World’s Most and Least Welcoming Countries for Migrants

Moving is something that humans have done from the beginning of time. Whether individuals seek a change in their circumstances and way of life or, on the more unpleasant side of things, fleeing threats at home, population movements have always been a thing. Migration, for whatever reason, is still very much a thing today. Modern transportation and new migration policies worldwide have made it easier than ever to relocate.

In Several Parts of the World, Migrant Acceptance has Risen

Acceptance of migrants did not fall in every country; it increased by at least one point in several countries. Chile, which has taken in hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan migrants and refugees, is part of this small club. On the other hand, Chile did not absorb as many migrants as Venezuela’s regional neighbors. At first, the country tended to attract better-educated migrants with the financial means to travel.

The increasing acceptance of migrants in Moldova, which had the most significant increase, could be linked to the influx of Turkish, Azerbaijani, and Uzbekistani migrant laborers into the nation. Most of these individuals were employed by foreign firms that received EU subsidies for various development initiatives.

Based on public attitudes toward migrants in several EU countries, approval of the European Commission’s plan to alter the EU’s migration and refugee policies is far from certain. Several EU member states, including Hungary, Croatia, Latvia, and Slovakia, were among the least tolerant of migrants in 2019, and the same conditions were also on the list in 2016.

Top 5 Countries that are Ideal to Migrate

1. New Zealand 

New Zealand tops the standings this year for all the reasons. First, new Zealand is a breathtaking nation. The people are friendly, the weather is lovely, and the way of life is unrivaled, with an excellent pace for you and your children.

New Zealand offers citizens a well-balanced lifestyle in beautiful surroundings. It provides families a safe and accepting environment and excellent work opportunities and opportunities for exploration and travel. New Zealanders take pride in welcoming newcomers. 

The country draws the attraction of immigrants from all over the world because of its high quality of life. Residents are accustomed to mingling with people of various ethnic backgrounds and dialects because the country is highly cosmopolitan. Wealthy foreigners have primarily used the New Zealand Investor Visa to seek permanent residency in the country over the years.

New Zealand boasts beautiful beaches and lakes in the summer and some of the top ski fields in the Southern Hemisphere in the winter. Cities that are lively and cosmopolitan are also found there. Kiwis are known for their love and affection for the outdoors and adventure sports, so it’s a perfect venue to get off the beaten road. You’ll never be far from a great fishing spot, an extensive golf course, hiking trails, mountains, or a place for extreme activities.

2. Switzerland

Last year’s winner has dropped a place but remains a beautiful spot this year. The performance and rankings of countries are based on the high quality of life and long life practicality, according to the World Report.

Switzerland was voted the greatest country in the world for the second time in a row, with a second-place finish in citizenship and a third-place finish in economics. Switzerland has traditionally been a popular destination for immigrants. Many people consider coming to Switzerland because of its great quality of life and high matching salaries. After continuous five years of residence in Switzerland, citizens from EU/EFTA countries can seek a Swiss permanent residence permit. Before applying for a Swiss Permit C, citizens from non-EU/EFTA countries must have stayed in Switzerland for ten years with a Permit B.

3. Australia

Leading economists in Australia have backed mainly a return to the most significant immigration intake on record, recommending that Australia strive for at least 190,000 migrants each year as it opens its borders, up from the 160,000 per year objective established ahead of COVID. You can live, work, and study in Australia without restrictions if you have a permanent residency visa. You are still a citizen of the nation where you were born.

Many persons who obtain a permanent residence permit in Australia aim to petition for citizenship. While Australia remains one of the most hospitable countries regarding refugee resettlement, the controversy surrounding the treatment of boat arrivals has overshadowed much of this. Because of its high quality of life rating, Australia is the second-best country to live in. It has long been renowned as a country influenced by a rapid increase in population, with net overseas migration accounting for a bigger share of total population growth than new births every year.

Australia is a wonderful and peaceful country with unique natural beauty and a great climate. An excellent educational system has cemented its position as one of the top destinations for people wishing to live, work, study, or visit.

4. Canada

Canada is the second-largest country on the planet. Over the years, it has been a popular location for people wishing to relocate to another country. The government is a popular choice because of its natural scenic beauty, vast unpopulated areas, bustling towns, multicultural ambiance, and numerous career opportunities for a young and capable workforce.

Furthermore, Canada has a long history of embracing newcomers and assisting them in inclusion into society. The number of immigrants has risen since 2001. In 2017, the Canadian government stated that it would be willing to admit over one million migrants over the next three years. The number of migrants is predicted to increase by 340,000 by 2020. More than 90% of immigrants opt to live in Vancouver, Toronto, or Montreal. 

By filing a refugee claim with the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, those arriving at a Canadian point of entry or already in Canada can request refugee protection (IRB). The IRB is an impartial administrative tribunal that determines whether or not a claimant is eligible for refugee status. Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan anticipates welcoming around 430,000 new immigrants each year, the most significant number in the country’s history. Canada’s immigration policy objectives are to boost the economy, reunite families, and assist refugees.

5. United States of America

The USA remains one of the highest popular destinations for immigrants, whether for a profession, for a degree, a loved one, or simply the American Dream. It is the most popular immigration destination on the planet. Despite recent revisions in US immigration policies, the United States remained one of the world’s most welcoming countries for migrants in 2019.

America has a long history of welcoming individuals of many nationalities and backgrounds. Many affluent foreigners have used the EB-5 Investor Visa to obtain a green card in the United States. Because of its economic strength, the United States has been able to weather the storms of global depression and financial crises. The US dollar is no doubt the world’s most important reserve currency, signaling stability and respect. According to the survey, Americans have the highest average household income globally. 

Lastly, Many migrants and refugees were first welcomed in these countries. Still, public opinion began to shift against them when their economies and health, education, and social assistance programs began to falter. Scores also fell significantly in several other nations where migration remains divisive, including European countries like Belgium and Switzerland, where right-wing anti-immigration parties gained ground between 2016 and 2019. Notably, scores fell in India, where controversial rules that gave pathways to citizenship for migrants — but not Muslims — came into effect in late 2019. Now let’s move to the countries that don’t allow refugees or immigrants.

The top 5 Countries with the Lowest Immigrant Population

1. Chile

Despite Chile’s stunning mountains, low levels of corruption (in comparison to the rest of South America), and inexpensive cost of living, foreign-born residents account for only 4% of the population. It’s tough to pinpoint the specific reason, but one factor must be the high cost of schooling. A child’s education at one of Chile’s few foreign schools will eat up a large portion of any expat’s cash (assuming an average salary).

Another cause is the fast-paced nature of life. Of course, not having to deal with continual bustle has its advantages, but when it comes to getting important things done, Chile has a culture of’maana,’ which loosely translates as ‘it’ll happen when it occurs.’ Chileans frequently incorporate ‘Chilenismos’ (Chilean slang) into everyday discussions and speak at a far faster rate than non-Chileans.

2. Slovak Republic (Slovakia)

Slovakia is a country in Europe (Slovakia). It has a total number of immigrants of 3.6 percent of the total population.

Slovakia is an ideal launching place for adventure, located within touching distance of three of Europe’s most enigmatic cities. Being a member of the Schengen region, movement from and into Slovakia is unrestricted by the typical migration and border controls. It’s also a country with excellent educational opportunities for expats and a low cost of living. You probably can’t help but wonder why Slovakia has such a low foreign-born population.

Despite everything it has going for it, Slovakia is notorious for being unjust to foreigners who choose to call it home.

Many usually free services in other countries can cost expats in Slovakia an arm and a leg. Corruption is a terrible feature, with a persistent mentality at various levels of government that “we’ll vow to remove corruption… soon.” With no primary roadway connecting the two largest cities, roads, traffic, and general travel around the country are also a challenge. The pessimistic mindset of most Slovakians and the significant discrepancy in the quality of life between Western and Eastern Slovakia are perhaps the country’s most visible drawbacks. This gap is so substantial that even native Slovakians visiting the east are taken aback. So, if you must settle in Slovakia, we recommend staying in Bratislava and the surrounding area.

3. Turkey 

There’s a lot to like about Anatolia, especially if you enjoy theater. However, only 2.8 percent of the population was born outside the country. This low number of expats is because getting into the country has become much more complicated than just a few decades ago.

This has changed, and a toxic dedication to red tape has replaced it, making working in the country extremely difficult. As a result, most of the expat population in Turkey are retirees.

Turkey has become significantly more conservative culturally under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with open antagonism to parts of ‘western’ culture (there have been incidents of Turkish citizens being attacked for listening to western rock music, for example). It’s impossible to deny that relocating to Turkey will be a culture shock for many people. Hopefully, this fascinating country will be able to revert to a more hospitable era!

Poland

Only 2% of the entire population is immigrants. Poland had a reputation for high migration in recent decades, with Polish individuals migrating throughout Europe searching for a job. While this may still be the case, these rates have fallen in recent years, and net migration out of Poland has now become negative.

The causes for this transition are many, but one factor is a growing sense of Polish nationalism in the public awareness, encouraging more people to stay in the country. Brexit has prompted émigrés from the United Kingdom to return to Poland, hoping to benefit from the country’s booming economy.

Excessive bureaucracy enforced by the Polish government is one of the main reasons for Poland’s low number of expats. The number of hoops an expat would have to jump through to get basic things like housing and work licenses makes relocating to Poland a bit of a nightmare. In addition, in Poland, LGBT+ rights have lately suffered a setback, adding to an unwelcoming attitude that contrasts with the country’s more accepting past.

Mexico 

Only 1% of the total population was born outside of the country. With Mexico, we’ve reached the bottom of the list. Living in this country is enticing because of its legendary food, dynamic culture that blends old and new, and year-round sunshine. There are, however, obstacles to settling in Mexico, which contribute to the country’s low expat population. Unfortunately, one of the most pressing challenges is a crime, with violent crime and homicides at historically high levels.

Dealing with infrastructure across the country can sometimes be challenging. For example, it’s not uncommon for the water to run out for days at a period, forcing people to purchase bottled water. In addition, due to the lack of city-wide gas pipes in Mexico, gas shortages are prevalent.

Due to slow and unexpected traffic, morning commuters are frequently detained for long periods in major cities. It also applies to deliveries; expats in Mexico have become accustomed to nearly nothing coming on time.

The main advantage of living in Mexico is healthcare, which is surprisingly good and reasonably priced. If you want to learn more about healthcare in Mexico, we’ve put up a comprehensive guide that covers all you need to know.

Conclusion

There are numerous advantages to returning to your home country. The working-age population rises because of migration. They bring skills with them and contribute to human capital development. They significantly contribute to technological advancement. Their regional mobility aids local economies in responding to labor shortages, smoothing out bumps that could otherwise stifle growth.

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