Panama has taken the number one spot in the Annual Global Retirement Index for 2022 as the world’s safest, most affordable and most welcoming country — with an average score of 86.1.
Costa Rica is in second place, while Mexico is third — followed by Portugal, Ecuador, Colombia, France, Malta, Spain and Uruguay.
International Living said the countries are ranked based on the scores given across 10 categories including cost of living, housing, visas and residence, development, healthcare, climate, special benefits and governance.
“International Living editors compile, rank, and rate a series of criteria including cost of living, buying and investing, healthcare, fitting in, special benefits, climate, etc. This is a qualitative assessment based on real-world data gathered on the ground,” it said.
International Living is a print and online media publication that provide a scope and depth of information about best places in the world to live, retire, travel and invest.