The 5 Best Countries In The World, Per Travel Experts

A mother and daughter in Switzerland (Photo by margouillat photo on Shutterstock)

Travel enthusiasts and globe-trotters, get ready to update your bucket lists! The world is brimming with extraordinary destinations, each offering its unique blend of culture, natural beauty, and unforgettable experiences. From the sun-kissed beaches of Australia to the historic charm of Italy, and the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand, there’s a country out there for every type of traveler. In this article, we unveil the best countries in the world to visit, live, and explore, showcasing the places that promise adventure, serenity, and a lifetime of memories. We created our list based on the top recommendations across 10 expert websites. Have you moved to another country? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments below!

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The List: Best Countries in the World

1. Switzerland

Switzerland is a small country in central Europe known for being one of the wealthiest and most scenic countries in the world. Their economy is one of the best. “Switzerland has low unemployment, a skilled labor force and one of the highest gross domestic products per capita in the world,” reports U.S. News. “The country’s strong economy is powered by low corporate tax rates, a highly-developed service sector led by financial services and a high-tech manufacturing industry.”

Switzerland is a wonderland of snowy mountains, flowery fields, lakes, and other picturesque landscapes. “Crammed between the ancient regions of France, Germany, and Italy, Switzerland is a natural wonder made up of mountains, lakes, and medieval landmarks. Across the board, and especially in security, Switzerland scores top marks in citizen contentment,” says World Atlas.

What effect does this have on the country’s citizens? “The people of Switzerland enjoy impressive health, including long life expectancies (82 years for males and 85.9 for females) and a relative lack of fatal diseases,” notes World Population Review. “While Switzerland’s cost of living is high, so too is its overall standard of living.”

Spring in the Swiss Alps with a pond and green grass — Spring in the Swiss Alps (Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash)

2. Denmark

Denmark is a country in Northern Europe that is known for being one of the happiest countries in the world. “One of the most impressive parts of Denmark is income equality,” remarks Get Golden Visa. “Also, the country is pretty politically stable and safe for living in. A well-developed public health and education system further improves the quality of life in the country.”

Denmark has free universal healthcare and education for all citizens. “Denmark ranks high in ‘social trust’, which measures people’s trust in one another, their government, and public institutions such as police and hospitals,” writes World Population Review.

World Atlas writes: “‘There is a lovely country’ is a lyric from the 1819 Danish National anthem that still rings true 200 years later. Sweeping landscapes of endless meadows and fascinating geology make up this northern region.”

Colorful houses along the water in Copenhagen, Denmark — Colorful homes along the water in Copenhagen, Denmark (Photo by Adrian Cuj on Unsplash)

3. Japan

Japan is a land of thriving industry, from agriculture to technology like robotics. English speaking teachers are also high in demand. “Japan is also in the top 10 best countries for: cultural influence, entrepreneurship, power, up & coming economies, most-forward looking, most influential, green living, education,” writes CNBC.

Japan is the perfect combination of scenic beauty and modern bustle. Get lost in the streets of Shibuya or enjoy the Sakura cherry blossom season at a temple. “You’ll still find the incredible restaurants, the ultra-relaxing onsens, the Shinto temples, the cherry blossoms, and the impeccably clean and efficient high-speed trains, which run along some of the most scenic rail routes in the world,” says Condé Nast Traveler.

Japan ranks sixth in best countries overall for U.S. News. “Japan, one of the world’s most literate and technically advanced nations, is an East Asian archipelago country made up of four primary islands and more than 6,800 others. While most of Japan is covered by mountains and heavily wooded areas, the country’s people lead a distinctly urban lifestyle. Long culturally influenced by its neighbors, today the country blends its ancient traditions with aspects of Western life.”

Busy downtown Shibuya, Japan with billboards and lights — Downtown in Shibuya, Japan (Photo by Jezael Melgoza on Unsplash)

4. Norway

Norway is also high on the list of overall citizen happiness. Both healthcare and education are also free here, and even unskilled work pays enough to live off of. Visual Capitalist writes: “For starters, it achieved the highest score in the Health category, largely because of its high average life expectancy, which is 83 years old, or 9 years longer than the global average.”

Norway is known for being a relatively rich country due to rich natural resources, productive labor forces, and the ability to buy and sell international goods at good prices. “The Scandinavian country famous for its fjords and fishing may not seem the obvious place for high-flying expats to make a name for themselves – but it has plenty to recommend it,” writes William Russell. “No wonder Norway is one of the best countries to live in.”

Dog sled with Northern Lights in the background — The Northern Lights in Norway (Photo by Thomas Lipke on Unsplash)

5. Germany

In Germany you have the option of living a stable life in the city or the country, while being supported by excellent public health and education systems. “One main advantage of Germany is the high level of education. The world ranking of the 500 best universities in the world includes 47 German universities,” writes Immigrant Invest.

World Population Review adds: “Nearly the entire population of Germany has received higher education, with 96% of people in Germany undertaking some form of post-graduate schooling or university classes (which are tuition-free).”

Germany also offers a good economy and ample business opportunities. High wages, low costs of living, low government corruption, and effective transportation make this country profitable and stable. “Germany received a perfect 100 score on the subranking of entrepreneurship,” remarks Wharton School. “It also scored a very high 92.1 on agility, which is defined as a country’s ability to adapt to obstacles and crises.”

A cobblestone street in Germany — Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber in Germany (Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash)

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