According to AARO data from November 2023, roughly 5.4 million Americans now live abroad. Migration is growing, but not always to the countries that top global rankings.

The pandemic reshaped how people think about quality of life. For many, “best” no longer means highest GDP or safest streets, but feeling balanced, supported, and free. That’s why places with Nordic calm and pristine systems still aren’t a universal fit.

Instead of chasing someone else’s definition of the good life, more Americans are pursuing their own. A 2025 Forbes survey found that 17% plan to move abroad in the next five years, with 5% already in transition.

So, where are they headed? Here are the countries that rank high on paper and in real life.

What Makes a Country the “Best”?

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has

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