The Safest Places To Retire Outside the U.S. — And What It Will Cost You

Among the reasons people choose a retirement destination, safety usually ranks near the top, along with affordability, access to healthcare, housing options and climate. For those who want to retire abroad, safety is often a primary consideration — and one that has taken on added importance in an increasingly unstable world.

According to the World Economic Forum’s “Global Risks Report 2024,” there is a “deteriorating global outlook” in terms of threats to safety. The Israel-Hamas war that erupted beginning in October 2023 has contributed to a sense of unease not only in the Middle East but many other regions of the world. That’s also the case with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Beyond armed conflicts, much of the globe has suffered from record-breaking heat conditions, drought, wildfires and flooding, as well as social polarization, violent protests, riots and strikes. A majority of respondents polled by the WEF anticipate “some instability and a moderate risk of global catastrophes.”

For seniors who want to retire abroad, a good resource is the Institute for Economics and Peace’s Global Peace Index. It ranks nations based on criteria such as violent crime, internal conflict, homicides, access to weapons, political instability, violent demonstrations, terrorist activity, the population of imprisoned people, safety and security and militarization.

The United States doesn’t fare well in the latest index, with a ranking of No. 157. Only one top pick is in North America — and it isn’t Mexico, which ranks behind the U.S. at No. 162.

Here’s a look at the safest places to retire and how much they might cost based on various media and data sources. All costs are in U.S. dollars. Keep in mind that the estimated costs are countrywide averages, and costs will be much higher or lower depending on where you live.