Over 87 million people are estimated to live as expats across the globe, and many of them have moved overseas in search of a better quality of life.
International consulting firm Mercer recently ranked Zurich as the best location for expats based on economic, social, and environmental factors.
The company released its annual Quality of Living City Ranking, evaluating cities with the best living conditions for international workers. Mercer considers factors such as political stability, health care, education, infrastructure, and cultural environment.
“This year, Zurich, Switzerland, takes the top position, fueled by its outstanding public services, low crime rates, and a lively cultural scene, all backed by efficient infrastructure and a dedication to sustainability,” the report reads, pointing out that the Swiss city has added several new direct flight routes to and from other continents improving its connectivity.
Switzerland’s largest city serves as a global financial hub where over 400,000 people, or about 28 percent of its population, are foreign-born. It is divided into 12 districts, with the Old Town dating back over 2,000 years at its heart.
Earlier this year, Zurich was also named the world’s smartest city for its innovative integration of new technologies, which improves urban life. The prestigious Economist Intelligence Unit highlighted it as the third most livable city in 2024, with perfect scores in the education and healthcare categories.
However, if you’re considering moving there, keep in mind that it has also repeatedly ranked as one of the priciest cities in the world. Mercer identifies it as the third most expensive place to live, behind Hong Kong and Singapore.
Switzerland has the most cities — four — among the top ten in Mercer’s 2024 report. Geneva climbed two spots this year to third place, while Bern and Basel improved their standing by four and are now ninth and tenth, respectively.
Vienna, which topped the ranking last year, dropped to second place in 2024. However, the Austrian capital offers a good balance of quality of life and affordability, as it ranked 24th for cost of living.
Auckland (5th) and Vancouver (7th) are the only non-European cities in the top ten. Boston (32nd) is the highest-ranking American city on the list, which highlights 241 cities worldwide.
The worst cities for expats this year are Bangui, Central African Republic (239th), Baghdad, Iraq (240th), and Khartoum, Sudan (241st).
You can read the complete report and its findings on mercer.com.
