Ghana did not appear in the 2026 Expat Insider survey's list of top global destinations for international residents. The comprehensive survey, conducted by InterNations, evaluated 31 countries worldwide. It assessed various factors crucial for expats, including quality of life, ease of settling in, working abroad, personal finance, and practical essentials like housing and digital services.
The survey results highlighted Panama as the leading country for expats for the third consecutive year. Panama achieved first place in both the Working Abroad and Personal Finance indices. Eighty-seven percent of expats in Panama reported satisfaction with their life abroad. This compares to a global average of 70 percent. Additionally, 90 percent found housing easy to secure in Panama.
Mexico secured the second position overall, ranking first for ease of settling in. Seventy-three percent of expats in Mexico found making local friends easy, significantly higher than the 39 percent global average. Thailand placed third, earning the highest score for cost of living, with 85 percent of expats rating it positively. This figure is more than double the global average.
The absence of Ghana from these prominent rankings suggests potential areas for improvement in its appeal to expatriates. Factors like personal finance, economic stability, and ease of integration are critical for attracting and retaining international talent. The survey emphasized that friendliness and affordability scores significantly influenced the top rankings.
For instance, Panama's stable economy makes planning and business more predictable, according to expats like Ariel Barrionuevo. Reza Motalebpour, who moved to Panama City, found banking easy due to the country's dollarised economy. These economic advantages contribute to a positive expat experience. Mexico's lower cost of living, with street tacos costing about one dollar, also made it attractive.
The implications for Ghana's economic development are noteworthy. Attracting skilled expatriates can boost various sectors, including finance, technology, and tourism. A strong expat community often contributes to foreign direct investment and knowledge transfer. Ghana's policymakers could examine the criteria used in such surveys to identify areas for policy intervention.
Improving conditions related to personal finance, housing availability, and ease of doing business could enhance Ghana's global standing. Addressing these aspects might make Ghana a more competitive destination for international professionals. This could ultimately support broader economic growth and development objectives.