Independent work topic: Living in another country

5. Bahrain

Bahrain’s position as the fifth-friendliest country for foreign residents is just part of its stellar performance in the most recent Expat Insider survey. The Gulf State is also considered the best expat destination overall. This year is the first that Bahrain has ranked among the ten most welcoming countries, with 86 percent of expats saying Bahrainis have a friendly attitude towards foreign residents, and 85 percent reporting general satisfaction with their life abroad. Another reason for Bahrain’s popularity might be its very international feel — 91 percent of respondents say that it’s easy to get by without speaking the local language. An American expat highlights the “wonderful people and various cultures” in Bahrain.