The Quality of Life Index 2022 covers 21 rating factors across five different subcategories: Travel & Transit, Environment & Climate, Leisure Options, Health & Well-Being, and Safety & Security. Expats rated the factors on a scale from one (very bad) to seven (very good). This resulted in a ranking of 52 destinations with a minimum of 50 respondents each.
Spain ranks 1st out of 52 in the Quality of Life Index, and no other place offers better Leisure Options (1st). Expats appreciate the opportunities for recreational sports (90% happy vs. 75% globally), as well as the culture and nightlife (85% vs. 67%). A Mexican respondent points out “the availability of cultural events … there’s always something very interesting to do.” More than nine in ten (91%) also praise the culinary variety and dining options (vs. 77% globally).
However, it’s not just the food and the sun — 66% love the climate and weather (vs. 28% globally)! — which delight expats in Spain. They also point out the availability (82% happy vs. 73% globally), affordability (79% vs. 61%), and quality (84% vs. 72%) of healthcare.
Spain’s results in the Travel & Transit (8th) and Environment & Climate (7th) Subcategories are slightly more mixed, though still well above average. Expats enjoy the travel opportunities (93% happy vs. 82% globally) and natural environment (91% vs. 83%). “I appreciate the easy availability of the beach, mountains, and airport!” says a respondent from the US. There’s also a good infrastructure for cars (87% vs. 75%) and for those traveling on foot or by bike (89% vs. 77%).
Overall, Spain only misses out on the top 10 in one of the subcategories. Even then, its 17th place for Safety & Security is not caused by safety concerns (90% happy vs. 81% globally) but rather Spain’s below-average results for political stability (31st).
Taiwan (2nd) is the undisputed winner for Health & Well-Being (1st), ranking first for all four rating factors. Not a single respondent is unhappy with the affordability of healthcare (vs. 21% globally), and 98% praise its availability (vs. 73% globally).
Similarly, expats feel perfectly safe in Taiwan (no negative ratings). Another 76% agree that they can openly express themselves (vs. 64% globally). However, due to some worries over political stability (61% happy vs. 64% globally), Taiwan misses out on the top 10 for Safety & Security (13th).
That is not the case for Travel & Transit (7th). Expats highlight the great availability (8th) and affordability (5th) of public transportation — 73% even give the latter the best possible rating (vs. 39% globally)!