Source: OT-Team(G), BBC
In the 2025 Expat Insider Survey of 10,000+ expats, Asia dominated the top 10 destinations, with China soaring to sixth place.
Most notably, China recorded one of the strongest year-on-year advances in the index, climbing from 19th place in 2024 to sixth overall in 2025. InterNations attributes this rise primarily to high scores in working life, work–life balance, and overall quality of living.
A Globally Influential Survey
Now in its twelfth consecutive year, the Expat Insider Survey is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive assessments of expatriate life worldwide. The 2025 edition gathered feedback from more than 10,000 respondents representing 172 nationalities. Participants evaluated their host countries across multiple dimensions, including quality of life, career prospects, housing, cultural adaptation, and personal finance.
This year's rankings underscore Asia's growing competitiveness as a long-term destination for global talent. Thailand, Vietnam, China, Indonesia, and Malaysia together claimed half of the top ten positions. By comparison, Europe was represented only by Spain, while Panama, Colombia, and Mexico led in the Americas, highlighting the increasing appeal of emerging markets outside traditional Western destinations.
China's Rapid Ascent
China ranked sixth globally, marking one of the largest improvements in the entire index. The country scored particularly well in personal finance and overall happiness, with strong evaluations in career prospects, salary levels, and job security. Many respondents indicated that their income was sufficient to cover daily expenses while still allowing for savings.
Cost of living was viewed especially favorably outside Beijing and Shanghai. In many second- and third-tier cities, expats reported a more balanced trade-off between living expenses and access to international-standard services, housing, and lifestyle amenities.
Respondents also highlighted China's breadth of dining, entertainment, and leisure options—from street food and night markets to fine dining and high-end shopping—catering to a wide range of cultural backgrounds and budgets.
Social integration received increasingly positive feedback, particularly in major cities and international communities. Expats cited the friendliness of local residents, expanding foreign-language services, and the concentration of international schools and multinational companies as factors that made it easier to build social networks and a sense of belonging.
Infrastructure and digital convenience were also central to China's appeal. High-speed rail, near-universal mobile payments, and highly efficient delivery and e-commerce services were frequently described as defining features of everyday life. The BBC noted that these developments are prompting many expats to reassess China as not only a short-term posting, but a destination with long-term residential potential.
Expat Perspectives from China
Dutch travel blogger Chris Oberman described Shanghai as "an amazing spot for expats," citing its extensive international communities, business networks, and social venues. He emphasized how everyday services simplify life: "If you bought something that you want to return, just leave it at your doorstep and they will pick it up. These conveniences save an enormous amount of time."
Oberman also noted that even basic Mandarin can significantly improve daily interactions. "If you can say in a restaurant, 'It tastes good,' or tell a colleague, 'Good job,' you'll notice the distance between foreigners and Chinese people comes down much more easily."
A Belgian expat who has lived in both Hong Kong and Shenzhen offered a complementary perspective. While describing Hong Kong as vibrant, convenient, and comfortable for foreigners, he highlighted Shenzhen's strengths in modern infrastructure, cleanliness, and employment opportunities. The city's transport system and reputation as a technology hub were seen as key advantages for professionals.
China's financial satisfaction score also exceeded the global average, with many respondents pointing to stable employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. Cultural depth was another important factor: expats noted that living in China allows them to enjoy modern urban convenience while remaining closely connected to a rich historical and cultural environment.
Vietnam: Financial Advantage and Community Life
Vietnam ranked fifth overall, driven by outstanding performance in personal finance—one of the strongest predictors of overall happiness in the survey. Expats highlighted the low cost of living, affordable housing, and inexpensive food and transportation as major advantages.
Beyond affordability, respondents noted the ease of building social connections, with relationships with neighbors and local businesses often evolving into informal support networks. While administrative procedures can be slow, many said that flexibility and patience make daily life manageable. Vietnam's café culture, walkable neighborhoods, and access to destinations such as Da Nang and Hoi An further enhance its appeal, making it a leading option in Asia for short- and medium-term residence.
Malaysia: Accessibility and Work–Life Balance
Malaysia entered the global top ten for the first time, ranking tenth overall, with strong scores in personal finance, housing, and language. The widespread use of English was seen as a key advantage for newcomers.
Expats praised the country's affordability across housing, healthcare, and transportation, along with modern living standards and easy regional travel. Cultural diversity, year-round festivals, and a generally favorable work–life balance were also frequently cited. For professionals and digital nomads, reliable internet, co-working spaces, accessible visa options, and long-term residency programs with tax benefits further strengthened Malaysia's appeal.
Asia's Growing Appeal
The prominence of China, Vietnam, and Malaysia in the 2025 rankings illustrates a broader regional trend. Across these destinations, expats consistently pointed to three shared strengths: manageable living costs, expanding career opportunities, and increasingly internationalized urban environments.
Industry observers suggest that these factors collectively indicate a shift in how Asia is perceived by the global expatriate community. China's rapid rise in particular signals that it is no longer viewed merely as a challenging or unfamiliar environment, but increasingly as a viable, livable, and opportunity-rich destination for long-term settlement.
As affordability, lifestyle quality, and professional prospects reshape global mobility, the strong performance of multiple Asian destinations signals a wider realignment in where international residents are choosing to live and work.
The top 15 expat destinations in 2025
Overall Ranking
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