Best Countries to Retire To in 2025
Afghanistan offers retirees a low cost of living (index 0.0) and affordable housing, making it a popular destination for those on a fixed income.
Updated March 2026
Key takeaways
- Afghanistan tops the ranking for best for retirees at 0.0.
- 20 countries scored — top 3 are Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran.
- Methodology: deterministic, sourced from NoodlePants' tracked dataset, refreshed March 2026.
Top 10 at a glance
| # | Country | Cost of Living Index | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Afghanistan | 0.0 | View → |
| 2 | Cuba | 0.0 | View → |
| 3 | Iran | 0.0 | View → |
| 4 | North Korea | 0.0 | View → |
| 5 | South Sudan | 0.0 | View → |
| 6 | Syria | 0.0 | View → |
| 7 | Yemen | 0.0 | View → |
| 8 | Egypt | 15.0 | View → |
| 9 | Nigeria | 18.0 | View → |
| 10 | Pakistan | 23.0 | View → |
| 11 | India | 24.0 | View → |
| 12 | Belarus | 25.0 | View → |
| 13 | Bhutan | 25.0 | View → |
| 14 | Tanzania | 25.0 | View → |
| 15 | Nepal | 26.0 | View → |
| 16 | Rwanda | 27.0 | View → |
| 17 | Sri Lanka | 27.0 | View → |
| 18 | Ukraine | 27.0 | View → |
| 19 | Uzbekistan | 27.0 | View → |
| 20 | Laos | 28.0 | View → |
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What affects best for retirees?
Retirement-friendly countries usually offer some combination of an affordable cost of living, accessible private healthcare, and a specific retirement visa.
Beyond the headline numbers, climate, the size of the expat community, and the ease of importing pensions tax-efficiently make a major difference.
Healthcare quality varies enormously even within the same region — get private insurance quotes before committing to a move.
Frequently asked
Which country has the best for retirees?
Afghanistan currently leads with 0.0.
Can foreigners buy property in Afghanistan?
Foreign buyers face restrictions in Afghanistan — check local rules before committing.
How do I compare countries internationally?
Use the interactive world map or take the matchmaking quiz.