Málaga: the most popular city for expats in 2023
Málaga is the clear winner among the 49 cities rated for expats in 2023, and has rightfully earned the title of best destination. One of the main reasons for this success is its exceptionally friendly locals - up to 89 % respondents said that locals are particularly friendly to foreigners, compared to the global average of 65 %. Unsurprisingly, Málaga also came 2nd in the Making Friends category. Another key factor is the high ranking in the Quality of Life Index, where the city holds 2nd place. Málaga's famously pleasant climate and weather, which earned it the absolute top spot (1st place), and its beautiful natural environment (8th place) make it one of the best destinations in the world. The wide range of leisure activities also contributes to this, which earned the city 2nd place in this category.
However, Málaga also excels in other areas. In the aforementioned sub-categories of Travel and Transport (8th place) and Healthcare (10th place), it is ranked in the top ten. Although it "only" reached 13th place in the Work Abroad category, which is still above average, it scores 1st place in the Work and Leisure sub-category, where it shines thanks to its excellent work-life balance. In the Expat Basic Needs Index (ranked 7th), expats appreciate the ease of access to housing (ranked 11th) and especially its affordability (ranked 5th), making Málaga an attractive option even for those on a tighter budget. In the Personal Finance Index, the city even earned the highest ranking (1st place), mainly due to its low cost of living, where it also dominates.
Overall, Málaga is an inspiring place to live - 88 % expats are happy with their lives here, well above the global average of 72 %. This makes the city not just a destination, but a true home that offers quality of life, opportunities and a warm welcome.
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