Best Countries to Retire To in 2025
Egypt offers retirees a low cost of living (index 15.0) and affordable housing, making it a popular destination for those on a fixed income.
Updated March 2026
Key takeaways
- Egypt tops the ranking for best for retirees at 15.0.
- 20 countries scored — top 3 are Egypt, Nigeria, Pakistan.
- Methodology: deterministic, sourced from NoodlePants' tracked dataset, refreshed March 2026.
Top 10 at a glance
| # | Country | Cost of Living Index | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Egypt | 15.0 | View → |
| 2 | Nigeria | 18.0 | View → |
| 3 | Pakistan | 23.0 | View → |
| 4 | India | 24.0 | View → |
| 5 | Belarus | 25.0 | View → |
| 6 | Bhutan | 25.0 | View → |
| 7 | Tanzania | 25.0 | View → |
| 8 | Nepal | 26.0 | View → |
| 9 | Rwanda | 27.0 | View → |
| 10 | Sri Lanka | 27.0 | View → |
| 11 | Ukraine | 27.0 | View → |
| 12 | Uzbekistan | 27.0 | View → |
| 13 | Laos | 28.0 | View → |
| 14 | Madagascar | 28.0 | View → |
| 15 | Bangladesh | 29.0 | View → |
| 16 | Gambia | 29.0 | View → |
| 17 | Zambia | 29.0 | View → |
| 18 | Ethiopia | 30.0 | View → |
| 19 | Liberia | 30.0 | View → |
| 20 | Sudan | 30.0 | 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?
Egypt currently leads with 15.0.
Can foreigners buy property in Egypt?
Yes — foreigners can generally buy property in Egypt, though local taxes and registration apply.
How do I compare countries internationally?
Use the interactive world map or take the matchmaking quiz.