According to Ban Ki-Moon, the former secretary-general of the United Nations, “Migration is an expression of the human aspiration for dignity, safety, and a better future. It is part of the social fabric, part of our very make-up as a human family.” People migrate for different reasons, the main one being in search of “greener pastures”. In this article, you will find the English-speaking countries with the lowest cost of living and high quality of life.
Therefore, the information contained here will be useful if you want to migrate to another English-speaking country. Also, If you are simply interested in visiting new places, you will find this article very helpful.
In reality, many people assume that it costs a fortune to migrate, but this is not always the case. As you will discover from this article, there are a couple of English-speaking countries with the lowest cost of living and high quality of life at the same time.
We have also highlighted reasons why you should choose any of the listed countries. The list covers European, North American, African, and Asian countries.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Country
There are several factors that determine the cost of living in countries and in this section, we will look into it, inorder to make the best decision in choosing a country either for visit, living and/or working.
1. The Cost Of Living
The price of house rent, electricity, transportation etc, should be on the top of your list when thinking to travel to another country. With a careful research, you will know which country is best suited for you.
As you read further in this article, you will find out a list of seven English-speaking countries with the lowest cost of living and high quality of life.
2. Educational Quality
It is often said that education is the bedrock of the society, and that is true. Imagine if you can obtain quality education at a very affordable price. This is another factor that determine whether or not a particular country is worth the relocation.
3. Healthcare System
Look into the healthcare system of the country, are there accessible healthcare facilities? Do they have an health insurance policy for its citizens? Put all these in consideration too.
4. Immigration Process
Ensure to find out the visa requirements, laws and immigration policies of the country before making a choice to travel. This will save one the disgrace of being deported, arrested or restricted simply because one didn’t meet requirements.
5. Tax
Some countries have double tax agreements with other nations which is quite good. Ensure to find out the tax payments our country of interest before moving in, so as to avoid unnecessary payments. Also, knowing this will help you plan your finances better.
With that being said, let us now look into the list of English-speaking countries with the lowest cost of liiving and high quality of life.
List Of English-Speaking Countries With The Lowest Cost of Living And High Quality Of Life
Here are a few options to consider, if you are looking to move to an English-speaking country without breaking the bank while still maintaining a high quality of life. Take a look: at the list of English-speaking countries with the Lowest Cost of Living:
1. Vietnam
Vietnam is the first on the list of English-speaking countries with the Lowest Cost of Living. Located in the Southeastern part of Asia. It is officially called the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
It shares borders with China to the North, Laos, and Cambodia to the West. She maintains maritime borders with Thailand through the Gulf of Thailand, and the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia through the South China Sea. It has Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) as its largest city and Hanoi as its capital.
Vietnamese is the official language, but a majority of them speak English. Agriculture has been the country’s major economic base. Interestingly, one of the important materials – Bauxite, used in the production of aluminum is mined in central Vietnam.
It is a safe country. Her police force and other security outfits are educated and properly trained to keep the country’s territories and citizens safe. The country is perfect for study and work in an exotic environment at a relatively low cost.
The most expensive city in Vietnam is Ho Chi Minh City, followed by the capital city – Hanoi. A couple living in these two cities can enjoy a restful middle-class lifestyle for less than $1,300 each month. A lot of people who live in these cities spend around $500 each month for a bare-bones lifestyle.
Concerning available job opportunities for foreigners, teaching English is a fine choice. If you are moving from an English-speaking country, then you shouldn’t have any trouble doing this. There are several volunteer opportunities for those who might be interested in teaching English during their stay there.
Aside from teaching the English language, there are other job opportunities. Like other countries, foreigners require a work permit to work legally in Vietnam. To find out more about how to get one, visit Vietnam-visa.
2. India
Largely rated as the cheapest English-speaking country in the world to live and work in, an Asian country is a delightful place. Officially called the Republic of India, it is a country located in the southern part of Asia. India is the second-most populous nation in the world.
She is also the seventh-largest country in terms of land area and the most populous democracy in the world.
India shares borders with Pakistan to the west, China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the north, and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east. A diverse country by many standards – multi-cultural, multi-religious, multi-racial, and multi-lingual. Official languages are Hindi and English.
A city apartment in Bangalore or Delhi typically costs anywhere from $150 to $600 per month, or you could just rent a room for as little as $2 per night in a smaller city. The general cost of living is also very affordable in most Indian cities. Mumbai is India’s largest city while New Delhi is the capital city.
According to a Wikipedia report on India’s economy, the Indian economy was nominally worth $2.7 trillion in 2020. It is reportedly the sixth-largest economy by market exchange rates and the third-largest by purchasing power parity (PPP).
As of 2017, India’s labor force was the second largest in the world with over 522 million workers. This number has since grown, yet there is room for you. As a result of the population density, there are tons of working opportunities for foreigners across different sectors.
3. Philippines
The Philippines is also one of the English-speaking countries with the Lowest Cost of Living. Officially known as the Republic of the Philippines, the country is archipelagic in the Southeastern part of Asia.
According to Wikipedia, the Philippines is located in the western Pacific Ocean and is made up of around 7,640 islands that are divided into three groups from north to south. The Philippines consists of three major geographical divisions namely Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The Philippines has a population of roughly 109 million people and covers an area of 300,000 km2 (120,000 sq mi), making it the world’s twelfth most populous country as of 2020.
It is primarily a multiethnic and multicultural country with a wide range of ethnicities and cultures spread over its islands. The country’s capital city is Manila while its largest city is Quezon City, both cities are located within the urban area of Metro Manila.
Arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with lovely beaches and inexpensive travel experiences. Perfect for tourism and holiday getaways, imagine making a residence in this city. Though English is a second language for the average Filipino, they speak fluent English.
Living costs are affordable in the Philippines. Rent typically ranges between $100 to $400 per month, depending on the type of apartment you desire and the region. If you shop at local stores and don’t mind street food, you could thrive on $10 a day (or less). A restaurant meal costs about $5 while a McDonald’s meal would cost you about $3. The Philipines offers dream living on a budget.
An industrious country by many standards. Her primary exports include electronic products, transport equipment, clothes, copper products, petroleum products, coconut oil, and fruits. The country has a thriving economy, you would find settling down in the Philippines cheaper compared to European countries.
4. South Africa
Another country with the Lowest Cost of Living is South Africa. This country is comfortably seated in Southern Africa. It is officially known as the Republic of South Africa.
Unlike many other countries in the world, South Africa has three capital cities: executive – Pretoria, judicial – Bloemfontein, and legislative – Cape Town. It has Johannesburg as its largest city.
South Africa is the world’s 23rd most populous nation on earth, covering an area of 1,221,037 square kilometers (471,445 square miles). Largely a multiethnic nation, she has a wide variety of cultures, languages, and religions. SA has 11 official languages including English. The country operates a mixed economy with the South African Rand as its national currency.
This country is possibly the most inexpensive English-speaking country to live in. The cost of living in South Africa is somewhat higher than you may be expecting. This is due to her rising economy and the effect of the same on the South African rand. It is cheaper to live in South Africa than so many North American, European, and Asian countries.
As for employment opportunities in South Africa, there are several really fine jobs in demand, some of which are skill-based. If you are a professional, there are tons of opportunities for you as well. For more information and a guide on jobs in South Africa see Expatica.
5. Thailand
Thailand is also recognized as the cheapest English-speaking country in the world with the Lowest Cost of Living. She is a tropical paradise with amazing scenery, welcoming people, and a low cost of living. Thailand was formerly known as Siam but is now known as the Kingdom of Thailand. It is a Southeast Asian country, located at the center of the Indochinese Peninsula, covering 513,120 square kilometers (198,120 sq mi) and a human population of over 66 million people.
Thailand is a delightful tourist destination and a great option for anyone who is looking to work or live in a cheap English-speaking nation.
Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand and doubles as the country’s largest city too. The country is reputed for tropical beaches, opulent royal palaces, and the like.
The country has experienced tremendous growth and development in terms of infrastructure in the past 10 years. This growth and infrastructural facelift have led to better economic growth, opening the door for foreigners to live and work there.
Its economy is seriously export-dependent, through these exports more than two-thirds of gross domestic product is realized. This country exports over US$105 billion worth of goods and services annually.
The cost of living in Thailand is affordable and deeply dependent on your lifestyle. You’ll find reasonably priced rent for as little as $200, and you can eat a whole delicious local meal for $3. For jobs in Thailand, there are many good quality jobs available on demand there.
Thailand was formerly known as Siam but is now known as the Kingdom of Thailand. It is a Southeast Asian country, located at the center of the Indochinese Peninsula, covering 513,120 square kilometers (198,120 sq mi) and a human population of over 66 million people.
6. Peru
Peru is one of the cheapest countries to travel to and live in South America. According to Trip.com, you can expect to spend around $30 to $50 per day in Peru, including accommodation, food, transportation, and activities. It has a population of over 32 million, and its capital and largest city is Lima. At 1,285,216 km2 (496,225 sq mi), Peru is the 19th largest country in the world, and the third largest in South America, Wikipedia.
The cost of living is quite affordable for it to be mentioned among the countries with the lowest cost of living. Peru is famous for its landmarks · Machu Picchu · Nazca Lines · Vinicunca (Rainbow Mountain).
Other interesting facts about Peru is
- The Amazon River starts its journey in Peru.
- Peru is the origin of the Inca civilization.
- Some Peruvians live on floating Islands.
- It boasts the tallest dunes in the world.
- Guinea pig is a Peruvian culinary delicacy.
- Peru is home to most of the world’s alpacas.
The cost of living for a 1-bed apartment rent can be as low as $250, while a meal in a local market will set you back $1-3. To assist with your finance, you can take on English teaching jobs, marketing or tourism jobs as they are very easy to find.
7. Poland
Poland is another cheap country to live and work in. It is situated in Europe, and has a total area of 312,679 km² (120,728 sq mi) it’s the seventh biggest country on the continent. Not to worry too much, English language is the second language of some people after Polish. They recently registered a sum of about English (103,541 speakers). It is part of the Schengen Zone which means that EU countries can travel to Poland without a visa.
The cost of house rent in Poland is $350 for a 1-bed apartment and a meal out at an inexpensive restaurant is around $5.
Other include: Armenia, Romania, Ghana, Malaysia
Conclusion: English-Speaking Countries With The Lowest Cost Of Living
If you are looking to go on a vacation to an English-speaking country on a low budget, or you plan to move permanently, the countries highlighted in this article are great options. While this list is not comprehensive and absolute, it is a great guide.
Whichever English-speaking country you visit or migrate to, don’t forget that your cost of living will depend on your lifestyle. Visit linked sites to get more information.
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