BBC Got It Wrong on the Best Expat Countries 2025

immigration trends

Latest Update : October 5, 2025

By Jonathan Jones

Why the BBC Got It Wrong

The BBC recently released an article sharing their opinion of the best expat destinations in 2025. While the BBC is undoubtedly a leading media outlet, its basis for identifying the best expat countries 2025 is heavily based on the InterNations survey.

Relying on the InterNations data is problematic because only 10,000 respondents across 172 nationalities took part in the survey. This is a relatively small sample given the scale of global migration. The data is biased toward English-speaking, Western-centric users of a single platform, which raises questions about representativeness and bias.

As a result, the rankings risk being misleading. Public migration statistics tell us a different story: expatriates are not flocking to the BBC’s “top destinations” in large numbers. Instead, many are moving to Global South nations, with Colombia alone recording an extraordinary 2,330% growth in its expat population.

BBC Article: https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250922-the-best-countries-for-expats-in-2025

The Real Numbers Tell a Different Story

When examining more reliable sources of migration data the best expat countries 2025, it becomes clear that actual migration patterns are very different from the BBC’s survey-driven rankings.

Instead of focusing on Europe or North America, expatriates are increasingly moving to cheap expat destinations across the Global South, driven by affordability, new digital nomad visa 2025 options, and stronger economic opportunities.

Where Expatriates Are Actually Moving

The numbers highlight a clear trend: expat migration is heading to the emerging economies such as those in the Global South, where the cost of living is lower, economies are growing faster, and governments are introducing more accessible digital nomad visa 2025 programs.

Examples of some actual top destinations:

Colombia: An incredible 2,330% expat growth since 2010, making it one of the fastest-growing expat destinations worldwide.
Vietnam: A 288% increase, driven by affordable cost of living and rapid economic development.
Indonesia: 295% growth, with Bali emerging as a hub for remote workers and digital nomads.
Chile: 325% growth, showing Latin America’s rising appeal as a relocation option.
Latin America overall: 23% migration growth, the highest of any global region.

Traditional Destinations Stagnating

By contrast, the so-called best places to live abroad in Europe and North America are experiencing stagnation. High costs of living, stricter immigration policies, and economic problems have had a significant negative effect on their appeal to new expatriates.

Europe: Only 13% growth in expat population, despite being championed as the best places to live abroad.
North America: Barely 4% growth, with rising costs of living and tightening immigration rules.
Singapore and Switzerland: Both often ranked highly in surveys, but showing minimal population growth, highlighting the gap between perception and reality.

The reality of expat migration in 2025 is clear: growth is concentrated in dynamic, affordable, and opportunity-rich countries in the Global South, not in the dying “top destinations” celebrated by the BBC and the InterNations survey.

Economic Reality vs. BBC’s Fantasy Rankings

One of the biggest issues in the BBC’s choices for the best expat countries 2025 is the lack of attention to hard economics. The expat cost of living comparison shows that expatriates are not choosing destinations based on survey rankings, but on where their income stretches further.

In the Global South, expats enjoy 2–3x higher living standards while saving 50–70% of their income, a reality that the BBC completely ignores.

Cost of Living Comparison

Destination	Monthly Cost	Savings	Notes
Colombia	$800 – $1,200	67% cheaper than Singapore	Explosive Colombia expat growth reflects this affordability.
Thailand	$1,200 – $1,800	59% cheaper than Western hubs	Popular cheap expat destination with strong digital nomad visa 2025 programs.
Panama	$1,500 – $2,200	49% lower costs than Europe/North America	Ironically, BBC’s #1 pick, but presented without context.
Paraguay	~$1,286	~65% cheaper than the U.S.	Underrated expat destination for retirees and remote workers.
Singapore (BBC TOP PICK)	$4,000+	—	High costs explain its stagnating expat population.

Tax Advantages the BBC Ignores

Even if we ignore the significant differences between living costs, expat migration patterns are also based on tax regimes that offer advantages or significant savings to foreign residents:

Panama: Territorial tax system means no tax on foreign income.
Colombia: Foreign income exemptions available for certain residency structures.
Costa Rica & Thailand: Various exemptions and incentives make them attractive expat destinations.

While the BBC highlights expensive, stagnant destinations, real expatriates are relocating where they gain financial freedom and their income can go further while enjoying modern amenities, and high quality of life.

The Visa Revolution BBC Missed Completely

Another oversight in the BBC’s ranking of the best expat countries 2025 is the increasing introduction of digital nomad visa 2025 programs. While the InterNations survey focuses on lifestyle factors, the real driver of expat migration is policy innovation. Over 73 countries now offer digital nomad or remote work visas, yet the BBC’s article barely touches on this.

Digital Nomad Visa Innovation

The Global South is leading the digital nomad boom, and many associated countries have been working hard to create practical, affordable visas that match where expatriates are actually moving. Great examples include:

Colombia: One of the most attractive options globally, with a 2-year digital nomad visa requiring proof of only $684 per month income, the lowest threshold worldwide.
Global Increase in Demand for Digital Nomad Visas: Searches for remote work visas are up 71% year-over-year, showing clear demand.
Contrast: While emerging economies are opening their doors, traditional destinations like Europe and North America are instead tightening visa restrictions, pushing more expatriates toward the Global South.

Search Behavior Data

Global search data also clearly highlights this shift in preference:

+50% increase in South American destination searches.
Global South cities dominate nomad community rankings: Paraguay (#2 on NomadList), Brazil’s Pipa (#13), Argentina’s Córdoba (#15).
Online discussions reflect the change: Reddit and Facebook nomad forums show a clear shift away from Southeast Asia and toward Latin America.

The “Slowmad” Movement

Another trend the BBC missed is the rise of the “slowmad” lifestyle, longer, deeper stays in affordable destinations rather than costly short-term hops.

Facebook groups with 195,000+ members report higher engagement on Global South destinations.
Expats increasingly reject expensive Western hubs in favor of places where they can build sustainable, long-term lives.

Business Formation Costs

For many expatriates, relocation isn’t just about living abroad, it’s an opportunity to explore a business or freelance venture. Here too, the economic gap between BBC’s “top picks” and the real best places to live abroad is significant.

Colombia: Start a company for as little as $300–$500, with English-language legal and accounting services widely available.
Singapore: Often praised as an “expat-friendly” hub, but requires $2,500+ in setup costs and far stricter compliance rules.

What BBC’s Survey Actually Measures (Methodology Critique)

The BBC’s list of the best expat countries 2025 relies almost entirely on the InterNations survey. While this survey is widely cited in the media, its methodology makes it a flawed tool for measuring real expat migration trends or identifying the true best places to live abroad.

The Sampling Bias Problem

The main problem is how the InterNations survey collects its data:

Limited Sample: Only 10,000 respondents across 172 nationalities, statistically meaningless given that there are over 280 million expatriates globally.
Western-Centric Bias: Despite Western expats being a minority worldwide, 51% of respondents were Westerners, skewing the results toward English-speaking preferences.
Platform-Dependent: Only users of InterNations, a niche networking site, could respond, meaning the survey reflects a community rather than the global expat population.
Language Barrier: The survey was conducted only in English, immediately excluding the vast majority of expatriates across Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
Minimum Respondents per Country: With just 50 respondents required to rank a destination, a handful of opinions can dictate a country’s global placement.

Academic Criticism of Expat Rankings

These flaws have not gone unnoticed in academia and migration research as well:

Convenience Sampling: Scholars highlight that rankings like InterNations or HSBC’s “Expat Explorer” rely on self-selected, non-representative samples, leading to self-selection bias and non-response bias.
Dubious Rankings: Geographic analysts have called the HSBC expat rankings “bizarre” and noted that the problems “run deep.”
Commercial Agenda: Many critics point out that such surveys primarily serve tourism boards and relocation marketing, not the actual interests of expatriates or investors.

Essentially, the BBC’s reliance on these surveys explains why their lists differ so much from expat cost of living comparisons, UN migration data, and real-world patterns of Colombia expat growth and Global South relocation.

Regional Champions BBC Completely Ignores

When considering the best expat countries 2025, the BBC ignores the real regional champions of expat migration, nations where affordability, innovation, and growth are reshaping what it means to be an expat destination. Instead of the expensive, outdated hubs the BBC keeps promoting, these regions are emerging as affordable, well-connected destinations with forward-thinking policies designed to welcome global talent

Africa: Rwanda as the New Singapore

Rwanda is emerging as Africa’s hidden gem for expatriates and investors.

Vision 2050 Strategy: A long-term development plan positioning Rwanda as a global innovation hub.
Kigali Innovation City: A $2 billion project transforming the capital into a technology and education hub.
Property Investment Growth: From just $100 million to $480 million in 13 years, showing investor confidence.
Government Efficiency: Streamlined services and low corruption rates make Rwanda as efficient as Singapore, and more importantly a fraction of the cost.

Latin America: The New Expat Haven

Latin America is increasingly the region where expatriates are actually moving, thanks to affordability and a decent infrastructure.

Paraguay: Offers ultimate financial sovereignty with a territorial taxation system that exempts foreign income.
Colombia: Beyond its 2,330% expat growth, surveys show 92% expat satisfaction with disposable income.

Southeast Asia: Beyond the Obvious

While the BBC leans on the traditional choices of Singapore or Hong Kong, the real story is elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

Vietnam: Ranked #1 globally for affordability, with 89% of expats satisfied with cost of living versus just 40% globally.
FDI Surge: Manufacturing foreign direct investment rose 34.7% year-over-year, creating jobs and economic dynamism.
High Disposable Income Satisfaction: 87% of expats report sufficient disposable income in Vietnam, compared with just 69% globally.

This positions Vietnam as one of the most compelling expat destinations in Asia, combining affordability with career and business opportunities.

Conclusion: The Future of Expat Destinations

The story of the best expat countries 2025 is no longer about surveys or outdated reputations. The transformation underway in the Global South is mathematically driven and, by every measure, going to continue to grow. While the BBC and similar outlets continue to promote the flawed InterNations survey, the reality is that expat migration patterns are changing. Traditional destinations in Europe and North America are stagnating, while nations like Colombia, Vietnam, and Paraguay are posting exponential growth.

The best places to live abroad in 2025 are not the expensive, stagnant hubs of yesterday, but the dynamic, affordable, and opportunity-rich economies of tomorrow. For expatriates, this year marks a significant change, emerging destinations now outcompete legacy hubs on cost of living, taxation, visa accessibility, and quality of life.

If you’re considering where to build your future abroad, don’t rely on media headlines or survey-driven rankings. Instead drop us a message and one of our experts will be happy to answer your questions.