Best Countries for Retirement 2026
Countries ranked by cost of living, healthcare, climate, and quality of life for retirees. Based on World Bank, 2025 data across 191 countries.
#1: Iraq. Based on life expectancy, cost of living sweet spot, inflation rate, Iraq ranks as the top country for retirement with a score of 56.7. Bahrain (42.8) and Oman (42.5) round out the top three.
Top 30 Countries Ranked
| # | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Iraq | 56.7 / 56.7 |
| 2 |  Bahrain | 42.8 / 56.7 |
| 3 |  Oman | 42.5 / 56.7 |
| 4 |  South Korea | 42.1 / 56.7 |
| 5 |  Japan | 41.9 / 56.7 |
| 6 |  Spain | 41.8 / 56.7 |
| 7 |  Cyprus | 41.7 / 56.7 |
| 8 |  China | 41.6 / 56.7 |
| 9 |  Portugal | 41.2 / 56.7 |
| 10 |  Armenia | 41.2 / 56.7 |
| 11 |  Kuwait | 41.1 / 56.7 |
| 12 |  Greece | 40.2 / 56.7 |
| 13 |  Saudi Arabia | 40.0 / 56.7 |
| 14 |  Albania | 39.7 / 56.7 |
| 15 |  Costa Rica | 39.5 / 56.7 |
| 16 |  Bosnia and Herzegovina | 39.4 / 56.7 |
| 17 |  Bahamas | 39.1 / 56.7 |
| 18 |  Georgia | 38.0 / 56.7 |
| 19 |  Chile | 37.7 / 56.7 |
| 20 |  Italy | 37.3 / 56.7 |
| 21 |  Panama | 37.0 / 56.7 |
| 22 |  Maldives | 36.9 / 56.7 |
| 23 |  Bulgaria | 36.8 / 56.7 |
| 24 |  Slovenia | 36.7 / 56.7 |
| 25 |  Montenegro | 36.7 / 56.7 |
| 26 |  Barbados | 36.4 / 56.7 |
| 27 |  Azerbaijan | 36.3 / 56.7 |
| 28 |  Malta | 36.2 / 56.7 |
| 29 |  Qatar | 36.0 / 56.7 |
| 30 |  United Arab Emirates | 35.8 / 56.7 |
How We Ranked These Countries
Our ranking uses a composite scoring model built from publicly available World Bank, 2025 indicators. Each country receives a score based on the following weighted factors. Countries without sufficient data are excluded from the ranking.
Scoring Factors
- Life expectancy (healthcare quality)
- Cost of living sweet spot
- Inflation rate (purchasing power stability)
- Climate latitude (comfort)
Scores are normalized to allow fair comparison across countries with varying data availability. This ranking reflects quantitative indicators only and does not capture subjective factors like cultural openness or visa accessibility, which may also influence your decision.
Top 5 Countries: Detailed Profiles
Iraq ranks #1 overall with a composite score of 56.7. Its GDP per capita of $6,073.61 reflects the level of economic infrastructure available. Life expectancy stands at 72.3 years, indicating strong healthcare and quality of life. The inflation rate of -12.3% provides insight into economic stability. Unemployment at 15.5% suggests the state of the job market. An infant mortality rate of 20.8 per 1,000 live births signals healthcare access and quality. Located in Western Asia, Iraq has a population of 46.1M.
Bahrain ranks #2 overall with a composite score of 42.8. Its GDP per capita of $29,653.568 reflects the level of economic infrastructure available. Life expectancy stands at 81.3 years, indicating strong healthcare and quality of life. The inflation rate of 0.9% provides insight into economic stability. Unemployment at 1.1% suggests the state of the job market. An infant mortality rate of 7.2 per 1,000 live births signals healthcare access and quality. Located in Western Asia, Bahrain has a population of 1.6M.
Oman ranks #3 overall with a composite score of 42.5. Its GDP per capita of $20,285.227 reflects the level of economic infrastructure available. Life expectancy stands at 80.0 years, indicating strong healthcare and quality of life. The inflation rate of 0.6% provides insight into economic stability. Unemployment at 3.3% suggests the state of the job market. An infant mortality rate of 8.4 per 1,000 live births signals healthcare access and quality. Located in Western Asia, Oman has a population of 5.3M.
South Korea ranks #4 overall with a composite score of 42.1. Its GDP per capita of $36,238.64 reflects the level of economic infrastructure available. Life expectancy stands at 83.4 years, indicating strong healthcare and quality of life. The inflation rate of 2.3% provides insight into economic stability. Unemployment at 2.7% suggests the state of the job market. An infant mortality rate of 2.3 per 1,000 live births signals healthcare access and quality. Located in Eastern Asia, South Korea has a population of 51.2M.
Japan ranks #5 overall with a composite score of 41.9. Its GDP per capita of $32,487.078 reflects the level of economic infrastructure available. Life expectancy stands at 84.0 years, indicating strong healthcare and quality of life. The inflation rate of 2.7% provides insight into economic stability. Unemployment at 2.5% suggests the state of the job market. An infant mortality rate of 1.8 per 1,000 live births signals healthcare access and quality. Located in Eastern Asia, Japan has a population of 123.2M.
Best Country by Region
Honorable Mentions
These countries narrowly missed the top 5 but still score highly across all measured indicators. Depending on your personal priorities, any of these could be an excellent choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best country to retire in 2026?
Iraq ranks first for retirement based on healthcare quality, cost of living balance, economic stability, and climate. Bahrain and Oman are also top choices.
How much money do you need to retire abroad?
Requirements vary dramatically by country. In high-income countries, plan for $2,000-4,000/month. In mid-income countries with lower cost of living, $1,000-2,000/month can provide a comfortable lifestyle.
Which countries offer retirement visas?
Many countries actively court retirees with special visa programs. Popular options include Portugal (D7 visa), Panama (Pensionado), Malaysia (MM2H), and Thailand (retirement visa for over-50s).
Is healthcare affordable for retirees abroad?
Countries with high life expectancy scores tend to have quality healthcare. Many offer public healthcare access to residents at low cost, though private insurance provides additional peace of mind.
What is the cheapest country to retire comfortably?
Countries with GDP per capita between $5,000 and $15,000 often offer the best value for retirees, combining affordable living costs with adequate healthcare and infrastructure.
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Data: World Bank, 2025 · Last updated March 2026 · 191 countries scored