Looking to migrate? These are the 6 best countries to live in as an international student

So you’ve decided to study abroad. Congratulations!

But with almost 200 countries in the world to choose from and an average cost of US$15,000 to US$35,000 for every year spent abroad, it’s important that we identify the best countries to live in.

We need to understand what each country can offer us, from the degrees available, how much they cost, lifestyle, safety, language and even whether they have the food that meets our cultural needs.

While global rankings are helpful in helping us find the right universities for us, we need to keep in mind that we also need to choose institutions in the best countries to live in for international students.

But how is “best” justified in this situation?

The best countries to live in, defined

The term “best” is subjective. Everyone has their own version of what is best for them.

In this case, it’s about finding the best countries for international students to live a safe, comfortable life.

We can look at a few global reports and surveys:

1. The United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) gives us a measure of the quality of life in a country, based on its assessment of how long people live there, what people study, and how much they make.
2. The World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI) give us an idea of how politically stable a country is. It measures six dimensions of governance: voice and accountability, political stability and absence of violence, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law, and control of corruption.
3. The Global Social Mobility Index 2022 shows us how people in 82 countries move up or down the social ladder.
4. The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) measures how sustainable 180 countries are.

Combining the above gives us a fuller picture of what it’s like to not just travel, but uproot and move our entire lives to these countries.

Remember, however, that there is no single best country to live in. Everyone’s different, with unique priorities and circumstances — you could be looking at the most affordable countries, or places with friendly government policies and initiatives for international students.

Our list today is based on what people want and need from a fresh start — and as such, can provide a good starting point for your research.

The UK is home to over 300 different ethnic groups, the most common being Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Black Caribbean. Source: AFP

6 best countries to live in as an international student in 2025

1. UK

There are so many things to love about the UK — the royals, the touristy sites, the double-decker buses, and a good ole staple meal of fish and chips.

But what makes it one of the best countries to live in as an international student?

For decades, the UK has been one of the most renowned countries for its prestigious universities. Whether you are looking at law at Oxford, anthropology at Cambridge, or engineering at the University of Edinburgh, numerous institutes are ready to welcome you.

Upon graduating, you can follow the footsteps of scores of migrants who have gone on to roles in healthcare, education, construction, and hospitality — contributing an estimated 131 billion pounds to the UK economy.

The country has welcomed migrants since the Roman era and today is home to over 300 different ethnic groups, the most common being Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Black Caribbean. In 2021, there were an estimated 1.4 million Indians. The UK has the most multicultural capital city in Europe as well.

Sonali Prakashbabu, a hospitality student at the Manchester Metropolitan University, says, “In the UK, people are nice — they always greet you, always make sure you’re comfortable, and make sure to ask you how you are.”

Outside of the classroom, there are so many exciting and fun things to do, too. Take a trip to an iconic city like Bath or Salisbury with some mates. Look out for the nearest pub to share a meal and enjoy a pint of beer before heading back to the bustling city of London.

And what’s great about living in cities like London is its very reliable, convenient and extensive public transport system that consists of buses, trains, and underground tubes.

Everyone speaks English, so asking for directions or help will never be an issue.

Fall can be a magical time to stroll through parks, especially if you’re in one of the best countries to live in. Source: AFP

2. Sweden

Sweden is best known for taking care of its people. Most expats will tell you they enjoy a good quality of life in this Scandinavian country. Every year, the country warmly welcomes about 100,000 expats.

Sweden is also fast becoming one of the hottest European hubs for startups, with Stockholm the birthplace of Spotify, Skype and Mojang.

The nation’s two iconic brands — Ikea and H&M — are large employers of foreigners as well.

All of this creates more jobs and more opportunities for Swedes and foreigners to move up the social ladder.

“Sweden is very innovative in terms of its gastronomy and beyond that, the country has amazing talent such as the people behind Skype and the people behind Spotify,” says Divya Mohan, an Erasmus Mundus graduate working in the sustainable food industry. “Innovation is deeply rooted here, especially with food and startups.

If you’re worried about not being able to connect with your Swedish colleagues, don’t be.

Swedes are the best in the world at speaking English as a second language, the global EF English Proficiency Index says.

If you need to learn Swedish, the government offers free classes called SFI. So that covers all bases for languages.

Getting a visa is much easier if you already have an official job offer from a Swedish employer, with some exceptions, of course. EU and Norwegian citizens do not even need a visa to work in Sweden.

Not sure if the country is right for you to work and live in? Try going in first on a working holiday visa and see if you like it.

Australia has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, like Cottesloe Beach, pictured here. Source: AFP

3. Australia

Australia, or “Straya,” as the locals would call it, has been a haven and one of the best countries to live in for international students.

Here, the weather is beautiful all year. Even in the winter, it is never too cold — you can spend your Christmas on the sunny beach!

But why live here? If you are looking for a balanced lifestyle, this is one of the best countries to live in.

Australians are known globally to have some of the calmest and most relaxed demeanours, which means it’s a great place to study, raise a family or start a career.

And you can do it with an estimated 7.3 million foreign-born migrants just like you. That means more than one in four people you’ll meet in Australia are from abroad, predominantly from India, China, England, New Zealand, and the Philippines.

Want somewhere serene and quiet? Tasmania offers that — according to law graduate Puteri Sofia Binti Amirnuddin, she described the place like a postcard. Clean air, rolling hills, and a beautiful expanse of blue skies and ocean.

If you prefer city life, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane are great choices. You may be surprised to find a large Chinese population in these locations — Sydney and Victoria rank first and second, respectively, in terms of Chinese population sizes in Australia.

Each city has a vibrant nightlife, and workplaces are usually fond of bonding over a meal and drinks after work. Public transport is well-developed, with trains, trams, buses, and more available throughout the cities.

And if you’re a picky eater, don’t worry  — any diet will never really be an issue here; there is something for everyone.

If you love the cold, you will love Canada. Here, people enjoy their lunch on benches at Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto during the winter. Source: AFP

4. Canada

For those looking at the best countries to live in as an international student, Canada is often a popular option.

So popular, in fact, that it’s putting caps on international study permits in 2025 and 2026 to address the housing shortage, overburdened health systems, and rising living costs.

Toronto, for example, is by far the most populous city in Canada’s most popular immigrant destination province.

The reason? Canada tops several rankings for quality of life — you’ll find it in the top five positions on ranking lists such as US News & World Report’s Quality of Life.

It’s one of the best countries to live in simply because of its high standard of living.

The country’s exceptional healthcare system is renowned for being one of the best in the world. Most residents apply for public health insurance, which covers most treatments in hospitals, physicians, and even dentists.

If you are an international student with a young family or parents, you can be assured that the country is extremely safe. Canada is ranked the third safest country in the world in 2025, with only Iceland and Australia surpassing it.

In a country where everyone speaks English, you will be encouraged to maintain your culture, religion, and practices in everyday life.

The best part? If you qualify for permanent residency, your children will receive free public education from kindergarten to the end of high school.

However, if you’re a work or study permit holder, your children may qualify for a fee-exempt status under certain conditions.

There are plenty of things to love about Germany, including its vibrant cities and beautiful nature. Source: AFP

5. Germany

Among the best countries to live in as an international student is Germany.

Known for having no tuition fees, the country has steadily gained ranks as one of the top study destinations for international students.

Universities like the Technical University of Munich, LMU Munich, and Universität Heidelberg all rank within the global top 50 on Times Higher Education.

Pair that with an affordable cost of living — around US$1,040 a month — and it’s a dream destination for many who wish to study abroad.

Many also choose to stay on after graduating, enjoying what the country has to offer — it has a stable political environment, a diverse array of cultures, and quality public healthcare systems.

“I really enjoy living in Germany as it’s a central location in Europe and Frankfurt is a city that offers a lot,” says international student Sanae Serghini, who hails from Morocco and is now living in Germany full-time. “It’s full of museums, the skyline is amazing, and the city is the perfect balance of modern and traditional structures.”

Another reason? According to the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the labour market is very attractive to foreigners.

In fact, a survey revealed that 81% of the 120,000 German and international students said there were good career prospects after graduation.

What about the lifestyle here? From its many historical places to visit and all-year-round festivals to exploring German culture through its scrumptious food, you will never be bored.

For those who are more adventurous and want to take the scenic route, Germany is where you can ride a bike anywhere and even connect with fellow cyclists who will offer free accommodation if you are riding through Europe.

Singapore offers stunning sights and a high quality of life. Source: AFP

6. Singapore

If you’re considering migrating to Asia, Singapore would probably be the first option to come to mind.

Over 25,320 people migrated to Singapore in 2024, contributing to a record population high of 6.04 million.

Many would think that Singapore, a country that takes only 45 minutes to cross from one end to the other, would be a densely packed environment, filled with towering buildings and noisy traffic.

It doesn’t help that it’s situated near the equator, either — the weather can be hot, oppressive, and overcast, with average temperatures rising to 32 degrees Celsius and high humidity throughout the year.

But that doesn’t mean it’s unlivable. Urban greenery is a big thing here – the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) incentivises developers to incorporate environmentally friendly concepts into their designs and landscapes, enhancing tranquillity and sustainability.

As a result, those living in Singapore enjoy less polluted air and cooler temperatures than neighbouring countries along the equator.

More importantly, it boasts a vibrant lifestyle. Dr Tyler Sherwood, Head of Chatsworth International School in Singapore, describes Singapore as “an incredibly positive bubble.”

“Singapore is a good place for families to live in as the schools and wider environment – community, friends, social networks – tick all the right boxes,” says Dr Sherwood. “That’s why you have expats who come in and stay for a long time, like myself.”

The local food scene is as diverse as its population. You’ll find Michelin-starred restaurants, innovative cocktail bars, hawker stalls and family-run joints drawing on influences from China, India, Malaysia and beyond.

Getting around is also easy, as the country has an extensive and integrated network of roads, trains, and buses.

And then there’s its flagship university, the National University of Singapore, which ranks within the global top 10, and is known as one of Asia’s most prestigious universities.

Disclaimer: This article was last updated on May 15, 2025.