Thailand ranks in top 10 countries for low expat living costs

Overall, there was little change in the top 10 of the Personal Finance Index from 2023.

Six of the top 10 countries are in Asia: Vietnam (1st), Indonesia (3rd), the Philippines (5th), India (6th), Thailand (8th), and China (10th). They all performed exceptionally well across the index’s three components, according to expats surveyed.

The remaining four are from Latin America: Colombia (2nd), Panama (4th), Mexico (7th), and Brazil (9th). 

The Personal Finance Index polled over 12,000 expats in 174 destinations (53 countries) around the world.

Canada was ranked bottom, with more than half of respondents (53%) saying their disposable household income is insufficient to live comfortably compared to 30% globally.

Expats in Canada continue to face rising prices, particularly for food, rent, and mortgages.

Singapore ranked lowest in Asia (48th out of 53 countries). Three-quarters (75%) of respondents rated the cost of living negatively, compared to 39% globally.

The bottom 10 countries are:
         44. Kuwait
         45. Turkey
         46. Bahrain
         47. New Zealand
         48. Singapore
         49. Norway
         50. Ireland
         51. United Kingdom
         52. Finland
         53. Canada