Four African countries have ranked among the world’s best places to live in 2026, outperforming the United States, United Kingdom and Canada in a new global assessment of destinations considered attractive for international relocation.
- Four African countries—Seychelles, Mauritius, Cape Verde, and Botswana—ranked among the top global destinations for international relocation in the 2026 Nomad Lifestyle Index.
- Seychelles was Africa’s highest entry, ranked 12th worldwide, followed by Mauritius at 17th, Cape Verde at 36th, and Botswana at 44th.
- The index highlights how African destinations are competitive due to favorable tax and lifestyle conditions, though these rankings are based on relocation appeal, not general living standards.
- The African countries scored particularly well in taxation and safety, making them appealing for international residents and investors.
Seychelles, Mauritius, Cape Verde and Botswana have emerged among the world’s best places to live in 2026, according to the Nomad Lifestyle Index, which compared 63 destinations based on living conditions, taxes, safety, climate and the ease of moving abroad.
Seychelles led the African countries, ranking 12th globally with 64.46 points, while Mauritius followed in 17th place with 62.01 points. Cape Verde secured 36th position with 52.16 points, and Botswana came 44th with 49.99 points.
All four countries finished ahead of the United Kingdom, which ranked 47th with 49.20 points, Canada in 48th place with 48.40 points, and the United States, which came 54th with 46.33 points.
The results show that people looking to build a life abroad may find appealing options beyond the traditional destinations of the US, UK and Canada, particularly in smaller African countries offering attractive climates, favourable taxes and a different pace of life.
How the countries were ranked
The ranking was published by Nomad Capitalist, a firm that helps entrepreneurs, investors and other individuals explore opportunities to live and establish businesses abroad.
Rather than judging countries by the size of their economies, the index considered five areas that can shape everyday life: the natural environment, taxes, the ease of obtaining residency, personal safety and freedom, and the quality of services and infrastructure.
Each area contributed equally to the final score, giving smaller countries an opportunity to compete with wealthier nations that may offer higher incomes but have less favourable tax or residency conditions.
Seychelles and Mauritius lead Africa
Seychelles, an island nation off Africa’s eastern coast in the Indian Ocean, stood out for its favourable tax environment, earning 88 points out of 100.
It also scored 70.9 points for safety and freedom and 68.3 for nature and climate, reflecting some of the qualities that have made the country attractive to visitors and people seeking a coastal lifestyle.
However, living there may not be as straightforward as enjoying its beaches, with Seychelles scoring 44.2 points for residence and access, indicating potential difficulties for foreigners hoping to settle.
Mauritius, another Indian Ocean nation located off Africa’s southeastern coast, also performed strongly, earning 76 points for taxation, 72 for safety and freedom, and 69.1 for residence and access.
Known for its Flic en Flac beach and established financial services sector, Mauritius has attracted tourists, investors and entrepreneurs, with its performance placing it alongside Seychelles among the world’s top 20 destinations.
Further down the ranking, Cape Verde, an island nation off West Africa’s Atlantic coast, scored 60.9 points for quality of life and infrastructure and 57.9 for safety and freedom.
Its appeal extends beyond the figures, with destinations such as Sal Island drawing visitors to its sandy beaches and coastal communities.
Botswana, the only mainland African country among the four, earned 77 points for taxation and 65.1 for nature and climate.
The Southern African nation is known for its wildlife and the Okavango Delta, although lower scores for infrastructure and access to residency contributed to its 44th-place finish.
Why Western economies ranked lower
The positions of the US, UK and Canada show how the cost and practicalities of living abroad can influence a country’s appeal, even when it offers strong economic opportunities and well-developed public services.
Taxes were one of the biggest differences. The US scored 23 points out of 100 in this category, compared with Canada’s 24 and the UK’s 35, well below Seychelles at 88 and Botswana at 77.
However, the three Western economies continued to perform strongly in areas such as infrastructure, safety and freedom, demonstrating that their lower overall positions do not necessarily mean they offer poorer living conditions.
Globally, Monaco topped the ranking with 73.89 points, followed by Andorra with 73.68 and the United Arab Emirates with 73.15. Malta and Portugal completed the top five.
The findings highlight the appeal of some African countries to people considering a move abroad, although the index focuses mainly on the priorities of internationally mobile individuals rather than the everyday experiences of ordinary residents.
