10 Best Countries for Retiring Abroad: 2024
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International Living’s annual global retirement index focuses on the destinations that make sense for an overseas retirement.
The index is informed by opinions and real-life experiences of correspondents who pound the pavement in attractive overseas communities and report insights and information about what’s really going on in those destinations.
International Living notes that these on-the-ground contributors are not beholden to relocation service providers, real estate agents, tourism boards or economic development organizations.
The 2024 index rank 17 countries based on scores of 1 to 100 across seven categories:
Housing: Ease of buying real estate and value for a foreigner, and rental values
Visa/benefits: Ease of obtaining a visa and becoming a permanent resident; benefits and discounts for retirees
Cost of living: On-the-ground correspondents provide information tailored to expat retirees’ needs and wants. The lower the COL, the higher the score
Affinity rating: Readers indicate where they want to retire, and correspondents weigh in on whether they would like to move there
Development/governance: Factors in stability of political environment, how well infrastructure is maintained and efficiency of banking system
Climate: A destination’s score is based on how many climate options it offers
Health care: Score is based on both quality and cost
See the accompanying gallery for the top 10 overseas destinations for retirees in 2024.
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