The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reports that the ‘2022 Annual Global Retirement Index’ released this month by International Living has named Thailand as the best Asian country for foreigners to retire, and the 11th best country to retire worldwide.
The Global Retirement Index is recognised as a comprehensive and in-depth survey of the best retirement destinations around the globe, and is compiled by International Living’s editors, correspondents, and contributors across the featured destinations.
Beyond simply offering data, it provides reliable and informed on-the-ground information through opinions, perspective, and guidance from expats living in each country.
“The retirement sector is an important market producing high-quality arrivals for Thailand, and it is wonderful for a global listing like that compiled by International Living to position Thailand so highly among the various destinations around the world that actively court retirees.”
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the TAT,
The ‘2022 Annual Global Retirement Index’ ranks 25 countries according to the 10 categories of Housing, Benefits and Discounts, Visas and Residence, Fitting In/Entertain, Development, Climate, Healthcare, Governance, Opportunity, and Cost of Living.
Thailand scored an impressive average of 72.9 across the 10 categories, securing its position at number 11 among the 25 countries ranked. It scored top among the six Asian destinations featured in the rankings, the others being (in order) Cambodia, Malaysia, Bali, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
| Country | Visa/Residence | Climate | Healthcare | Cost Of Living | Global Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panama | 100 | 80 | 88 | 82 | 1 |
| Costa Rica | 91 | 80 | 97 | 88 | 2 |
| Mexico | 88 | 86 | 90 | 91 | 3 |
| Portugal | 64 | 88 | 96 | 84 | 4 |
| Ecuador | 90 | 87 | 81 | 92 | 5 |
| Colombia | 88 | 87 | 93 | 92 | 6 |
| France | 68 | 82 | 84 | 78 | 7 |
| Malta | 86 | 63 | 72 | 75 | 8 |
| Spain | 60 | 72 | 96 | 81 | 9 |
| Uruguay | 76 | 58 | 76 | 79 | 10 |
| Thailand | 82 | 58 | 80 | 90 | 11 |
Particularly high scores were given to Thailand in the Visas and Residence (82), Fitting In/Entertain (81), Development (81), Healthcare (80), and Cost of Living (90) categories.
About the author
Bangkok Correspondent for Siam News Network. Editor at Thailand Business News
