Switzerland and New Zealand, both with 61%. As for the locations where expats feel most content, Indonesia and the UAE top the list, with 51% of expats considering these countries as places where they can attain a sense of fulfilment, followed by India with 49% and Taiwan with 48%.
Commenting on the 2015 survey, Dean Blackburn, Head of HSBC Expat said: “Painting a picture of expat life across a broad range of criteria, the annual Expat Explorer survey is an insightful and comprehensive resource for all current and prospective expats. Not only can expats find out how the country they live in performs compared to other destinations, but they can also share the real life experiences of their peers.”
“The survey findings help those who plan to move or already live abroad, and help us to better understand our expat customers and the unique challenges they face. We would like to hear from even greater numbers of expats this year; their input is critical to further support and inspire the global community of those who have made the choice of a life abroad,” he added.
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