Have you ever thought about going to another country to live and work? It seems like 2021 would be a great year to move and start looking into all the great jobs you can get abroad. At first, it can seem scary, but we’re here to help. We’ve been helping expats around the world for almost 30 years. Read on to learn more about the best jobs for expats abroad so you can choose the right one for you. Are you ready to find the right job abroad?
Do you want to move your family to another country? Or have you already started Moving abroad We know that planning to move overseas gives you a lot to think about, but moving with your kids gives you even more to think about and plan. So, to make it easier for you, we’ve made a list of the best places in the world to raise a family and shared some top tips from expats who have already moved abroad with their families. What can you learn from the families who have already moved to new homes in other countries and are raising their kids there?
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The best countries to raise a family when you are relocating with kids
Moving abroad is a big decision for anyone, but if you have kids who will be moving with you, it can be even harder. There are a lot of benefits to living and working abroad at any age. However, it can be hard for kids to see the exciting parts of such an opportunity when they have to leave behind familiar places and friends. Language can also be a problem at first. If you are moving abroad with kids, you will need to do a lot of planning before you leave to make sure that everyone is happy with the move. So, where are the best places to raise a family in the world?
UNICEF ranked the best countries in the European Union and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) based on how family-friendly their national policies are.
# Sweden
# Norway
# Iceland
# Estonia
# Portugal
# Germany
# Denmark
# Slovenia
# Luxemburg
# France
The UNICEF Office of Research—Innocenti was the source. Are the countries with the most money good for families? The policies of the OECD and the EU
Other studies have come up with slightly different lists since this ranking, which look at safety, happiness, cost, health, education, and time, among other things, as well as the best places to raise a family.
What are the best countries to raise a family?
The coronavirus has shown how hard it is to take care of children and work at the same time. Even before the pandemic, it was hard to find free or cheap child care, so this is something you should think about if you’re moving with kids. So, the list below looks at the world as a whole and ranks countries based on how well they do in different areas, such as safety, cost of childcare, happiness, health, education, maternity leave, and paternity leave.
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Iceland
Iceland is known as one of the best places in the world to be a mom, and it’s also the best place in the world for working parents. This is because both parents have a lot of freedom and benefits when it comes to raising their children. Parents in Iceland get to spend more time with their babies. Nearly 90% of fathers take the required 3 months of paternity leave, and research shows that Icelandic dads stay involved in their kids’ lives, whether they are at work or at school. Mothers and babies are welcome everywhere, even in parliamentary sessions. This is because babies need to be close to their mothers at this important time in their development.
After their babies are born, Icelandic parents have a lot of activities and places for their kids to go that make it easier for them to get around. By simply letting their kids be a part of as many of their life experiences as possible, parents can help their kids bond with them through the special moments and memories they share.
Parents learn how to juggle their work and social lives while still being involved in their kids’ lives. Parents don’t feel like they have to choose between family and work, so they take turns raising their kids and have space and time to grow as people.
Denmark
The Scandinavian countries are on our list of the best places to move with kids because they have a great track record when it comes to child care, safety standards, and infrastructure. People who have a GDP per person of more than $52,000 are happy to pay higher taxes because they are getting the best place to raise their children. Denmark is one of the best places to raise a family because it is safe, cares about human rights, supports equal rights for men and women, and has a strong public education system.
Some of the reasons for this are that the government promotes gender equality by offering a daycare system that is tied to a person’s income and a very flexible policy for parental leave. There aren’t many hours to work, so it’s fine to leave at 3 or 4 to pick up your kids. There is a good way to keep young children healthy. When your child is a baby, a nurse comes to your house. After that, a doctor will check on you regularly. If your child has a cold, you can stay home with her instead of going to work. The first two days off are paid.
And there’s the daycare system, of course. It’s not free, but it’s not too expensive, and it’s nice to be able to leave your child with trained people in a safe place while you go to work.
Sweden
Human rights and the environment are both perfect in Sweden, a country with 10 million people. The country has one of the highest child security standards and the best health and education infrastructure in the world. If you have kids, moving there should be a great idea.
People say that Sweden is a great place to raise a family. The Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Forsakringskassan) makes it possible for parents to spend more time with their kids. When a child is three years old, they get 525 hours of free care a year. Paid parental leave is also part of the system. Each child gets 480 days of paid leave, which is insured at 80% of the parent’s income.
Both parents should take an active role in raising their children. This includes taking time off work to care for a sick child or to go on paid parental leave. Parents can switch days with each other or share them.
Finland
Many people agree that Finland is one of the safest places in the world. With all the dangers in the world today, like war, crime, and terrorism, being safe and sound is the most important thing for any family moving with kids. Above all else, parents worry most about their children’s safety in the world. With all the dangers in the world today, like war, crime, and terrorism, being safe and sound is the most important thing for any family moving with kids. Above all else, parents worry most about their children’s safety. Knowing you live in a country that is known for being safe makes this worry less important.
All mothers in Finland can apply to get a baby box, which is a box with many baby-care items that can also be used as a crib. New mothers can choose to get either a baby box or a crib. If the family doesn’t need this package, they can ask for a tax-free payment of 140 euros per newborn, which is paid for by the Finnish government. The government also pays mothers for four months while they are on maternity leave. This is true not only for mothers with regular jobs, but also for those who are self-employed, in school, or even unemployed. Even better, these benefits can be used by “rainbow families,” or families with people of the same gender.
The cost of public day care (varhaiskasvatus) is based on how much money the family makes. The most that a city can charge for early childhood education is US$340 (€288) for the first child and US$170 (€144) for the second. Each child must pay at least US$32 (€27).
Norway
Norway is thought to be one of the best places for kids to live in terms of the environment. With a population of more than 5 million, Norway is the westernmost country on the Scandinavian Peninsula. It is known for its very advanced health care and education systems. With a per capita income of more than $74,000, Norway is a great place for kids to grow up in the happiest environment. This is good to know if you are moving with kids.
The care and development of children are also top priorities, which is another reason why Norway is a great place to raise kids. Children of all ages can play outside, which helps their creativity, and every city in Norway has a wide range of things for families to do. In Norway, children start kindergarten when they are one year old. This is right after parental leave ends. This is called a “barnehage,” and most children go to one in their town or city. There are also different kinds of kindergartens based on how many hours a day you need care for your child. This gives you a few options, including ones where you can talk to other parents while your child plays.
In Norway, your family always comes first, and since employers know this, they are very understanding when your sick kids need you to take care of them. Also, all children under the age of 16 are entitled to free medical care, including dental care, so there’s no need to worry if you and your family are moving to Norway.
The Netherlands
When it comes to health and welfare, the Netherlands is like another North European country that is at the top of the list when it comes to raising children and moving with children. The country is known for its strong family values and freedom. It also has the highest rating for its environment and the safest standards for children. The country of windmills and ports has 17 million people and the best health and education systems in the world. People with a GDP per person of more than $56,000 spend a lot on child care.
There are many ideas about why the children in the Netherlands are the happiest in the world, but most people agree that it’s a mix of many things. In the Netherlands, a child’s thoughts and ideas are valued and taken into account. In fact, children are taught from a young age to say what they think. Schools and international daycare centres often work with a group of children called a “children’s council” that meets regularly to talk about and make decisions about important issues.
The Dutch government encourages cities to help children’s rights and interests by doing things like setting aside 3% of residential areas for playgrounds, sandboxes, and other things for kids. In the Netherlands, it is not uncommon for a neighbourhood to have more than one playground, soccer field, or fitness area.
Switzerland
Switzerland has the best care for mothers and babies in the world. Moving with kids can be a great idea. In Switzerland, for example, mothers are surrounded by helpful, knowledgeable people who have time to spare from the moment their babies are born. There’s no hurry to get new moms out of the hospital. It takes time to help the mother start breastfeeding if she wants to. Most of the time, it is wanted. Nearly two-thirds of babies were only breastfed for the first three to four months, which is much longer than in most other European countries.
Most Swiss parents don’t like to leave their kids with child care providers. This may have something to do with the fact that poor parents used to have their children taken away by the government. A lot of kids are cared for by their grandparents, and moms of young kids rarely work full time. More fathers are also cutting back on the hours they work.
Top tips from expats relocating with kids
Moving abroad with kids can be one of the best things you ever do, and more and more families are doing it because they think it’s something everyone should do at least once in their lives. But moving abroad with kids isn’t easy. In addition to money, emotions and expectations need to be taken into account before hopping on a plane to make sure the move goes well. What school will they go to? How will they get comfortable? Will they get along? How does a child react to moving? How can you make sure your kids get the most out of their time as an expat, whether you’re moving for good or just for a while?
We’ve put together some of the best tips for moving with kids to help you make sure the move is a good one for the whole family. No one knows how to move with kids better than those of us who have already done it.
Getting ready to move
Ask experienced expats, and they’ll all agree that it’s important to include the kids in the research and planning for moving abroad. Talk to your kids about where you’re going, why, and what the move will bring you. They might be happy about moving, but if they are worried, listen to what they have to say and talk with them about the problems.
If at all possible, go to the place you’re moving to before you move there. You can even let your older kids help you choose a home.
Try to find out what the weather is like where you want to move. If it’s sunny, the kids might be more interested in moving abroad.
We also suggest looking into the local and traditional holidays where you are moving. Usually, Christmas and New Year’s are spent with friends and family. If Christmas is the most important holiday in your family, imagine spending your first one in a new country where you don’t know anyone, you might not even be able to buy a Christmas tree, and all the gifts you sent by mail haven’t arrived yet.
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Research children’s healthcare
One of the most important things to think about when you move to a new country is the health of your children. When deciding where to go, it’s important to find out what’s there.
- Will your child be able to get health care from the government, and how good is that care?
- Will you live near doctors’ offices and hospitals that are easy to get to?
- How easy will it be for your child to get the medications or treatments he or she needs?
- Will your children be covered if the company you work for gives you health insurance?
Call the local hospitals or doctors and ask other expats for advice through online forums and Facebook groups.
When you get to your new country, keep in mind that you can avoid a lot of health problems by using common sense. Make sure your kids know the safety rules about water. For example, can they use tap water to brush their teeth? The same goes for food safety, especially at markets and street stalls.
But because the quality and availability of public health care vary so much from country to country, not all expats will move to a place with good local health care. You might even have to pay for private health care, so it’s important to get international health insurance before you go anywhere.
Expat children’s vaccinations
Find out what vaccinations your children need for the country you want to move to before you make the move. They might be different from the ones they usually get at home because the health risks in the country you’re moving to might be different.
You’ll also need to make sure your child’s vaccinations are up-to-date while you’re abroad. Be aware that each country has its own schedule for immunisations, so your child may get their shots at a different age than they would at home.
Education for expat children
When it comes to schooling for their school-aged children, expat parents have a few options:
# Local schools
# International schools
Again, it’s important to do research before choosing a place to live. Whether or not you send your child to a local school may depend on how good the public schools are in the country where you’re moving. One good thing about doing this, though, is that it will definitely help your child learn the language of their new home, which will help them in the long run.
On the other hand, your children will be able to meet other kids in the same situation as them at an international school. This may help them feel more at home.
When deciding when to move, you should also think about schools. It might be hard for your child to start a new school in the middle of the year, so you might want to plan your move for the beginning of a new school year. Find out when school terms start and how to enrol. Even in your own country, it can be hard for a child to start a new school in the middle of the school year. Imagine if they were starting a new school in a new country under the same conditions. Try to help your kids feel more at home in the new country.
Think of safety
Make sure your kids know how to stay safe in their new home. For example, they should know which neighbourhoods are safe, if it’s safe to travel alone, and if there are any natural dangers they should be aware of. Theodora and her son live in Bali. The beach is a great place for kids to meet each other, but there are some risks to watch out for. “Make sure you and your kids know how to stay safe in the water. Sea currents are nothing to joke about,” she says.
It takes time to find a place to live in the right neighbourhood. It also takes time, which many people just don’t have when they get there. But it doesn’t have to be full of mines. It’s much easier to compare properties in your city if all the information is laid out in a clear way. Services vary from country to country, but many real estate websites have powerful search engines that let you tailor your home search.
Most expats settle in well during their first year if they do the right things before they move and get help from relocation agents. Most go on to have a richly rewarding experience. But you can’t say enough about how important it is to find the right place to live in the right neighbourhood. Also, teach your kids about any cultural differences that could get them into trouble.
“Singapore and Thailand have much better medical care than the US.”
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Make your new house a home
Even before you ship your things to a new country, letting your kids make small decisions about what to bring helps them feel in charge and a part of the move. Younger kids might get upset if they see all their toys and belongings being taken away. Make sure to reassure them that they’re just being moved to a new room.
Ask your kids to pack their three desert island essentials in their survival bags for the move. This will keep them busy on the trip or while they wait for the rest of their things to arrive. You can also make the change easier by bringing things from home on the plane instead of waiting for them to arrive later.