Countries to live – Gaute Gulliksen

Global Safety & Immigration Assessment – 20 Countries

Rank	Country	Geopolitical Risk	Domestic Safety	Immigration Ease	Key Advantages	Key Challenges	Overall Score
1	🇨🇭 Switzerland	VERY LOW	EXCELLENT	DIFFICULT	Armed neutrality, world-class governance, financial stability	High cost of living, strict immigration requirements	A
2	🇳🇿 New Zealand	LOW	EXCELLENT	MODERATE	Geographic isolation, stable democracy, good quality of life	Distance from family/business, limited economic opportunities	A
3	🇸🇬 Singapore	LOW	EXCELLENT	MODERATE	Non-aligned, economic hub, rule of law, strategic location	High cost of living, authoritarian governance, small size	A
4	🇺🇾 Uruguay	VERY LOW	VERY GOOD	EASY	Regional neutrality, stable democracy, easy residency, progressive laws	Limited economic opportunities, small market	A-
5	🇵🇾 Paraguay	VERY LOW	GOOD	EASY	Maximum neutrality, landlocked buffer, very easy residency	Limited infrastructure, language barrier, fewer opportunities	B+
6	🇨🇷 Costa Rica	LOW	GOOD	EASY	No military, neutral tradition, biodiversity, pensioner programs	Economic challenges, some crime in urban areas	B+
7	🇦🇹 Austria	LOW	EXCELLENT	DIFFICULT	Constitutional neutrality, EU benefits, cultural richness	EU migration rules, high cost of living	B
8	🇲🇽 Mexico	LOW	MODERATE	EASY	Non-aligned, close to US/Canada, easy residency, cultural richness	Cartel violence (regional), institutional weakness in some areas	B
9	🇵🇹 Portugal	LOW	VERY GOOD	EASY	Golden visa program, EU access, peaceful society, good climate	NATO member, economic challenges, housing costs rising	B
10	🇵🇦 Panama	LOW	GOOD	EASY	Strategic location, US dollar, friendly nations visa, canal economy	Income inequality, some urban crime, US influence	B-
11	🇳🇴 Norway	HIGH	EXCELLENT	DIFFICULT	Excellent governance, oil wealth, social systems	NATO frontline, Russia border, expensive, strict immigration	C+
12	🇲🇾 Malaysia	LOW	GOOD	EASY	MM2H program, non-aligned, multicultural, affordable	Political instability, racial tensions, corruption issues	C

Analysis Framework

🌍 Geopolitical Risk Factors

Alliance entanglement: NATO/military commitments
Geographic exposure: Proximity to conflict zones
Great power competition: US-China-Russia dynamics
Regional conflicts: Border disputes, territorial claims
Nuclear targeting: Strategic importance in conflicts

🏠 Domestic Safety Assessment

Crime rates: Homicide, violent crime, organized crime
Rule of law: Judicial independence, corruption levels
Social stability: Political violence, civil unrest
Infrastructure: Healthcare, emergency services
Natural disasters: Climate-related risks

📋 Immigration Ease Criteria

Visa requirements: Tourist, temporary, permanent residence
Investment thresholds: Golden visa, investor programs
Language requirements: Fluency tests, integration
Processing time: Speed of application reviews
Path to citizenship: Naturalization requirements

🎯 Key Insights for Low-Risk Countries Only

Top Tier (A-grade): Switzerland, New Zealand, and Singapore offer the best overall packages for those seeking maximum safety. Uruguay stands out as the most accessible high-quality option.

Excellent Compromises (B-grade): Paraguay and Costa Rica provide maximum geopolitical safety with easy immigration, while Mexico offers familiar culture and proximity for North Americans. Portugal provides EU access with easier immigration.

Specialized Options: Austria offers European quality of life with constitutional neutrality, while Norway provides exceptional governance despite NATO risks. Malaysia offers an affordable Asian base.

Strategic Considerations: This list balances maximum safety with practical immigration options, though some trade-offs exist between alliance protection and independence.

This overview was created with the assistance of Claude.ai.
Updated August 2025