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The Netherlands nabs top 10 spot in quality of life ranking for expats
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The Netherlands nabs top 10 spot in quality of life ranking for expats

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© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Jan 11, 2021
Victoria Séveno
Victoria grew up in Amsterdam, before moving to the UK to study English and Related Literature at the University of York and completing her NCTJ course at the Press Association in London. She has a love for all things movies, animals, and food. Read more

In a new ranking assessing the quality of life for expats in different countries around the world, the Netherlands secured a spot in the top 10, making it one of the best countries to live and work in 2021 and beating the likes of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.

Expat Quality of Life Ranking 2020

The ranking was put together by Blacktower Financial Group, which helps to provide financial advice for British citizens living abroad, and assessed the quality of life offered to international people living in a number of countries across the world. 

Looking at data for 195 countries, the study examined each nation’s happiness ranking, as well as the average salary, cost of living, quality of healthcare, average income to property price ratio, and the country’s global peace level.

Taking all these factors into consideration, the study found that, while Switzerland offered the best overall quality of life, making it the best country to live and work in for 2021, while Australia was (perhaps unsurprisingly) the most popular country for Brits who decided to move abroad.

The Netherlands one of the top 10 countries for expats

The Netherlands achieved a respectable eighth place in the ranking, beating a number of its European neighbours. The country performed particularly well when it came to its happiness ranking, and also did well in the quality of healthcare category and income to property price ratio. 

Out of the countries in the top 10, the Netherlands had one of the worst scores for global peace level, and it also performed relatively poorly in the average monthly salary category.

The best countries for expats in 2021

According to the study, the top 10 countries in the world to live and work in 2021 are:

  1. Switzerland
  2. Denmark
  3. Iceland
  4. Norway
  5. Australia
  6. Finland
  7. New Zealand
  8. The Netherlands
  9. Austria
  10. Canada

For the full ranking, visit the Blacktower Financial Group website. 

By Victoria Séveno