Canada Ranks 19th for Welcoming Expats

InterNations' Expat Insider 2026 survey of 31 countries places Canada behind the United States and Mexico.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Canada

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Canada ranked 19th out of 31 countries in the InterNations Expat Insider 2026 survey, which measured how welcome expats feel and how easily they adapt to local culture. The country placed 10 spots behind the United States, while Mexico ranked first across all three categories.

Why it matters

The ranking gives Canadians and prospective expats a benchmark for how newcomers experience daily life, friendship-building, and cultural integration in the country. It also highlights a gap between Canada's overall position and its standing in specific areas such as social connections.

The ranking is based on the InterNations Expat Insider 2026 survey covering 31 countries, with Canada placing 14th for local friendliness, 22nd for building social connections, and 17th for culture. The extraction does not state sample sizes or the full scoring methodology.

The players

InterNations

InterNations is an international network for expatriates that publishes the annual Expat Insider survey comparing how foreigners experience life in different countries.

The details

The survey asked expats about their experiences with local culture, friendliness, and social connections. Mexico ranked first across all three categories, ahead of Panama, Thailand, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates, while Norway ranked in the bottom four.

The InterNations Expat Insider 2026 survey was published in 2026.

Travel Outlook

The InterNations Expat Insider annual survey tracks how foreigners rate life in each country year to year, and the 2026 edition places Canada at 19th among 31 nations. Canada's standing sits well below the United States, which the survey ranks 10 places higher.

Prospective expats considering Canada may find the ranking useful when weighing how easily they can build friendships and adapt to local culture. Those planning a move can use the category-level results, such as the 22nd-place standing for social connections, to prepare for building a social network after arrival.

The takeaway

Expats weighing a move to Canada should look beyond the overall ranking and consider the category gaps, since friend-building scored lower than local friendliness. Planning for social integration early can help newcomers settle in more smoothly.