Best Countries for Expat Families: 6 Destinations Great For Raising Kids

Making the decision to relocate for work as an expat is never easy. And with expat families, even more complexities come into play. From picking a destination that can provide a good quality of education to the availability of good children’s healthcare, there are so many more factors to consider before uprooting your family to a whole new country.

Wondering where would be a good country to accommodate your expat family? To help you narrow down your search, we have put together a list of 6 top countries of choice by expat families!

Nordic Countries (Finland, Sweden & Norway)

Nordic nations have traditionally performed especially well in surveys for expat families – Finland particularly has taken the crown on the list for 4 consecutive years, with Sweden just behind in 2^nd place and Norway in 6^th place.

Some of the top reasons why these Nordic countries are so well-loved by expats include:

• The Affordability and Quality of Education – There are various schemes that help parents offset costs for school fees until the child turns 17, up to 97% of children from the age of 6 starts attending public preschool, and the fact that they have world-class education systems in place is very assuring for parents looking to raise their kids in these countries.
• Generous Childcare Policies – Looking after children is not easy especially when you have to work. This is why the generous childcare policies in the Nordic countries are such lifesavers for many expat parents. From free universal daycare to the age of 7, to entitlements of up to 16 months of parental paid leaves, it is little wonder why parents thrive in such an environment.

Belgium

Next on the list is a European nation where many expat families consider a better and safer place to raise their kids compared to even their home countries.

Here are some key reasons why expat families choose to move to Belgium:

• A Global Community of Expat Parents – With plenty of migrant families raising their kids in this vibrant European country, new expat parents have a great support network in place. Especially with formal non-for-profit organizations like the Brussels Childbirth Trust, which is a fantastic resource for any parents looking to raise their kids in Belgium and share parenting experiences with other fellow expats.
• Child-Friendly – The many outdoor spaces and wide range of activities perfect for family bonding or children’s playtime are ideal for parents looking to entertain their kids on the weekends. Even indoor spaces have particularly child-friendly policies so that bringing your family out is never a hassle.
• Affordable Infant Care – Have young children under the age of 3? You will be glad to know that the government in Belgium offers affordable infant care for parents working full time.

Canada

A popular expat destination, Canada, also makes it for the list for both single expats and families alike!

Some main reasons why expat families decide to head to Canada include:

• Safe and Sound – Canada ranks high on the list of safe countries in the world thanks to its enviable low crime rate and strict regulations on gun ownership.
• Affordable and Well-Developed Public Healthcare System – Expat children with a residence permit are entitled to free education up to high school – saving their parents significant sums of money.
• Plenty of Natural Open Spaces – Want to raise your child in an environment away from crowded urban spots and close to natural open settings? Canada’s vast number of kid-friendly natural green spaces like parks and reserves are perfect for children and families to connect with nature recreationally.

Singapore

Making it into the top 10 list and being the top choice for expat families in Asia, is Singapore, a vibrant cosmopolitan city beloved by expats and families alike for good reason.

Here are some reasons why expat families choose to live in Singapore:

• Native English-Speaking Population – Worried about your kids having to acclimatize to a completely different environment in Asia? Well, here is some good news, Singapore is the rare Asian country where English is the main language in use – so both you and your kids will not find it so hard to adjust.
• Safety – When it comes to our families, safety is often a critical concern. A regular contender of the safest city in the world, there are few places better than Singapore to raise your kids.
• World-Class Education System in the World – Many of the world’s countries look to Singapore for advice when it comes to education policies and curriculum – so parents can expect a world-class education for their kids.

New Zealand

Last but not least on our list of destinations favoured by expats families, we have New Zealand.

And here are a few motivations why expat families decide to head to New Zealand:

• Excellent Education System – The education system New Zealand ranks amongst the top 20 countries in the world, assuring parents that their kids will have a quality education.
• Outdoor Opportunities – With plenty of beaches, clean natural water sources, and pristine forests, children get amazing opportunities to truly experience nature at its best! In fact, many expat parents feel that their kids get more physically active after moving to New Zealand!
• Quality Healthcare – When it comes to our kids, having affordable and easily accessible healthcare is key. In New Zealand, that is something you do not have to worry about.

Which Country Is the Best Place for Your Family?

While you can continue to research and review the different surveys by expat parents, the fundamental question you need to ask yourself is: Which country is best suited for your family’s needs?

Depending on your specific family requirements, certain countries might be more attractive than others. If having outdoor opportunities for your children is critical, you would gravitate towards countries like New Zealand or Canada. If providing your children with top-in-class education is key, then perhaps a country like Singapore would be ideal.

Let us know in the comments below, which country you eventually decided on relocating to and why?