10 Countries Retirees Are Moving to in 2024 That Aren’t Costa Rica or Mexico
Written by
Adam Palasciano
Edited by
Nicholas Morine
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Entering retirement should be exciting, relaxing, and full of adventure. Hopefully, you’ve been saving and investing your money for decades and you’re finally able to call it quits at your 9-to-5 without worrying about money. Entering this new chapter might mean you’re looking for a new kind of life too. Luckily, there’s a whole world out there to explore and find a new home.
For some, retiring to a new destination can offer new experiences, a chance to downsize, and the ability to assume a more relaxed pace of life.
According to International Living’s Annual Global Retirement Index, Costa Rica has been ranked the world’s No. 1 retirement destination for the third year in a row. If you’re looking for an affordable cost of living, quality health insurance at a low cost, and relaxation in a lush environment, then this might be the place for you. Costa Rica has incredible biodiversity and it’s been ranked as one of the happiest countries on Earth.
Ranked the No. 3 best retirement destination in 2024, Mexico is famously known for its beautiful beaches, incredible food, and rich cultural history. Similarly to Costa Rica, Mexico offers a more affordable cost of living and a lower cost of healthcare. It’s even possible to live luxuriously for less. Natural landscapes like beaches, volcanos, and deserts — as well as urban centers like bustling Mexico City — make this country a prime destination for retirees looking for a diverse array of experiences.
However, there are 10 other countries that retirees are moving to other than Costa Rica and Mexico which offer a high standard of living as well.
Top 10 Countries For a Comfortable Retirement in 2024
Here are the top 10 countries ranked for a “comfortable retirement,” ranked in ascending order from 1 to 10. Based on data from U.S. News & World Report, each country is ranked by its gross domestic product (GDP), total population size, and GDP per capita (per person):
No. 1: Switzerland
- Gross Domestic Product (GDP): $808 billion
- Total population: 8.77 million
- GDP per capita (per person): $83,598
No. 2: Portugal
- GDP: $252 billion
- Total population: 10.4 million
- GDP per capita (per person): $41,452
No. 3: Australia
- GDP: $1.68 trillion
- Total population: 26 million
- GDP per capita (per person): $62,625
No. 4: New Zealand
- GDP: $247 billion
- Total population: 5.12 million
- GDP per capita (per person): $51,967
No. 5: Spain
- GDP: 1.40 trillion
- Total population: 47.6 million
- GDP per capita (per person): $48,825
No. 6: Canada
- GDP: $2.14 trillion
- Total population: 38.9 million
- GDP per capita (per person): $58,400
No. 7: Sweden
- GDP: $586 billion
- Total population: 10.5 million
- GDP per capita (per person): $64,578
No. 8: Italy
- GDP: $2.01 trillion
- Total population: 58.9 million
- GDP per capita (per person): $51,865
No. 9: Greece
- GDP: $219 billion
- Total population: 10.6 million
- GDP per capita (per person): $36,835
No. 10: Denmark
- GDP: $395 billion
- Total population: 5.9 million
- GDP per capita (per person): $74,005
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