The Best and Worst Destinations for Expats in 2023

After a challenging year filled with divisive politics, conflict, and uncertainties about the future, is this the ideal time to chase that dream you’ve always had? If you’re ready to take the plunge, the pressing question is: where will you head next?

This year, your best bet may be in Western Europe, as indicated by the recent Quality of Living Report from the global consulting firm Mercer, which assesses cities based on their attractiveness to expatriates. Zurich, the Swiss capital, claims the top spot, with Vienna and Geneva closely trailing behind, in a top 10 that showcases numerous delightful European destinations.

Zurich has received accolades for its “outstanding public services, low crime rates, thriving cultural scene, and dedication to sustainability.” However, it is important to note that the cost of living is significantly elevated.

A pedestrianized shopping street in Zurich. Image: Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg

If you’re looking for a more tranquil option, Auckland, which is ranked fifth, might be worth considering, while the sole North American city in the top 10, Vancouver, ranks seventh.

Additional highlights include:

• Singapore stood out as the top city in Asia, although it dropped one position to number 30. Hong Kong came in at 76th.
• Los Angeles demonstrated the most notable improvement, rising 26 spots to rank 44, thanks to better ratings in crime, air quality, and internet access.
• Boston emerged as the highest-ranking US city at number 32, followed by New York at 45.
• London moved up five spots to position 40, with Edinburgh and Glasgow in 50th and 53rd places, respectively.
• Sydney slipped three places to 12th, ahead of Melbourne in 20th and Canberra in 29th.
• At the tail end of the rankings were Khartoum in Sudan and Baghdad, Iraq.

“In a time characterized by digital nomads and remote work options, Mercer’s report suggests that the most desirable locations provide a balance between high quality of life and manageable living costs,” noted Mercer’s Global Mobility Leader Yvonne Traber. “This creates a challenge for organizations and international assignees as they make decisions regarding relocation, investment, and talent management.”

Marina Bay in Singapore’s central business district (CBD). Image: Lauryn Ishak/Bloomberg

Mercer evaluated living standards in over 450 cities globally, taking into account 39 different factors, including political and social conditions, healthcare, education, recreation, and housing.

Here are the top 10 cities for the best quality of living (cities sharing the same rank received identical overall scores):

1 — Zurich, Switzerland

2 — Vienna, Austria

3 — Geneva, Switzerland

4 — Copenhagen, Denmark

5 — Auckland, New Zealand

6 — Amsterdam, Netherlands

7 — Frankfurt, Germany

7 — Vancouver, Canada

9 — Bern, Switzerland

10 — Basel, Switzerland

Conversely, here are the bottom 10 cities on the list:

241 — Khartoum, Sudan

240 — Baghdad, Iraq

239 — Bangui, Central African Republic

238 — Sanaa, Yemen

237 — Port-Au-Prince, Haiti

236 — N’djamena, Chad

235 — Damascus, Syria

234 — Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

233 — Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

232 — Tripoli, Libya

© 2024 Bloomberg

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