The 2023 ranking by expat network Internations is based on the views of over 12,000 people across 172 countries. It encompasses five major indicators: quality of life, personal finances, ease of settling in, expat essentials, and working abroad. In the latter three, Luxembourg’s rating improved compared to previous years, making it one of the biggest winners in the report.
The 53 nations analysed in this edition met the minimum threshold of at least 50 respondents from each country. Overall, Luxembourg ranks 19th place, ahead of Australia (20th), Netherlands (22nd), Switzerland (23rd) Canada (27th), USA (30th), France (33rd), Belgium (38th), and the UK (43rd).
Luxembourg boasts a strong economy and great career prospects.
The top three expat destinations are Mexico (1st), Spain (2nd), and Panama (3rd). Kuwait, Norway and Turkey rank among the bottom three destinations, respectively. While expats like the local warmth and ease of making friends in Mexico, the leisure options and culture of Spain make it appealing. The ease of settling in as an expat in Panama is likewise acknowledged. The worst performers are characterised by unfriendliness and costs, poor social life, and low job satisfaction.
Excellent living standards and security
The Grand Duchy is often cited for its high quality of life in various global reports and rankings, for instance the Mercer’s Quality of Living Survey or the OECD Better Life Index, to mention a few.
Unsurprisingly, Luxembourg in 9th position for quality of life compared to 21st the previous year, also tops Internations global list in terms of safety and security sub-indicators. While it ranks poorly for leisure options, it remains the 5th choice for expats, when it comes to healthcare or travel and transit considerations. The country’s Findel airport was recently recognised as one of the least stressful in Europe.
Smooth relocation and working conditions
One of the key elements that expats consider is the ease of settling into a new country. Luxembourg rises 12 places to rank 34th out of 53 counties in the 2023 ease of settling in index. Close to two-thirds (66%) of persons surveyed feel at home compared to 52% in 2022.
According to the expats polled, the primary motivation for relocating is often linked to work (15% found a job in the country), love or family (10% to reunite with a partner), education (9% for academic reasons), lifestyle choices (8% for a better life quality).
When it comes to working abroad, Luxembourg’s stable and strong local economy makes it an obvious choice for expatriates. 96% rate it positively making it the 2nd choice for expats globally, only behind the Netherlands. It also ranks high for sub-indicators like salary and job security (1st), career prospects (5th), and work culture and satisfaction (11th).
“Luxembourg boasts a strong economy and great career prospects,” the report notes. 73% of respondents affirm that their career prospects increased since their move, while 70% are satisfied with their work-life balance.
Money matters and other essentials for expats
In the personal finance index, which considers expats overall satisfaction with their financial situation, cost of living and disposable household income, Luxembourg ranks in the top 35 destinations. Most Asian destinations feature in the top 10, with Vietnam ranking as the top location for affordable living. A 2024 report by Eurostat, the European statistics bureau, shows that most European countries saw real GDP growth in 2022. Luxembourg and Southern Ireland had the highest GDP per capita based on purchasing power standards.
The Grand Duchy claimed the 25th spot in terms of essential factors for a seamless life abroad, such as administrative ease, language, digital life, and housing. Although it ranked poorly in the latter, it features in the top 15 globally in all the other areas.