Why these countries are the best places to live and work
These are the current global travel and expat trends of 2026, focusing on personal safety, quality of life and financial opportunity. The best countries to live in have emerged as the leaders because they offer a well-rounded lifestyle that is healthy, inclusive and sustainable. While they offer stunning landscapes and stable societies, they also provide supportive work environments, and are great places to travel abroad or live abroad. Whether you’re looking for bustling cities or quiet countryside, cheaper living or a good career trajectory, these are countries that strike a happy balance for different ways of life. Between them, they demonstrate the role safety plays in a good quality of life and this promotes longer stays or moving there permanently.
List of the 10 Safest Countries in The World in 2026
| Rank | Country | Beauty Score | Job Opportunities | Average Rent (1BR/month) | Visa Ease |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands | 9.0/10 | High | $1,100 – $1,600 | Moderate |
| 2 | Australia | 9.2/10 | High | $1,200 – $2,000 | Moderate |
| 3 | Austria | 8.8/10 | High | $900 – $1,500 | Moderate |
| 4 | Iceland | 9.5/10 | Medium | $1,200 – $1,800 | Easy |
| 5 | Canada | 8.7/10 | High | $900 – $1,500 | Moderate |
| 6 | New Zealand | 9.3/10 | Medium | $1,200 – $1,800 | Moderate |
| 7 | United Arab Emirates | 8.0/10 | High | $1,300 – $2,200 | Moderate |
| 8 | Switzerland | 9.1/10 | High | $1,500 – $2,500 | Challenging |
| 9 | Japan | 8.9/10 | High | $800 – $1,500 | Moderate |
| 10 | Ireland | 8.4/10 | High | $1,300 – $1,900 | Moderate |
Netherlands
Nature & Beauty: Windmills, tulip-filled gardens and waterways in cities such as Amsterdam and Utrecht.
Job Prospects: Tech, finance, and logistics are strong hiring sectors with many foreign firms calling the city home.
Cost of Living: Monthly expenses are estimated at around $1,800 – $2,500.
Expat-friendly Cities: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Eindhoven.
Visa Pathway:
- Get a work permit or highly skilled migrant visa
- Provide proof of employment/income
- Residence permit application
Australia
Nature & Scenic Beauty: A hodgepodge of landscapes (beaches to rain forests to deserts) just outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane where people can get lost.
Job prospects: There is a high demand in healthcare, mining companies, education and IT.
Cost of Living: Usually $2,000 to $3,000 a month, depending on the city.
Expat-friendly Cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Perth.
Visa Pathway:
- Skilled independent subclass 189 visa
- Employer-sponsored subclass 482
- Express Entry pathways
Austria
Austria is a sumptuous combination of sparkling alpine vistas and urban sophistication.Safeness are equally well-known facets.
Beauty: Majestic mountains and history in Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck.
Job Market: Sectors such as engineering, tourism and finance are booming.
Cost of Living: $1,200 to $2,000 per month.
Expat Cities: Vienna, Graz, Linz.
Visa Process:
- Red-White-Red Card for skilled workers
- Residence permits for job seekers
Iceland
Scenery: Glaciers, geysers; northern lights near Reykjavik and Akureyri.
Areas of work: Renewable energy, tourism, fisheries.
Cost of Living: From about $2,000 to $2,700 a month.
Expat Friendly: Reykjavik primarily.
Visa:
- Work permit application
- EU/EEA nationals have easier access
Canada
Natural Beauty: Endless wilderness, national parks, cities including Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.
Jobs: Technology, healthcare, natural resources.
Cost of Living: $1,200 to $1,800 a month in rent and $2,000 total.
Expat Hubs: Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary.
Visa Routes:
- Express Entry for skilled workers
- Provincial nominee programs
New Zealand
Landscape: Mountains, fjords, beaches — but Auckland and Wellington are cultural hubs.
Jobs: Healthcare, IT, agriculture, tourism.
Cost of Living: $1,500 to $2,300 a month.
Expat Cities: Auckland, Christchurch.
Visa Process:
- Skilled Migrant Category
- Work to residence visa
United Arab Emirates
Scenery: Desert, ultramodern cities, beaches.
Work: Finance, construction tourism and IT * sectors booms.
Cost of Living: $2,500 to $3,500 per month.
Favored Cities: Dubai, Abu Dhabi.
Visa Pathway:
- Employment visa sponsorship
- Remote work visas
- Investor/resident visas
Switzerland
Beauty: Alps, lakes and unblemished woods around Zurich, Geneva, Bern.
Jobs: Finance, pharmaceuticals, engineering.
Cost of Living: $2,500 to $3,500 a Month.
Expat Cities: Zurich, Geneva.
Visa:
- Work permit with job offer
- Skilled Workers: These are estimated to be a residence permit.
Japan
Japan is attuned to safety, efficiency, and culture. It provides interesting cities and stunning nature.
Nature: Cherry blossoms, mountains, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka (Pictures)…
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Work Fields: Technology, automotive, finance.
Cost of Living: $1,000 to $2,000 a month.
Best Cities to Live in Japan: Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama.
Visa Route:
- Highly skilled professional visa
- Employment-linked visas
Ireland
Scenery: Hilly green countryside and bustling cities such as Dublin and Cork.
Work: Technology, pharmaceuticals, finance, education.
Cost of Living: $1,500 to $2,500 a month.
Expat Centers: Dublin, Galway, Cork.
Visa Pathway:
- General employment permit
- Critical skills employment permit
Related: Best Places to Live Worldwide 2025, Ranked by Expats and 5 Best Countries Offering Easy Permanent Residency
Global mobility tips for relocating
Relocating overseas to one of the top countries requires careful planning:
- Learn the visa process and gather paperwork, like a letter of employment or pay stubs.
- –Weigh the cost of living, including rent, groceries, healthcare and taxes.
- Discover local culture, language 101 and expat community support.
- Obtain health insurance and establish an emergency plan in the country where you will be.
- Tap international job boards and global mobility resources to find industries hiring expats.
- Use local expat groups and online forums to network for advice and housing or job leads.
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FAQ Section
Which are the safest country with best job opportunities?
The Netherlands, along with Australia, Canada and Switzerland, also offer the best combination of high safety and strong labor markets — particularly in tech, finance, health care and engineering.
What is overall cost of living in these top countries?
Rent typically varies from $900 to $2,500/month for a one-bedroom apartment, and monthly costs would be around $1,500-$3,000 total including country and city.
How difficult is it to get a visa to work or live in the country?
Visa application flexibility differs: Iceland, New Zealand, offer no-nonsense skilled migrant visas; Switzerland and the UAE have more stringent visa laws where employer sponsorship is prerequisite.
Which are the countries with most natural beauty and safety?
Iceland and New Zealand have extensive natural wonders; Austria and Switzerland are there for Alpine scope; Japan and Ireland get a mix of cultural and natural landscape; the Netherlands has waterways and parks.
Could I be a digital nomad in these countries?
Others like Portugal, Netherlands and UAE have launched digital nomad visas or remote work permits making them an appealing option for life abroad.
What are a few of the big ones where expats should focus.
Technology, finance, health care, education and tourism are the big industries hiring expatriates in these safest countries.
Are these good countries for families and children?
Yes, all of them offer great safety, health care and education as well as infrastructure conducive to having a family and enjoying an expat’s life.
