One of the world’s most authoritative expat surveys has published its latest annual results after analysing 82 cities… and Barcelona has once again achieved a prominent ranking. Seventh, in fact, in a diverse list of countries led by Taiwan for a second consecutive year.
Now in its sixth edition, the Expat City Ranking was created by InterNations to determine the best places to live abroad. A total of 20,259 participants globally shared their experiences from 2019, representing 182 nationalities and living in 187 countries or territories.
Several of the destinations surveyed attract a majority of expats — three in 10 live in Germany, the US, Switzerland, the UK or the UAE — but the Expat Insider study also included responses from “more unusual” expat destinations such as Aruba, Turkmenistan and Vanuatu.
Ranked, in order, after Taiwan as the best cities to move to in 2020 were: Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Montréal, Lisbon, Barcelona, Zug, The Hague and Basel (10th).
As for Barcelona, InterNations reported that the city had been voted number one in the “Leisure & Climate” subcategory. “Nearly every expat is happy with the local climate (98% vs. 59% globally) and the local leisure options in the city (95% vs. 74% globally).” One US expat noted that there were “lots of social activities, cultural activities and art”.
Barcelona also ranked ninth in the “Health & Environment” subcategory, with 88% of expats satisfied with the availability of healthcare in the city (vs. 73% globally).
In other categories, the city ranked 13th in “Getting Settled”. More than three in four expats (77%) felt at home in the city (vs. 64% globally), and 73% were happy with their social life (vs. 55% globally). Expats in Barcelona said they found it easy to get used to the local culture (77% vs. 62% globally) and three in five (60%) also said it was easy to make friends (vs. 45% globally).
Excellent Region for Investment
In another survey, Cataluña was rated as the best southern European region for investment in 2020-2021. This was the third time in a row that fDi Magazine (part of the Financial Times media group) had awarded top spot to Cataluña, which encompases three provinces including Barcelona (where the eponymous regional capital city is located).
In compiling the twice-yearly ranking, which is used by multinationals to study future business investments, fDi Magazine looked at 150 regions in terms of their connectivity, business climate, economic potential, human capital and foreign investment strategies.
“We are very happy that this distinction positions us as a hub for technological investment,” said regional business minister Àngels Chacón, adding that such recognition “shows that Cataluña is synonymous with confidence, international openness and, above all, the future.” According to the minister, there are more than 8,600 subsidiaries of foreign companies in Cataluña, including 1,000 in the technology sector.
Ranked after Cataluña were the regions of Madrid (second) and Lombardy (third).
Further good news came for Barcelona with its naming as “Best Spanish Port” in the Cruise Ships Excellence Awards. Organised by the Cruises News Media Group, the awards were decided from the results of a survey among cruise ship passengers.
Meanwhile, Sitges in Barcelona province has received a special mention in a survey by TravelGay.com of the most popular LGBTQ+ tourist countries around the world last year.
According to Travel Daily Media, Thailand was ranked the highest, followed by Japan and Spain.
The website concluded that one of the most important aspects related to equality and contributing to Spain’s popularity among LGBTQ+ visitors was legal marriage for homosexuals, while key events included Orgullo Gay in Madrid and stand-out destinations, Sitges.
Check out here why Sitges is so popular with LGBTQ+ and other tourists.
Check out here why Sitges is so popular with LGBTQ+ and other tourists.