Thailand suffers sharp fall in rankings of best countries for retirement

 

 

Thailand has fallen in the global rankings of the best countries for expat retirees.

 

According to International Living’s Annual Global Retirement Index 2021, Thailand had an average score of 68.3 placing it 18th out of 25 countries surveyed, a drop of nine places from its ranking just two years ago.

 

International Living says the Retirement Index, which is now in its 30th year, is “the most comprehensive and in-depth survey of its kind”.

 

“Our index is informed by hundreds of opinions and real-life experiences—information—compiled by our trusted sources in the best retirement destinations across the globe”.

 

The Index is compiled by giving the 25 countries surveyed  a score in 10 different categories, including Housing, Visas & Residence, Fitting in/Entertainment, Healthcare, Opportunity and Cost of Living, as well as other factors.

 

What is perhaps most noticeable in this year’s Index is not only Thailand’s fall in ranking, but that countries such as Portugal, France, Malta, Spain and Ireland were all considered to be better places to retire to than Thailand. 

 

And while Thailand still ranked highly in the Cost of Living category, scoring 86 overall, that was behind many of its regional neighbours such as Vietnam (99), Cambodia (93) and Malaysia (91).

 

 

In other categories, Thailand scored highly in Healthcare (80) and Fitting in/Entertainment (81).

 

But one of its lowest scores was in the Visas/Residence category where it scored just 57. The Index cited difficulties for retiree expats in Thailand obtaining permanent residency and a lack of  special residence options for retirees.

 

It also scored poorly in the Opportunity category (56) which examined how easy it is for expat retirees to set up a business in a country or whether there are options for retirees to supplement their income with freelance or online work - which in Thailand there is not.

 

Overall, Costa Rica (1st), Panama (2nd) and Mexico (3rd) made up the top three. 

 

Costa Rica scored highly across almost all categories, but did particularly well in the Healthcare category where it scored 97 out of 100.

 

Of Costa Rica, the Index said: 

 

“Earning the nickname “Switzerland of Central America” this peace-loving democracy shines in a region often plagued by political and civil unrest. Costa Rica abolished their army in 1948 and pledged that budget to education and healthcare. Resulting in a well-educated population and medical access for all citizens and legal residents.

 

“This republic is internationally known for its safety, neutrality, and commitment to the environment—with roughly a quarter of its land protected as national parks and wildlife refuges. The current democratic government, under Carlos Alvarado Quesada, is considered progressive and LGBTQ equal rights are mandated—officially legalizing same-sex marriage in May 2020.  A rare policy to find in Latin America.

 

“Once you have acquired your residency, you pay approximately 7% to 11% of your reported monthly income into the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social healthcare system (Caja for short) and the national medical program is available to you without pre-existing exclusions or age disallowance. Residents have the option to blend public healthcare with private medical care either through out-of-pocket self-insuring or with the purchase of insurance policies. You can purchase these through familiar names like Blue Cross/Blue Shield, CIGNA, Aetna, or a Costa Rican private policy. All at a fraction of the cost compared to the U.S”.

 

The Index said a retiree expat couple could live comfortably in Costa Rica for around $2,000 a month.

 

The news comes as a study published on Thaivisa this week revealed someone wanting to retire to Thailand would need savings of approximately USD$390,000 in order to enjoy the same quality of life as they would in their home country.

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2021-03-06

 

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Thailand is a great country, but some of her policies for expats are bureaucratic obstacle courses.

 

 

Isn't a fall in the ranking Thai government policy? 

Just now, rooster59 said:

The Index said a retiree expat couple could live comfortably in Costa Rica for around $2,000 a month.

 

I have lived in Thailand very comfortably for close to 30 years .... on about $1000.  dollars a month. ( i do not pay rent,  which would add to that if i did)

(roughly 30K baht now,  40 k baht for many years back in the past) .  For the first few years it was only 25 baht/dollar  but then again noodles were 10 baht a bowl and my rent was 2000 baht for a small house.

I find the lifestyle here suits me better than Western cultures,   and though Spanish speaking places might be ok I don't think i'll change at this late stage in life.   Immigration is not a "pleasant" experience though in smaller provinces many offices can be friendly.  Still,  keeping 800k in the bank and paying only 1900 baht ( a bargain) yearly does eliminate the hassles other types of visas present.  

All in all ,  Thailand was a great place for "fun"  in younger times......... and still easy enough to live a comfortable and stress free retirement if one has their  sheet together .  

I should admit that the pollution is ridiculous now and so i will be making another move to where

I will not be subjected to it for 3 months/year.    And those cameras at every intersection are also going to be in my rear mirror !

18 minutes ago, Fromas said:

Thailand is a great country, but some of her policies for expats are bureaucratic obstacle courses.

 

 

why do you think it's great?

No need to wonder why Thailand has fallen in the rankings, just look at the clowns supposedly running the place, like Anutin, his comments about dirty farangs are sure to help.

Last few years there has been a surge in anti farang comments/ actions, anybody now thinking of somewhere to retire will not even consider here.

8 minutes ago, rumak said:

 

I have lived in Thailand very comfortably for close to 30 years .... on about $1000.  dollars a month. ( i do not pay rent,  which would add to that if i did)

(roughly 30K baht now,  40 k baht for many years back in the past) .  For the first few years it was only 25 baht/dollar  but then again noodles were 10 baht a bowl and my rent was 2000 baht for a small house.

I find the lifestyle here suits me better than Western cultures,   and though Spanish speaking places might be ok I don't think i'll change at this late stage in life.   Immigration is not a "pleasant" experience though in smaller provinces many offices can be friendly.  Still,  keeping 800k in the bank and paying only 1900 baht ( a bargain) yearly does eliminate the hassles other types of visas present.  

All in all ,  Thailand was a great place for "fun"  in younger times......... and still easy enough to live a comfortable and stress free retirement if one has their  sheet together .  

I should admit that the pollution is ridiculous now and so i will be making another move to where

I will not be subjected to it for 3 months/year.    And those cameras at every intersection are also going to be in my rear mirror !

 

Lots of air pollution all year round here with CCTV cameras everywhere. Best not come to Phuket.

25 minutes ago, rumak said:

 

I have lived in Thailand very comfortably for close to 30 years .... on about $1000.  dollars a month. ( i do not pay rent,  which would add to that if i did)

 

$1k - please say how !

Just now, canopus1969 said:

$1k - please say how !

You ask how he spends so much.... Well it could be, girls, girls, and more girls, plus buying loads of Viagra.????????????????????

Useless ranking by useless rag. Cambodia scores almost as high as France in health, and Portugal scores 30 points higher for climate than Italy, although they are quite close and at the same latitude. And where is the crime score?

 

How many Aussies retired in Mexico? Probably less than five.

Well I think we can all agree, Thailand has not lifted a finger to do anything favorable for expats in decades....No wonder Thailand is falling in the rankings.... 

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

 

Of Costa Rica, the Index said: 

 

“Earning the nickname “Switzerland of Central America” this peace-loving democracy shines in a region often plagued by political and civil unrest. Costa Rica abolished their army in 1948 and pledged that budget to education and healthcare. Resulting in a well-educated population and medical access for all citizens and legal residents

 

Switzerland of Central America eh ..

so does that make Thailand Swindleland of S E Asia .. 

Take note no army let alone one top heavy with card board cut out generals and no subs to be sp*nking the public purse on .. 

 

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

But one of its lowest scores was in the Visas/Residence category where it scored just 57

many of us would score it much lower than that

Nothing has been done to facilitate  expats better in recent years actually long term staying foreigners  are probably wrongly  considered as a some sort of a financial burden.????

unfortunately Thailand thinks everyone needs thailand but the constant visa regulations and everthing revolves around money is a bad atatude for people who want to stay here and with the baht being resilient  its not the place it once was 

1 hour ago, Fromas said:

Thailand is a great country, but some of her policies for expats are bureaucratic obstacle courses.

 

 

Never had any problems in the last 35 years I've lived here. Retirement Visa bt1900 and taking about 20 to 25 minutes yearly visit. Same financial requirements as 20 years ago.Online reporting. No taxation et cetera

Thailand is not the place it once was.

 

anyone who thinks otherwise needs to ditch the rose glasses for a pair of reality lenses. 

Finally, everyone is waking up to Thailand is not a great place for a foreigner to retire.

 

The weather is nice, the ladies can be friendly,, and food is delicious. But immigration policies, double pricing foreigner versus Thai, lack of freedom of expression, arbitrary arrests, intimidation, lèse-majesté charges, harassment of activists, and many many other issues.

43 minutes ago, gearbox said:

How many Aussies retired in Mexico? Probably less than five

Maybe that is why Mexico is ranked so high ????

best news of the year so far..

roads are safe for the family

air is clean

products never break

houses built well

water drinkable

farangs nice

girls really love you

easy to settle down

embraced by the locals

money isn't everything

steak is really good

no double pricing

girls are treated well

no drugs

nobody drinks too much

dogs on leashes

 

etc...

The continued and general rising in the practice of dual pricing around attractions, national parks and other venues is spreading on travel websites now. This is surely a contributing factor to those that want to retire on fixed incomes with the thought that Thai people simply look at foreigners as cash cows with different ways to milk with no end in sight now.

5 minutes ago, Ventenio said:

roads are safe for the family

air is clean

products never break

houses built well

water drinkable

farangs nice

girls really love you

easy to settle down

embraced by the locals

money isn't everything

steak is really good

no double pricing

girls are treated well

no drugs

nobody drinks too much

dogs on leashes

 

etc...

and wine at very reasonable prices.

Factoring criminality in the assessment would surely change the ranking of some countries, I.e. Mexico.

11 minutes ago, Ventenio said:

roads are safe for the family

air is clean

products never break

houses built well

water drinkable

farangs nice

girls really love you

easy to settle down

embraced by the locals

money isn't everything

steak is really good

no double pricing

girls are treated well

no drugs

nobody drinks too much

dogs on leashes

 

etc...

 

And those who moan about the above still do nothing about it and continue to live here ????

1 hour ago, dundas said:

Isn't a fall in the ranking Thai government policy? 

Well I am sure that they are not at all disappointed with this.  I think that we are definitely seen as an unwanted 'burden' on Thailand rather than any kind of advantage.  I have thought for a long time that there is a half hidden policy to phase we retired people out over the next few years.  As more of us here die off, they will make it increasingly difficult for up coming retirees to settle here.  Their loss in the end. 

44 minutes ago, gamini said:

Never had any problems in the last 35 years I've lived here. Retirement Visa bt1900 and taking about 20 to 25 minutes yearly visit. Same financial requirements as 20 years ago.Online reporting. No taxation et cetera

You are, no doubt benefiting from being 'grandfathered' as far the financial requirements are concerned. That must make life a breeze as far as renewals go.

3 minutes ago, Moonlover said:

You are, no doubt benefiting from being 'grandfathered' as far the financial requirements are concerned. That must make life a breeze as far as renewals go.

Renewals ARE a breeze. 800k in the bank or 65k a month. Done.

25 minutes ago, doctormann said:

and wine at very reasonable prices.

The whine on TVF is free..... and persistent.

 

13 minutes ago, KannikaP said:

Renewals ARE a breeze. 800k in the bank or 65k a month. Done.

With the current regulations, there is absolutely no way would I stick 800k in a bank account and have immigration dictate to me what I can and (mainly) cannot do with my own money.

 

And I'm afraid Cameron's calamitous referendum took care of the other option. But I ain't complaining, the 40k a month option isn't as difficult or onerous as some make it out to be, despite the lack of the embassy income letters.

 

However, why a pensioner has to prove, year after year,  that he's still a pensioner seems, to me, just a little bit silly, to say the least.