These 7 Countries Offer the Best Environment & Climate

7. Sweden

You’re looking for lots of nature and environmentally friendly policies? Welcome to Sweden!

Over four in five respondents in Sweden (84%) agree that the government supports policies aimed at protecting the environment, compared to just 61% of expats worldwide. A similar share (81%) rate the availability of green goods and services positively (vs. 64% globally).

So hopefully, Sweden’s clean air (6th out of 53 countries) and natural environment (6th) will be preserved for many more years to come.

Expats also rank Sweden 1st for the urban environment, i.e., green spaces, noise levels, and so on. The one thing dragging it down, though? That’s the weather (44th).

6. Australia

Compared to Sweden, the sun shines aplenty in Australia — and close to three-quarters of expats (73%) rate the climate positively (vs. 58% globally).

The urban (6th) and natural (8th) environments similarly delight, and just 3% of expats have something negative to say about the air quality (vs. 19% globally).

“It’s such a beautiful country. I love all the water, beaches, nature, walks, and wildlife,” a British respondent in Sydney shares.

However, while the availability of green goods and services is good (11th), government policies to protect the environment could be better (18th). Plans to establish a federal environment protection agency by 2025 had to be tabled amid industry and political backlash, particularly in Western Australia. Following re-election, the Labor government remains committed to delivering on their green goals.¹

5. Portugal

Close to a quarter of respondents (23%) moved to Portugal in search of a better quality of life (vs. 9% globally). Judging by the country’s 5th place in the Environment & Climate Subcategory, they’ve found it at least in that regard.

Expats rate Portugal in the top 10 for air quality (7th) and the natural environment (9th). In the words of a US American respondent: “The country is green and scenic, and the beaches are stunning.” Close to four in five expats in Portugal (78%) also view their urban environment positively (vs. 66% globally).

The biggest draw is the warm weather and climate. With 290 days of sunshine in a year, Portugal is one of the sunniest destinations in Europe² — a fact appreciated by close to nine in ten respondents (89%) who regard the local climate positively (vs. 58%). The majority (52%) even gives it the best possible rating, more than twice the global average of 25%.

4. New Zealand

Like its neighbor Australia, New Zealand delights with the quality of its urban (8th) and natural (7th) environments. From the Southern Alps and their glaciers to volcanoes, fjords, and beaches, New Zealand’s geography offers a stunning mix of landscapes across a comparatively small area.

“The people and nature are amazing. It’s a great place to live, for everyone,” an Austrian expat points out. In fact, an impressive 56% of respondents in New Zealand are planning on staying potentially forever (vs. 34% globally).

However, there seems to be room for improvement when it comes to the availability of green goods and services: an average share of 65% give this point a positive rating (vs. 64% globally). The air quality is great (5th), though, and 71% of respondents like the New Zealand weather (vs. 58% globally).

3. Austria

Vienna regularly ranks among the top 3 of various livability studies (e.g., Mercer’s Quality of Living City Ranking³, Economist’s Global Liveability Index⁴), and Austria’s results across the Environment & Climate Subcategory reflect this.

There’s “clean air, an absence of noise, and it’s very green (parks, etc.),” a German respondent points out. In fact, Austria ranks 5th and 4th for its urban and natural environments, respectively.

Four in five expats (80%) agree that the Austrian government supports policies to protect this environment (vs. 61% globally). And an even higher share of 84% find that green goods and services are readily available. That’s 20 percentage points over the global average (64%)!

The one minor downside? The climate and weather (30th).

2. Switzerland

Since the Environment & Climate Subcategory’s introduction in its current form in 2022, Switzerland has consistently ranked among the top 3.

“It’s a beautiful country that’s well maintained (cities and nature), and with responsible and respectful citizens,” a French respondent summarizes. Over four in five expats rate the urban environment (82% vs. 66% globally) and the air quality (86% vs. 64% globally) positively.

The country also lands in the top 10 for the availability of green services and goods (6th), the government’s support of green policies (10th), and — most notably — the natural environment (2nd). Over four in five expats (85%) give this factor the best possible rating (vs. 54% globally)!

Switzerland’s “worst” result in the subcategory? The weather (24th), just like neighboring Austria.

1. Costa Rica

There is one country that scores even better than Switzerland when it comes to nature: Costa Rica (1st)!

Not a single respondent had something negative — or even just neutral! — to say about the natural environment in this Central American country (100% positive ratings vs. 82% globally).

And in contrast to the European countries on the podium, the climate and weather is a big draw. Over nine in ten expats (95%) approve (vs. 58% globally), with close to three-quarters (72%) giving it the highest rating (vs. 25%).

These results, together with a 2nd place for air quality, push Costa Rica to the top of the Environment & Climate Subcategory.

“I really like the nature and emphasis on protecting the environment […] The weather in San Jose couldn’t be more perfect,” according to a US American respondent. Close to three-quarters (73%) agree that the government supports green policies (vs. 61% globally).

With such a pleasant environment, it’s unsurprising that more than half the respondents in Costa Rica (52%) would like to stay possibly forever (vs. 34% globally).

 

External Sources

1. The Sydney Morning Herald. Environmentalists say our green goals don’t protect nature or work for business. Here’s how Labor plans to fix the problem. 10 Jun 2025.
2. Express. The ‘sunniest’ country in Europe that’s not Spain and reaches 26C in May. 3 May 2025.
3. Mercer: Quality of Living City Ranking 2024.
4. EIU: The Global Liveability Index 2024.