Last updated on May 3rd, 2017 at 12:21 am
There is a lot to think about before making a move abroad.
This is especially true when you’re planning to relocate as a family with young kids in tow.
There is so much to consider when it comes to quality of life; access to quality education and activities for the kids, cost of living, agreeable family ideology, and good public safety are major concerns.
A survey by InterNations, the largest community for people to live and work abroad included a Family Life Index. Consisting of 45 countries, expat parents rated Availability of Childcare and Education, Costs for Childcare and Education, Quality of Education, and overall Family Well-Being.
Each country included in the index had to have a minimum of 31 expat participants raising dependent kids abroad.
The Expat Experiment took a look at the countries that made the top 10 spots.
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Thanks to The Expat Experiment for providing this infographic.
For more info on the best countries to raise kids make sure you check out the Family Life Index by InterNations.
Are you living abroad with your family? What insights have you gained living your new country?
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The win for Finland as the #1 top ranking spot is so warranted! I remember reading that Finland distributes a baby box to all newborn babies in the country so that babies start on equal footing. How amazing is that? I also think that Korea is a great place to raise kids albeit language barriers BUT Korea has so many incentives for childcare giving free preschools to parents. Its really amazing!
Great input Izzy! I keep hearing so many good things about Finland and Korea lately.
I have definitely heard of Finland having this reputation and a great school system apparently. I’m originally from the UK but I grew up around the Middle East in Saudi, Oman and Dubai. I loved it and would love to bring up kids abroad, it gives them different perspectives on the world and allows them to have diverse experiences with different cultures.
I think giving kids a more worldly perspective is such a benefit for them. Mak, our Son, has a broader view of “normal”. Traveling has made him accepting of foreign cultures and oblivious to differences. I think this unique perspective will make him be a better leader and strengthen his relationship building skills for the rest of his life.
We’re not living in a foreign country, but we sure wish we could do some extensive travel with our kids and grandkids. It’s such an incredible experience for kids to learn more about other languages, cultures, and lifestyles! I also haven’t been to most of these countries, but I could see why Germany would be a good choice. We liked a lot of things about Germany when we were there, and we really enjoyed getting to know a German exchange student who lived with us 6 months. I wonder what the religious environment is like in these countries(?), as I think that would also be important for children.
I love seeing Austria on your list – it is one of our favourite countries. What an inspirational list – thank you for sharing!
I think I have to move to Finland. It was just listed as one of the happiest countries in the world. They’re doing so many things right. I’m in the US and think we need to take notes and learn from them!
Do you have to have kids to be in expat in any of these countries?! They’re all fantastic. Having been recently to both Finland and Sweden, I’m not at all surprised to see them on this list. You just get the sense of happiness, well-being, and safety in these countries, even as a visitor. I’m also a huge Czech Republic fan. It’s become a hot spot for lots of expats, too.
No kids required Jackie, hahahaha! Great to hear a first hand opinion on the feeling in both Finland, Sweden, and the Czech Republic. Thanks for sharing.
If I was not already an ex-pat from the USA, I would certainly be planning it now. And if I had kids, this would be a great guide to help make my choice.
I love lists like this because they help me brainstorm exciting future possibilities with my family! I still haven’t been the the Czech Republic, but after hearing so many good things, I’m fixin’ to go soon. Finland, I only dipped into, but how exciting that it made it to #1 on this list. It clearly deserves a longer visit my next time in Europe!
It is an inspirational list. InterNations did such a great job collecting all of this data. Their research has added a couple of possibilities to our must visit list!
Our little family would love to move so this guide is very helpful! Though Finland, Germany or Sweden would be a dream to raise our little one in I cant see us adjusting to that climate. I am very surprised to see Taiwan and Israel on the list! Was not familiar with those 2.
Some of the destinations were a bit of a surprise for me as well Claudia. Isreal and Taiwan hadn’t crossed my mind until reading the survey. They’re both warm weather countries too.
I wasn’t too shocked by many of these listed until I saw Israel. How interesting? I guess it depends on what part of Israel you live in because my friends who lived there said that it was as bad in terms of poverty as India.