Best Country to Raise a Family in the World

Are y'all thinking of moving abroad with your family unit? Or are you already in the process of relocating with kids? Nosotros know that planning to movement away gives you lot a lot to think near, but when you're thinking of moving with your children yous accept to think about and plan so much more. And then, to brand it easier for you, nosotros have come up with a list of best countries to enhance a family around the world, and shared some top tips from expats who take already had feel of relocating abroad with family unit. What tin you larn from the families who have already moved to new homes in other countries and are raising their kids abroad?

Relocating abroad with kids can be truly rewarding / GETTY IMAGES

Best countries to heighten a family unit when you lot are relocating with kids

Making the conclusion to motility abroad is a big decision for anyone, merely if yous have children who will be making the movement with you lot, the relocation process tin can become even more daunting. The benefits of living and working abroad at whatsoever age are enormous; even so, kids often have difficulty seeing the exciting parts of such an opportunity in the face up of the loss of familiar locations and friends who will be left behind. Language tin initially exist a bulwark as well; ensuring that your move abroad is successful for all of your family members when you are relocating with kids volition take significant preparation in advance of your difference date. So, what are the best countries in the world to enhance a family?

UNICEF ranked all-time countries across the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and European Union (Eu) based on their national family-friendly policies:

1. Sweden
2. Norway
3. Republic of iceland
4. Estonia
5. Portugal
6. Germany
7. Denmark
8. Slovenia
9. Luxemburg
10. France

Source: UNICEF's Office of Enquiry – Innocenti. Are the world'south richest countries family friendly? Policy in the OECD and EU. 2019

Since this ranking, which analyses vi categories that identify favorable conditions for raising a family, including condom, happiness, cost, health, education and time, other studies have produced slightly different lists.

Hither, we take a closer look at some countries with the earth'southward best conditions to raise a family and how their approaches differ. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Western European countries top a listing of nations seen to be the all-time countries in the world to raise a family.

What are the best countries to raise a family?

The coronavirus has put a spotlight on how difficult it is to raise children and juggle a career at the aforementioned time. Lack of free or affordable child care was a problem earlier the pandemic, then this is something you should definitely consider when relocating with kids. And then, the ranking below draws from a global perspective and ranks countries based on scores from a compilation of different country attributes: safe, childcare cost, happiness, wellness, teaching, maternity and paternity leave.

Iceland

Not merely is Iceland known as one of the best places in the globe to be a mum, information technology's also the world's best place for working parents, thanks to the flexibility and benefits both parents enjoy when information technology comes to raising kids. Icelandic parents bask more time with their newborns. Shut to xc% of fathers take their mandatory 3 months' paternity leave, and research shows that Icelandic dads continue to be involved in their kid's childhood.Whether they are at work or university, mothers and babies are welcome everywhere – even in parliamentary sessions. The reason for this is businesslike: babies need to stay close to their mums during this crucial stage of development.

Family unit walking in the surface area of beautiful waterfall in Skaftafell national park in Iceland / GETTY IMAGES

Across the newborn stage, Icelandic parents have access to a wealth of activities and facilities that brand it easier to bring their children around5. By just including their kids in as many of their life experiences as possible, the precious moments and memories they share enable children to bond naturally closer with their parents.

Mums and dads larn to balance their piece of work and social commitments while staying involved in their children's evolution. Complimentary from any force per unit area to choose betwixt family and career, parents share child rearing responsibilities while having the infinite and time for themselves to grow every bit individuals.

Country breakdown:

Rubber: 10/x
Childcare price: 9/10
Happiness: 8/10
Wellness: 9/10
Education: seven/10
Maternity and paternity leave: 10/10

Central values in a typical Danish family unit include punctuality, planning, and responsibility / GETTY IMAGES

Kingdom of denmark

The Scandinavian country is known for its excellent track record in terms of child intendance, safety standards, and enabling infrastructure, that'south why it is on our list of best places for relocating with kids. Citizens with per capita GDP of over $52,000 are more than than happy to pay higher taxes as they are getting the best atmosphere for the upbringing of children. Prophylactic, intendance almost homo rights, surround for gender equality and a well-developed public education system are amid the factors that brought Kingdom of denmark to one of the best countries to raise a family listing.

Some of the reasons behind are authorities promoting gender equality by offering earnings-related solar day care arrangement and a very flexible parental leave policy. Working hours are short, and it'due south perfectly OK to leave piece of work at 3 or 4 o'clock to option upwards your kids. In that location's a good system for early babyhood health. A nurse visits your home when your child is a baby. Later on, there are regular checkups with a doctor. If your child has the sniffles, you tin take off work and stay home with her. The first two days are paid time off.

And, of course, in that location's the day care organisation. It'southward not gratis, simply it's reasonably priced, and it'southward overnice to be able to drop off your kid in a safe place with trained people while you lot go to work.

Country breakdown:

Rubber: 9/10
Childcare cost: ix/10
Happiness: 9/10
Health: 6/10
Pedagogy: 8/ten
Motherhood and paternity go out: 8/10

Sweden has been considered as 1 of the best countries for expat families to raise children in / GETTY IMAGES

Sweden

The land of 10 million Swedish scores perfect on human rights and the environment. With an almost equivalent per capita Gdp of $53,000, the land has one of the highest kid security standards with the best in class wellness and education infrastructure – relocating with kids should be a dandy idea!

Sweden is considered a peachy place to enhance kids. Institutions similar Försäkringskassan (Swedish Social Insurance Bureau), arrive possible for parents to spend more time with their children. Children from the age of 3 receive 525 hours a year free of charge. The system is complemented by paid parental leave arrangements that provide 480 days for each child, insured at 80 per cent of parental income.

Both parents are expected to actively take role in raising children. This includes taking time off from work to take care of a sick child or to become on paid parental leave. Parents tin share days or transfer them to each other.

State breakup:

Safety: nine/10
Childcare cost: 8/10
Happiness: 10/10
Wellness: 9/10
Educational activity: 7/ten
Motherhood and paternity leave: 9/10

The Finnish believe that play, solo or with peers, helps prepare kids for formal schooling as it builds one'southward social skills and self-esteem / GETTY IMAGES

Republic of finland

Finland has been widely recognised as ane of the safest country in the world. Considering the dangers of the world today such as war, law-breaking, and terrorism – being safety and sound is something every family unit needs above all else when you are relocating with kids. Parents worry over their kids' safety above everything else. Knowing you lot're living in a country known for its prophylactic helps plow this everyday worry into an afterthought.

New mothers can choose to either receive the babe box- a container holding many essentials for taking care of a baby, which can as well double as a crib, which all mothers residing in Finland can use to receive. If there is no demand for this package, the family unit can utilize to receive an untaxed sum of 140 euros per newborn- all covered by the Finnish government. The regime also offers a paid maternity leave of 4 months-not only for regularly employed mothers, but also those who are self-employed, students, and even unemployed. And if that isn't enough, "rainbow families", or same-sex families are allowed to avail of these benefits.

The fees for public child day care (varhaiskasvatus) depend on the family'southward income. The maximum fee of municipal early on childhood education is United states of america$340 (€288) for the first child and US$170 (€144) for the second child. The minimum fee is U.s.$32 (€27) per child.

Country breakdown:

Safety: 10/ten
Childcare cost: 9/10
Happiness: nine/10
Health: 8/10
Education: 7/10
Maternity and paternity leave: 9/ten

In Kingdom of norway, parents take joint parental responsibility for the children they take together / GETTY IMAGES

Norway

Norway is considered i of the most environmentally suitable countries for kids. The westernmost country in the Scandinavian Peninsula, with a population of over 5 million, is known for its highly advanced health and didactics infrastructure. With per capita income of over $74,000, the Norwegian are providing a perfect ecosystem for the overall growth of kids in the happiest environment – great to know when you are relocating with kids.

Another reason why Norway is a very good country to raise your children is due to the fact that children's' development and care are prioritised. Children of all ages get to play outdoors to help boost their imagination, while every urban center in Kingdom of norway provides a variety of activities for families. Children in Norway begin attention kindergarten at the age of one, correct afterwards parental leave ends. This is known every bit barnehage and children commonly get to i in their municipality. There are too dissimilar types of kindergartens, depending on how many hours a solar day you need childcare, so you have several options to choose from, amid which such where you can collaborate with other parents while your children are playing.

Your family always comes kickoff in Norway and employers understand this, and so they are very considerate when information technology comes to your taking care of your children when they get sick. Moreover, all children nether the age of xvi are entitled to free medical care, including dental intendance, so in that location'southward no cause for concern if you and your family unit are moving to Norway.

Country breakup:

Safety: 9/10
Childcare cost: 8/10
Happiness: 10/10
Health: 9/10
Education: vii/10
Maternity and paternity leave: nine/10

Dutch children are regularly found to be the happiest in the globe / GETTY IMAGES

The netherlands

When information technology comes to health and welfare, holland is in some other Northward European land, leading the raising of children ranking and everything related to relocating with kids. Known for family unit values and freedom, the land has the highest ecology rating along with highly protective child safety standards. With a population of 17 million, the state of windmills and ports has the world's all-time health and teaching organization. People with per capita Gross domestic product of over $56,000 are spending big on child care.

There are many theories on why the Netherlands is home to the earth's happiest children, but many agree that information technology is a combination of numerous things. A child's opinions and views are valued and heard in the Netherlands. In fact, children are encouraged to vocalisation their opinions at a young historic period. Schools and (international) childcare providers oft piece of work with a children's council that meets regularly to hash out and participate in decisions on current topics.

The Dutch regime encourages cities to promote the rights and interests of children through local initiatives such as reserving 3 percentage of residential areas for children's playgrounds, sandboxes, and more. In the Netherlands, it is not unusual to detect more than one playground, soccer field, and fitness area per neighbourhood.

Country breakdown:

Safety: vii/x
Childcare toll: 8/10
Happiness: 10/10
Wellness: viii/10
Teaching: seven/x
Maternity and paternity get out: 9/10

If family unit meals are important to you lot, the Swiss school system ensures you have luncheon with your children everyday / GETTY IMAGES

Switzerland

The quality of maternal and infant healthcare in Switzerland is second to none. Relocating with kids tin exist a groovy idea: from the moment their babies are born, Swiss mothers are surrounded by comforting expert aid from people with time to spare. At that place is no rush to ship new mothers home from the hospital. Fourth dimension is taken to help become breastfeeding established if desired. And in about cases, it is desired. Almost two-thirds exclusively breastfed in the first iii to four months, manner alee of most other European countries.

Swiss parents are more often than not reluctant to hand their children over to childcare providers. This may have something to exercise with the history of children who were taken away from poor parents past the regime in the not very distant by. Grandparent intendance is very mutual, and mothers of young children rarely work full fourth dimension. More fathers are reducing their working hours besides.

Land breakup:

Prophylactic: 8/10
Childcare price: 6/10
Happiness: 8/10
Wellness: 10/10
Education: 7/10
Maternity and paternity leave: 9/10

Height tips from expats relocating with kids

Moving abroad with children can exist 1 of the most rewarding experiences in life, and it is condign more and more common nowadays amidst families who see living away as something they must experience at least one time in their lifetime. But moving abroad with children is not an easy task – apart from financial factors, emotions and expectations need to be factored in earlier jumping on a plane, in order to ensure a successful transition. Where volition they go to schoolhouse? How volition they settle in? Will they make friends? How does relocation affect a child? How tin can you make sure children go the most from their expat feel, whether you lot're moving permanently or temporarily?

Nosotros have put together superlative tips for relocating with kids, to help you ensure that your relocation tin can be a slap-up feel for the whole family. At that place'due south no one amend to requite advice on relocating with kids than those of the states who have already washed it:

Clara Wiggins, author of the Expat Partner's Survival Guide	Theodora Sutcliffe, freelance journalist and nomad	Jaimie Seaton, writer, journalist and editor from US

Tip 1/ Getting ready to move

Enquire seasoned expats and they'll concord that it's important to get the kids involved in researching and preparing to alive away. Talk to your children about where you're going and why, and the opportunities the movement offers. They might exist excited about the motility, but if they're worried, listen to what they have to say and talk over the issues with them.

If at all possible, visit the place you're moving to alee of time – you tin can even give older children the chance to requite their input when choosing a habitation.

Endeavor to research the atmospheric condition patterns of your chosen destination – moving abroad where it is sunny tin can be more appealing to younger members of the family unit!

We also recommend researching local and traditional celebrations in your new destination. Christmas and New year's day is traditionally a time to be spent with friends and family. If it is the virtually celebrated time of year in your family unit, imagine your first Christmas in your new state where yous do not know anybody, you lot may not fifty-fifty be able to buy a Christmas tree and all the gifts sent by mail take not yet arrived.

Clara Wiggins, along with her hubby and their 2 daughters, have lived in a host of locations around the earth. She suggests preparing children for moving by involving them in home searches and school visits.

"If you are not able to accept children on a await-meet, I would recommend doing a video for them or even a live Facetime or Skype then they can get an thought of where they are going."

Google Earth and Streetview can be useful too, she says.

Tip 2/ Inquiry children'south healthcare

Concerns about your children's health will be ane of the items at the height of the agenda when you motility to a new country. It'due south important to research what's available when yous choose your location:

• Will your child be able to access state healthcare and what is the standard of that healthcare?
• Will you lot be living inside like shooting fish in a barrel reach of doctors' surgeries and hospitals?
• If your child needs specific medication or access to ongoing treatments, how attainable will these be?
• If the company y'all're working for is providing wellness insurance, will it cover your children?

Call local hospitals or doctors, and seek advice from other expats via online forums and Facebook groups.

Once yous get to your new country, exist aware that many health issues tin can be prevented past using common sense. Make certain that your children sympathize safety rules nearly drinking h2o; for example, can they brush their teeth with tap water? The aforementioned applies to food safety, especially at street stalls and markets.

Simply given the incredibly varied quality and availability of public healthcare from state to country, not all expats will move to a location that offers reliable local medical services. Yous may even be expected to foot the nib for individual healthcare, so having international health insurance cover in identify is vital before you get anywhere.

While her family unit were posted in St. Lucia, Clara knew that if there was a serious health incident, they would exist medically evacuated under the terms of her private insurance plan. But she besides suggests preparing for the unexpected.

"I ever recommend doing a 'dry run' to your local emergency department or infirmary and making sure its location is in your GPS and number is in your telephone," she says. She points out that information technology is also important to know what the procedure is when y'all arrive at infirmary, for example, do you need to pay for treatments upwards front end?

Such procedures will vary greatly depending on whether you have an international private medical insurance (IPMI) plan, if it provides direct settlement to the hospital, or if you're accessing intendance independently.

Expat children's vaccinations

Before you brand the move, observe out what vaccinations your children demand for the country of your selection. They may be different to the ones they're routinely given at home, as there may exist dissimilar health risks in the state you're moving to.

Y'all'll too need to stay up-to-date with your child's immunisations while you're overseas. Be aware that countries have their own vaccination schedules, so your kid may receive their jabs at a unlike historic period than they would if they were at home.

Afterwards 4 years of travelling together, Theodora and her son settled in Bali. "It'south important to be aware that medical care in Bali isn't the best," says Sutcliffe, "Virtually expats get medical insurance that covers them to be evacuated to home or a second land, typically Singapore, in emergencies."

Tip 3/ Education for expat children

Expat parents have a couple of choices for education for school-age children:

• Local schools
• International schools

Again, it's important to do your inquiry earlier making a decision on where to alive. Whether y'all choose to send your child to a local school may depend on the standard of state education in the land y'all're moving to. Yet, ane advantage of doing this is that information technology will undoubtedly help your kid learn the language of their new home – something that will stand them in good stead in the futurity.

On the other hand, an international school volition enable your children to meet others in a similar situation to them, which may assistance them settle in.

Also consider schools when deciding what fourth dimension of yr to brand the move – it may be difficult for your child to start their new schoolhouse in the center of a year, so you lot might want to adjust your move to coincide with the starting time of a new school yr. Research school term times and enrolment procedures. Fifty-fifty in your home land, starting a child in a new school in the eye of the school year can be challenging. Imagine starting them in a new schoolhouse in a new land in the same circumstances. Try to make information technology easier for your kids to feel at abode in the new land.

Tip iv/ Retrieve of prophylactic

Brand sure your children empathise safety issues in their new home, for instance, which neighbourhoods are safe, whether it's safe to travel alone and whatever natural hazards to watch out for. In Bali, where Theodora and her son are based, the beach is a bully place to meet other kids merely there are dangers to be aware of. "Make certain you lot and your children understand water condom: the currents in the sea are no laughing affair," she says.

Finding a place to live in the right neighbourhood is an exercise in patience. It'due south as well an investment in time that many people simply practice not accept when they arrive. But it demand not exist a minefield. It's far easier to have all the data presented as a clear comparison of available properties in your city. Services vary by country, but many real estate websites have robust search engines that let you to customize your search for a home.

With the right pre-move preparations and support from relocation agents, most expats settle in well during their kickoff year; the bulk get on to bask a richly rewarding experience. But the importance of finding the right place to live in the right neighbourhood cannot be overstated. Also make your kids aware of any cultural consequences that could get them into tricky situations.

"Frame the move as a keen opportunity and adventure, not as a claiming," Jaimie says. "Practice research as a family of your new home, teach them about the culture, look up fun things to do in the new country." Seaton also ensured that her children understood cultural differences before they moved to Thailand from United states of america.

"The master things we had to discuss with them were the strict rules effectually the majestic family. Information technology'due south confronting the police to insult the royals, especially the then-king, who has since passed away." When it comes to healthcare, Jaimie found local services to be fantabulous.

"The medical care in Singapore (and Thailand) is far superior to the Us."

Tip v/ Make your new business firm a abode

Before you shop your possessions to a new land, fifty-fifty letting your children make small-scale decisions nigh what to accept helps them feel in control and a part of the movement. Younger children may become distressed seeing all their toys and possessions being taken away; make certain to explain to them that they're just being moved to their new bedroom.

When packing your survival bags for the move, ask your kids to pack their three desert island essentials to continue them entertained on the journey or while they await the delivery of the rest of their belongings. You tin too ease the transition by bringing familiar things from home on the plane, rather than waiting for them to arrive afterward.

"We brought my younger girl'southward fairy lights for her bedroom, and nosotros too brought their duvet and pillow covers. The first few nights in a new identify can be hard and then making their rooms feel similar dwelling is one mode to help", Clara Wiggins says.

When you lot finally arrive at your destination, catch upwardly on some slumber, have some time to relax, and explore your new surroundings. You lot can at present concentrate on making your new firm a home and settling back into family life.

Y'all'll demand your energy for when your belongings arrive; it's a good idea to get the children'due south rooms sorted starting time. Fill these rooms with familiar things to make them feel more comfortable in their new environment. Go older children and teenagers involved in unpacking their own belongings. By allowing them to determine where their belongings go and decorate their own room, they can build some excitement and feelings of positivity about existence in a new city. And don't forget to gloat the move as a family unit. You can even create a new family ritual to mark the happy day.

Tip half-dozen/ Settling in and enjoying your new life

While some children will adjust easily, others may need more time. If your child is missing friends back abode, Skype, Zoom and FaceTime are skilful ways of keeping in touch.

Writing messages helped Clara's daughter. "Very few of these got sent, so what I actually remember she was doing was simply processing her feelings and this is the all-time fashion she could do it."

To keep a familiar routine, Clara'south tip is to continue doing sports and hobbies your child already enjoys, "In our instance this has been football and swimming, which has also given them a take chances to run into children away from the school environment."

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Final thoughts before you make a decision to move abroad with family unit…

Integrating into a new country and community is difficult at whatsoever age. Particularly if you've fabricated the choice to move abroad for work reasons, y'all may exist tempted to avoid adapting to your new home's civilization and language. Pushing yourself to do so, however, tin make it easier for your children to do the same. Lead by instance and let your children meet the joy and wonder that your new state can provide.

The benefits of exposing them to a new culture can be enormous, from providing them with valuable language skills to giving them a broader understanding of the world. Although the challenges of moving away with children can also be significant, taking steps to prepare your family for the move well in advance–and paying close attention to your children's needs throughout the procedure–tin aid every member of your family reap the long-term advantages of fourth dimension spent away.

Wherever you decide to movement, just make sure you have the confidence of global health insurance. At William Russell, we have been providing worldwide wellness encompass for 30 years, helping expats similar yous and their families to settle into their new homes. Speak to u.s. today to discover out more than nigh how global wellness insurance could support you lot.

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Source: https://www.william-russell.com/blog/best-countries-to-raise-family-relocating-expat-kids/

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