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International Living’s 2024 Annual Global Retirement Index ranked Costa Rica first, followed by Portugal and Mexico. The top ten were Costa Rica, Portugal, Mexico, Panama, Spain, Ecuador, Greece, Malaysia, France and Colombia. This is a historical ranking—not a current assessment of visa eligibility, taxes, healthcare access or the cost of moving.
The 10 best countries to retire in 2024, in order
- Costa Rica
- Portugal
- Mexico
- Panama
- Spain
- Ecuador
- Greece
- Malaysia
- France
- Colombia
Kiplinger reported this order for International Living’s 2024 index: Kiplinger’s coverage of the best places to retire abroad.
What the index measures
The index compares destinations across seven dimensions: housing; visas and benefits; cost of living; affinity; healthcare; development and governance; and climate. These categories consider more than whether a place appears affordable.
- Housing: Cost and value, taxes, foreign ownership, renting and renters’ rights.
- Visas and benefits: Availability and ease of visa pathways, their duration, and options or benefits for retirees.
- Cost of living: Information from a contributor questionnaire tailored to expat retirees.
- Affinity: The potential fit of a destination’s social and cultural life.
- Healthcare: Quality and cost.
- Development and governance: Political environment, infrastructure and banking.
- Climate: The range of climates available.
KPAX reported that the index averages scores across the seven categories. Its account gives Costa Rica an overall score of 83.57 and Portugal 83.2 in the 2024 index; these are secondary-source reports of historical scores, not a complete score table. The figures do not establish how the remaining countries scored. See KPAX’s report on Costa Rica’s 2024 ranking.
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How to interpret the ranking
International Living describes the index as an editorial guide informed by contributors who live in the destinations they cover. Its 2024 explanation says, “In no way is our Global Retirement Index meant to be a scientific output,” and adds, “Our sources are living in the places where they’re gathering their intelligence.” The explanation is reproduced in the description of this 2024 index video.
That approach can offer practical perspective on daily life, but the ranking is not a personalized financial or relocation recommendation. A country’s position cannot tell you whether you qualify for a visa, what you will owe in taxes, whether local healthcare meets your needs, or whether the overall costs fit your finances.
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How to compare the destinations for your own retirement
Use the index’s dimensions as a checklist rather than assuming the highest-ranked country is best for you. The right comparison depends on your nationality, income, health needs, budget, language ability and climate preferences.
- Housing: Compare rents and purchase costs, ownership rules, taxes and protections for renters.
- Immigration: Check the rules and required documents for your nationality, including any income or other eligibility requirements and renewal conditions.
- Full budget: Estimate recurring expenses as well as one-time moving costs, and consider how exchange-rate changes could affect your income.
- Healthcare: Confirm what care is available where you would live, what insurance is required, and whether your expected costs are manageable.
- Daily fit: Consider language, social life, climate and the practical importance of banking and infrastructure.
Because the list describes 2024, it cannot establish current rules or conditions in any of the ten countries. Before making a decision, verify immigration, tax, insurance, healthcare and safety information with current official sources relevant to your circumstances.
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