8 destinations you should not visit In 2026, according to rravel experts
If you're thinking about moving abroad, then chances are you've spent a lot of time deciding where to move. So, if you're in between countries, then this news is for you because we're going to talk about the top 11 worst countries for cost of living, quality of life, ease of settling in, and work life balance according to more than 10,000 expats who are living outside of their home country.
So, we're going to start with the 11th and go all the way down to the lowest ranked country on this list, which is 46 out of 46 countries total.
The first place is the United States, my home country.
But yes, it ranks 36th out of 46 countries. And here's why. Let's see if you agree with any of these reasons.
First and foremost, health care. It actually ranks last, 46 out of 46 countries, on health care. People are shocked. You know, people from different countries who move to the US, they cannot believe our health care system. They're shocked by the cost. They're shocked by how the whole system is set up, the insurance, and just the difficulty overall.
One person said that they pay more for health insurance than they do for rent, and they still have to pay to go to the doctor. So, you know, health care isn't the only issue here, but it's definitely one of the major ones that brings the US down on this ranking.
Quality of life is also another one. And if you've ever lived in the US or if you live there right now, I think you know the quality of life has been maybe getting worse over the years. At least it seems that way a lot of the time.
And this is for a lot of reasons. This is due to a rising cost of living. This is due to the large geographical area of the US, which makes it really difficult for public transportation unless you live in a city, and even then public transportation can be slow, can be expensive, can be inconsistent.
So people really don't like that. When you come from other countries and then you get to the US, they say wow, the public transportation is really bad.
Also the work life balance when it comes to the rat race in the US is a big factor of why people leave for sure. So people coming in from other countries that had a healthier work life balance and then they get to experience the US rat race for the first time, it's something that they don't like.
So, it results in long commutes, a lot of time in the car, and also high costs when it comes to gas and insurance, and then the health insurance and the rent. Yeah, it doesn't rank very well there.
Also, it does actually rank pretty good as far as job prospects, but overall people say that it's actually number five for career prospects out of almost all 50 of these countries. So they say that the money is good, the financial security is good compared to where they come from, but then the work life balance, the leisure options, and just overall work culture and satisfaction are lower.
There's also a lot of concerns about safety here. It says concerns over gun violence, political polarization, and social unrest. So, a lot of people just simply don't feel safe.
But there are some pros to living in the US besides the career options. People say that the people are really nice and friendly in the US, and they find it pretty easy to adjust to the culture. They also say that the bureaucracy is not as bad as a lot of other countries.
The next country on our list, in the bottom 10 of places to live in the world, is a country that might surprise you, and that country is Italy.
Italy was also in the bottom 10 last year, and there are a few reasons for this. I love Italy. My family members are from Italy. There's a lot of great attributes to living there, but once you're there, it's a little bit harder than if you go on vacation there.
One of the biggest things is the category called expat essentials. This includes things like administration, bureaucracy, housing, language, and all the things that you need to deal with in your day-to-day life there. Those can be a struggle for people.
The bureaucracy is probably one of the worst ranked in the world. It ranks 46th dead last for digital life and administration. Things like registering as a resident there, opening a bank account, and one person said that they spent six months trying to get their residency permit and that the process was confusing and a nightmare.
Italy also rates really low on career opportunities and job security. It's also not the best ranked for personal finance. It's not the most affordable place to live in Europe.
That said, Italy ranks really well for quality of life, food, culture, natural beauty, history, art, and lifestyle. Just because we're talking about negatives doesn't mean a country is all bad. It's realistic information so you can make an informed decision.
On the positive side, Italy ranks really well for quality of life. You can see a distinction between the southern half of Italy and the northern half. Northern Italy generally has a better quality of life, and the southern part struggles economically. This is why there are more government tax incentives to live in the south.
Also in our bottom 10 is Sweden.
This country really surprised me because Sweden always ranks at the top of happiness indices along with Norway and Denmark. The issue here? Weather. Farther north in Europe, the winters are colder and darker, which is a factor. It’s hard to fit in, make friends, and integrate with the culture. Learning the language is difficult. Sweden ranks 42 out of 46 countries for ease of settling in. The locals are friendly, but it’s hard to get into established social circles.
On the positive side, Sweden ranks really highly for administration, bureaucracy, and digital life. It’s number four for that. It’s number one for environment and climate, with amazing summer and winter activities. The cost of living is high—around 2.9% lower than in the US on average. Nomad List shows $3,000–$5,000 per month for total cost of living. Visa options are limited, so it’s good if you have a job offer but not for retirees or digital nomads.
Next is Norway.
Ease of settling in and cost are challenges. Like Sweden, Norway is top 10 for environment and climate but bottom 10 for cost of living and social integration. The weather is cold, but the nature is stunning—fjords, mountains, hiking, Arctic waters, northern lights, and long summer days. Work-life balance ranks fifth, and work culture and satisfaction rank eighth, which makes Scandinavia some of the happiest countries in the world.
Next, Canada ranks 40th out of 46.
The main reason is cost of living, especially housing in Vancouver and Toronto. Half of some expats’ income goes to rent or mortgage payments. Canada is multicultural, English-speaking, but ranks low for personal finance. Career prospects rank 29th.
The UK ranks low due to cost of living, especially housing. 61% of foreigners living there are unhappy with costs, and more than half say their disposable income isn’t enough. Public transportation is good but expensive, weather can be gloomy, and visa options are limited.
Germany is next.
Surprisingly, bureaucracy and lack of digitalization are major issues. Everything requires paperwork, in-person appointments, and long wait times. Cash is still needed at many places. On the positive side, high-speed internet, a strong social safety net, health care, and work-life balance are good. Retirement and digital nomad visas are limited.
Next country is Finland.
Finland is similar to Sweden and Norway. Cold weather, difficulty integrating socially and at work, and limited ease of settling in are issues. Nature is amazing, with skiing, hiking, and northern lights.
South Korea dropped 21 places from last year. Political instability, economic challenges, and a brutal work culture make it rank low for working abroad. Long hours, low work-life balance, and low job satisfaction are reported.
Turkey ranks low for economy, working abroad, and inflation. Low salaries and bad job security are issues. Cost of living is low, but the economy is unstable. Good for retirees or remote work, less so for local jobs. Nomad List shows $1,300–$1,700 per month.
Finally, the last country is Kuwait. Kuwait ranks at the bottom for seven years running. Poor quality of life, difficulty settling in, lack of social opportunities, and unbearable heat are issues. Career opportunities and income are high, but social life is limited.
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