Best Countries to Raise a Family
If you and your family are looking to relocate overseas for a fresh start, you have numerous options from which to pick. Countries like Canada, the UK, and Spain are common options, although the choice which is right for you will depend on your specific criteria and preferences.
However, identifying which country is the right fit, and navigating the numerous immigration hurdles, can be difficult. Contact Total Law today online or on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 to receive bespoke advice and to get your relocation journey started as soon as possible.
Overview
For families looking to relocate overseas, there are numerous variables to consider. Factors like cost of living, availability of paid parental leave, quality of education and healthcare, and recreational opportunities are all likely to be top considerations.
In general, it is possible to achieve a high quality of life for your family in a variety of global contexts, but some countries will be better fits for your family than others. This will largely depend on your particular preferences, stage of family life, and priorities.
This article will focus on Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Germany, France, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand as top countries in which to relocate and raise a family. While there are numerous other good choices not covered in this article, the countries listed all offer a high quality of life for relocating families, across different metrics.
Page Contents
Factors That Make The Country Ideal to Move with Family
Overview
There are a number of factors to consider when deciding on the next residential location for you and your family. Some of the top factors are as follows:
- Healthcare: What quality of healthcare is available in your country of choice? This includes metrics like range of facilities, cost, and accessibility
- Education: What quality of education does your country of choice offer? This could include university standing, accessibility of local schools, and level of training received by educational professionals, for example
- Quality of life: What quality of life does the country offer? How are happiness levels amongst residents, for example?
- Cost of living: How affordable is your country of choice? How do everyday costs like rent and groceries compare to other relocation options?
- Recreational opportunities: Is there a wide range of recreational activities available? If your family enjoys outdoor activities, for example, are these kinds of opportunities available? Will your child have after-school activities available?
- Areas of natural beauty: Does your chosen country boast many areas of natural beauty? If so, how close are they to the area in which you’ll be living?
- Strong travel connections: Does your chosen country offer strong travel connections to the kinds of destinations which you are likely to visit? If you still have family in your country of origin, for instance, will you be able to visit them affordably and time-efficiently?
- Safety: What are the safety levels in your country of choice? Are there high levels of theft or incarceration, for example? What are the safety levels in your chosen residential area in particular? These may vary significantly from town to town even within the same country
This article will now look at each of these factors in more detail, using index data where appropriate.
Healthcare
Healthcare is a major consideration for families looking to relocate. Especially if you or any of your family members have pre-existing health conditions, this will be an especially important factor.
According to the World Population Review, the following 10 countries rank best in the world for healthcare:
- Taiwan
- South Korea
- Australia
- Canada
- Sweden
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- Germany
- Norway
- Israel
This index is created using data from a range of sources, including Numbeo, meaning that it offers a more robust look at healthcare quality worldwide.
Of the countries explored in this article, Australia, Canada, Sweden, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, and Norway all score particularly highly.
A related consideration is whether or not your country of choice offers parental leave. Many of the countries explored in this article offer both paid maternity leave and paid paternity leave, with the Scandinavian countries scoring especially highly according to this metric. As such, they are amongst the best countries to raise a family if you are planning on having more children after arrival.
Education
Education is another important factor for families moving abroad. Whether your children are high school or university age, education quality is likely to be a top consideration.
According to US News, the following 10 countries rank most highly for education:
- US
- UK
- Germany
- Canada
- France
- Switzerland
- Japan
- Australia
- Sweden
- Denmark
The index is based on survey data collected from 17000 respondents asked about their perception of education quality in different countries. Perception of education quality is a helpful metric when considering where to move with your family.
Of the countries discussed in this article, the UK, Germany, Canada, France, Australia, Sweden, and Denmark take the top spots.
Quality of life
Quality of life is another major consideration for families looking to move abroad. How happy you are likely to be in your new destination is an important factor and should weigh into your final decision.
According to the World Population Review, the following 10 countries take the top spots for standard of living:
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
- Denmark
- Oman
- Switzerland
- Finland
- Iceland
- Austria
- Norway
- Sweden
This index is created using data from a range of sources, such as Numbeo and US News, meaning it offers a more thorough insight into quality of life according to different measurement metrics.
Of the countries discussed throughout this article, the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden score most highly.
Cost of living
Cost of living is another important relocation factor. Especially if one of your reasons for relocating is finding a more affordable living environment, cost of living is likely to be a primary concern.
According to Numbeo, the following 10 countries have the highest cost of living:
- Cayman Islands
- Switzerland
- Iceland
- Bahamas
- Singapore
- Norway
- Denmark
- Luxembourg
- Hong Kong
- Guernsey
The Numbeo Index is created by calculating the average of the different living costs which are self-reported by residents of the different counties
Of the countries discussed in this article, Norway and Denmark score as the most expensive, an important consideration if you are looking for a more budget-friendly option. However, it is worth noting that while Scandinavian countries are often more expensive in general, national salaries often reflect that fact and the state welfare safety net is also generally better than in countries like the US, though your eligibility may depend on your specific immigration status.
Recreational opportunities
Recreational opportunities are often a major consideration for families looking to relocate. Especially if you will be moving with young children, recreational opportunities are often especially important.
Countries like Australia and New Zealand offer a strong culture of outdoor activities, making them good choices for families with an active lifestyle. Countries like the UK and Spain offer a high level of cultural richness, with numerous museums and theatres from which to choose. The Scandinavian countries, meanwhile, offer many areas of outstanding natural beauty, making them strong options for families who like to camp or hike, for example.
In general, all of the countries explored throughout this article offer their own recreational opportunities, and the country which is right for your family will depend heavily on preferred lifestyle.
Areas of natural beauty
Areas of natural beauty is another popular consideration when looking to move abroad.
Whether the fjords of Norway, the highlands of Scotland in the UK, or the glaciers of New Zealand, all of the countries explored in this article offer their own areas of natural beauty. The country which is right for you will depend on your preferred climate, environment, and global location.
Strong travel connections
Your chosen relocation destination will likely be heavily influenced by your preferred global region.
Countries like Spain and Germany offer strong travel connections to the rest of the EU, whereas New Zealand and Australia offer convenient access to popular destinations like Bali but are expensive and time-consuming to access from many other areas of the globe.
As such, you should consider location carefully before making the final decision on your country of choice. If you wish to maintain close connections with your country of origin, for example, you should check cost and journey duration before committing fully. Additionally, you should check local travel options in your county of interest; are there nearby airports and public transport choices, for instance? If not, will buying a car be an option?
Overall, the country which is right for you will depend in part on your preferred global location and travel accessibility.
Safety
Finally, safety is likely to be a major consideration if you are considering moving abroad with your family.
According to the Global Peace Index, the following 10 countries take the top spots for safety in 2024:
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Austria
- New Zealand
- Singapore
- Switzerland
- Portugal
- Denmark
- Slovenia
- Malaysia
Of the countries explored in this article, Ireland, New Zealand, and Denmark take the top spots for safety. The Global Peace Index creates its index using a number of factors, including political instability, violent crime, violent demonstrations, and homicide rate. It therefore provides a thorough insight into safety and stability levels in the countries it ranks.
However, note that the index takes into account many factors and that even countries which rank relatively low, such as Sweden in 39th place, may still be broadly safe according to many metrics and still offer a significant number of family-friendly neighbourhoods.
Overall, it is important to do thorough research before making your final decision; safety levels may vary significantly between different regions even within the same country, and it is worth considering safety levels in your preferred region alongside in your chosen country overall.
Top 13 Countries to Raise a Family
This article will focus on Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Germany, France, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand. Each of these countries offers a high quality of life, strong education and healthcare services, numerous areas of natural beauty, and appealing travel connections.
In the following sections, each of these countries will be explored in more detail. While the list is far from exhaustive, each of these countries offers an appealing option for families looking to relocate.
Canada
Canada is a popular choice amongst many families looking to relocate. Offering a convenient North American location, areas of outstanding natural beauty, and a friendly and welcoming culture, it is an excellent place in which to start a family.
Popular spots for relocation include Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Quebec City. Popular areas to visit include Niagara Falls and the Bay of Fundy.
A particular strength for Canada is its healthcare, with the World Population Review ranking it 4th for healthcare globally.
Overall, Canada is a good choice for people looking for a North American location, high-quality healthcare, and a cooler climate.
United Kingdom
The UK is another popular spot for families looking to relocate. Offering a universal healthcare system which provides free healthcare at the point of use to permanent residents and citizens, paid maternal leave, a world-renowned education system, and excellent travel connections, it is considered a strong choice as an area for raising children.
Popular spots include major cities like culturally-rich London and architecturally-stunning Edinburgh, and thriving Northern cities like Manchester and Liverpool. The UK also offers numerous areas of natural beauty, such as the world-famous Scottish Highlands and the picturesque beaches of Cornwall.
A particular strength for the UK is education, with US News ranking it 2nd for education quality.
Ireland
Ireland is a popular spot for family relocation. With many families from around the globe having Irish ancestry, it is often a popular choice amongst those wanting to embrace their ancestral connection to Ireland. Overall, it is a popular destination for raising kids and has a culture which values family life.
Ireland offers numerous appealing areas, such as Dublin for its cultural richness, Connemara for its breathtaking natural beauty, and Galway for its lively cultural and music scene.
Particular strengths for Ireland are healthcare and safety levels, with the World Population Review ranking it 6th for healthcare and the Global Peace Index ranking it 2nd for safety.
Spain
Spain is another popular spot for family relocation. Conveniently located within the European Union, it offers exceptional food, affordable childcare costs, work life balance, a friendly atmosphere, strong sense of community, convenient travel connections, and world-famous beaches and towns.
While it is among the world’s wealthiest countries, it is still able to offer a relatively affordable way of life in many regions.
Areas of special interest in Spain are Madrid for its cultural and historical significance, Barcelona for its beautiful architecture, and Costa del Sol for its famous beaches.
Spain is an especially good choice for those looking for a stable living environment, good schools and healthcare, and an affordable cost of living.
Germany
Germany is an increasingly popular relocation spot for many families. Offering a stable political environment, affordable childcare costs, generous parental leave, a thriving national economy, and numerous areas of cultural significance, it is an excellent environment in which to raise a family.
Popular spots include Berlin for its cultural and historical significance, Munich for its rich culture, and Cologne for its stunning Gothic architecture.
Particular strengths for Germany are healthcare and education, with the World Population Review ranking it 8th for healthcare and US News ranking it 3rd for education.
Germany is a top choice for those looking for a stable family environment, strong schools, and easy travel connections.
France
France is another popular choice for families looking to relocate. It offers numerous benefits, such as world-famous cuisine, affordable childcare costs, beautiful architecture, excellent schools, and a rich culture.
Popular areas include Paris for its stunning architecture and cultural richness, Marseilles for its cultural diversity, and Bordeaux for its famous wine and thriving culture.
A particular strength for France is education, with US News ranking it 5th globally.
Overall, France is a good choice for those looking for strong education, cultural richness, a high quality of life, and convenient travel connections.
Denmark
Denmark offers a popular relocation alternative for those looking for a Scandinavian change of pace. It offers high safety levels, generous parental leave, work life balance, beautiful architecture, a strong economy, and numerous areas of natural beauty.
Popular areas include Copenhagen for its high safety levels and beautiful architecture and Aarhus for its modern charm.
Denmark is particularly strong in standard of living and safety, scoring 3rd place for standard of living according to the World Population Review index and ranking 8th for safety in 2024 according to the Global Peace Index. However, Denmark takes 7th place for counties with the highest cost of living, according to Numbeo.
Overall, Denmark offers a number of benefits and is a good choice for those looking for a high quality of life and strong levels of safety. However, it is also amongst the more expensive countries on this list, making it a weaker fit for those looking to relocate on a budget.
Finland
Finland is another popular option for families looking for a change of pace. It offers high safety levels, paid parental leave, numerous culturally-rich cities and towns, areas of outstanding natural beauty, and easy travel access to Scandinavia.
Popular relocation areas include Helsinki for its cultural charm and Turku for its picturesque streets.
Finland scores especially well for quality of life, coming in at 6th place for standard of living according to the World Population Review.
Overall, Finland is a good choice for those looking for a cooler climate, high quality of live, areas of natural beauty, and high safety levels.
Sweden
Sweden is a popular Scandinavian relocation destination. It offers high safety levels, paid parental leave, a rich culture, strong economy, and numerous areas of natural beauty.
Popular relocation spots include Stockholm for its cultural richness and historical significance, Gothenburg for its vibrant cultural scene, and Kiruna for its breathtaking natural beauty.
Sweden scores especially well in healthcare, education, and quality of life: according to World Population Review, it comes in 5th for healthcare and 10th for standard of living and, according to US News, it scores 9th for education.
Overall, Sweden is an especially good fit for those prioritising healthcare, education, quality of life, and natural beauty.
Norway
Norway is another popular Scandinavian relocation destination. It boasts a strong economy, paid maternity leave, work life balance, high safety levels, outstanding natural beauty, and easy travel access to the rest of Scandinavia.
Popular locations include Oslo for its thriving cultural scene, Trondheim for its beautiful architecture, and Tromsø for its proximity to the Northern Lights.
Norway scores especially highly for healthcare and quality of life: according to the World Population Review, it scores 9th for healthcare and 9th for standard of living.
However, Norway takes 6th place for the country with the highest cost of living, according to Numbeo.
Overall, Norway is a good fit for those looking for economic stability, a high quality of life, and excellent healthcare. However, it is also one of the more expensive countries discussed in this article, an important factor to consider when making your final decision.
Netherlands
The Netherlands also ranks highly amongst relocation destinations. It offers beautiful architecture, a rich culture and vibrant history, and a safe environment in which to live.
Popular spots include Amsterdam for its vibrant culture and colourful architecture, Rotterdam for its modern charm, and Utrecht for its rich history and student culture.
The Netherlands scores highly for both healthcare and standard of living: according to the World Population Review, it scores 7th for healthcare and 2nd for standard of living.
Overall, the Netherlands is popular for families looking for cultural richness, high-quality healthcare, and a good standard of living.
Australia
Australia is a popular relocation destination for those looking for a change of pace. Offering a strong work life balance, a pronounced culture of outdoor activities, and a hot climate, it is a popular choice for many.
Popular spots include Sydney for its cultural and historical significance and Melbourne for its vibrant cultural scene.
Australia is especially strong in healthcare and education: it scores 3rd in the world for healthcare according to the World Population Review and 8th for Education according to US News.
Overall, Australia is likely to be a good fit for those looking for a safe family environment, strong schools, and high-quality healthcare. However, Australia is difficult to reach from a large percentage of the globe, making it a more expensive option for those with family abroad.
New Zealand
The last country on this list, New Zealand is a popular relocation destination which offers numerous areas of outstanding natural beauty, paid leave for new mums, a safe family environment, and easy travel connections to areas like Australia and Bali.
Popular locations include Auckland for its beautiful beaches and Wellington for its rich culture.
New Zealand scores especially highly for safety: according to the Global Peace Index, New Zealand ranked 4th in 2024.
Overall, New Zealand is a top choice for those prioritising safety and natural beauty but is remote from many global regions, which should be considered if you plan to maintain close travel connections with family abroad.
Conclusion
For families looking to relocate to a new country, there are numerous options from which to choose.
While common options include Spain, Ireland, the UK, and Germany, there are numerous countries across the globe which offer access to a high quality of life, excellent schools and healthcare, and a more affordable cost of living.
In general, it is important to consider a wide variety of factors when making your final decision, such as climate, global location, travel links, cost of living, quality of life, local culture, and way of life.
You should also check visa routes for your preferred countries, to check whether or not your family is in a position to satisfy the eligibility requirements.
Overall, numerous countries across the globe offer a safe and enjoyable environment in which to raise a family. For more information on which country is the best fit for you, contact Total Law today on +44 (0) 333 305 9375.
Tips for Families Moving Abroad
When moving abroad, there are a number of tips which you should keep in mind in order to ensure that your move runs as smoothly as possible.
Firstly, you should make sure to conduct thorough research into local laws and customs. This is to ensure that you are able to seamlessly integrate into your new home and do not face unexpected obstacles. You should ensure that your country of choice is a strong cultural fit before making your final decision and that you and your family are likely to adjust to the new culture.
Next, you should make sure that the cost of living in your chosen country fits your budget. If you are looking for a cheaper option, for example, you may wish to avoid the Scandinavian countries, whereas countries like Spain often offer more affordable options.
You should also consider whether local educational and health facilities suit your family’s needs. If your children are of school age, for instance, it will be important to ensure that there are local schools which match their level of education.
For more help on adapting to your new country, contact Total Law today. We offer a range of services designed to help you with the entire relocation process, from start to finish.
How Can Total Law Help?
Moving abroad with your family is an exciting step and comes with many new opportunities. From new schools, areas of natural beauty, and cultural experiences, relocating to a new country can provide you and your family with a new chapter and a change of pace. Whether you are drawn by the stunning beauty of countries like New Zealand and Norway or the cultural richness of countries like the UK and Spain, there is likely to be a choice which is right for you and your family.
However, navigating the immigration rules and adjusting to a new culture can both be difficult. At Total Law, our experts have many years of experience in helping families just like yours to navigate the entirety of the relocation process. Contact us today online or on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 to receive bespoke relocation assistance and to ensure that your journey to your new home runs as smoothly as possible.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A number of factors contribute to making the countries explored in this article excellent choices for relocation. Each country offers its own unique areas of natural beauty, high quality of life, strong healthcare and educational facilities, and rich culture.
While the country which is right for you is likely to depend on a number of factors, you have a number of choices from which to choose.
The countries explored in this article all have their own approaches to health and safety. In general, however, they all provide high levels of political stability, comparatively low levels of violent crime, and strong communities into which your family can integrate.
As noted earlier, of the countries explored in this article, Ireland, New Zealand, and Denmark take the top spots for safety, according to the Global Peace Index.
Overall, there are likely to be a high number of options which would offer your family a high quality of family life. The country which is right for you will depend on many factors, as explored throughout this article.
In general, however, it is important to make sure that factors like cost of living and cultural norms suit your own budget and lifestyle, in order to maximize your chances of successfully integrating into your new home.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Total Law before making any decisions based on the content provided.