Living and working abroad can be such a rewarding and important life experience. You get a chance to boost your CV and skill set, whilst simultaneously experiencing life in other cultures.
If you dream about one day working abroad, whether permanently or just for a fixed period, you might be looking for some inspiration.
While there are lots of exciting places to see in this world, some are more beneficial for your professional life.
That’s why we’ve pulled together this guide. Below, we’re going to take a look at some of the best countries to work in around the world and look at some of the reasons why you might want to work and live there.
So what are we waiting for? Let’s get going.
Switzerland
Switzerland is well recognised for being a centre of wealth, so it stands to reason that it is one of the highest paying countries in the world. It’s worth remembering that the cost of living is also higher there.
That being said, if you get a solid career in place with a decent salary, it’s definitely worth it as Switzerland also has some of the highest living standards in the world.
Gevena is one of the country’s most popular expat destinations, although the whole country is bursting with opportunities. Not to mention its beautiful scenery, wonderful houses, delicious food and friendly locals.
The low crime rate also makes it an incredibly safe place to live and work.
Japan
Japan might not be the first place you think of when you consider working abroad. After all, the language can be harder to master and reading and writing well… that’s a whole other ball game.
However, Japan is becoming increasingly popular with expats, which is great news because the nation is actively seeking more foreign professionals to make up for its ageing population.
As such, there are plenty of exciting career opportunities there, particularly for English teachers, IT professionals, bankers, engineers and sales professionals.
And as for living there, Japan boasts some of the world’s highest living standards. Plus, it’s home to some of the most cutting edge infrastructure, incredible outdoor spaces and a wonderfully unique culture.
Canada
Canada has always been a popular destination for expats because of its opportunities for lifestyle and career advancements.
Skilled professionals can expect high salaries with the opportunity to earn well above average if they have the right skillset. Plus, the country is desperate for skilled immigrants and so getting a Canadian visa is much easier than some of the other countries on this list.
And in terms of living, Canada is one of the happiest nations in the world. Its low crime rates, great healthcare and beautiful open spaces make it a wonderful place to live.
Ecuador
Life is laid-back and relaxed in Ecuador and the great news is you don’t need a lot of money to live there. So while the wages might appear lower, you don’t need as much money as you normally do to live comfortably.
Although it can be trickier to obtain work here, if you already have an established business, you won’t struggle. As such, this destination might be preferable for digital nomads who can work remotely from their computer.
What’s more, Ecuador is one of the most geographically varied countries in the world. Surrounded by the Andes, the coast and the Amazon rainforest, it truly is a beautiful place to live. And because of its varied environment, the weather is generally pleasant and warm all year round.
New Zealand
The laid back nature of the Kiwis, coupled with the focus on work-life balance, makes working in New Zealand a firm favourite for expats.
If you’re a skilled worker, particularly one in the construction or pet care industry, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to find work there.
Then, when you’re not at work, you can enjoy the great outdoors, the friendly locals and generally embrace the higher standards of living.
Singapore
The professional landscape in Singapore is diverse and continuing to develop all the time. This makes it a great place for career opportunities and job hunting.
Not only this, but the need for talent means that wages are some of the highest in the developing world. This means jobs, in particular highly-skilled jobs, can be extremely lucrative.
It’s worth noting that Singapore can be an expensive place to live, but there are so many benefits that outweigh this. For example, the higher salaries, a low crime rate, ease of doing business and the fact that English is one of the official languages.
Oh, and did we mention it is one of the cleanest places in the world!
Thailand
Thailand is another hugely popular destinations with expats and travellers alike – and with good reason! From teaching and real-estate to development work or joining a multinational company, there are lots of opportunities for work there.
What’s more, if you’re a digital nomad and only require your laptop to work, you’ll be pleased to know that Thailand boasts high-speed internet, so you can always stay connected.
Better still, as well as incredible beaches, lovely locals and excellent food, the cost of living there is unbelievably low, especially if you’ve come from a more expensive Western nation.
This is why so many expats choose to call Thailand their home.
Australia
Last on our list is Australia. This consistently ranks as one of the greatest places to work in the world, particularly as an expat, thanks to the great weather, beautiful beaches and high standard of living. Whether you’re looking to work in the great outdoors or you want a reliable office job, there’s plenty of opportunities on offer.
Although you might not be making bags of cash, with a relatively high minimum wage, you can definitely live comfortably and enjoy everything Australia has to offer, even in one of the lower-paying roles.
And better still, people in Australia enjoy a great work-life balance, so you’ll have plenty of time after work to enjoy this beautiful country.
