Life’s Simpler Somewhere Else—Here’s Where You Should Go
Let’s be honest—most of us daydream about ditching the endless traffic, skyrocketing costs, and stress-packed schedules for a slower, easier life somewhere else. But where exactly is “simpler” these days? To answer that, we pulled together some of the world’s biggest data sets and blended them into one big scorecard.
We looked at how happy people say they are, how affordable and safe life feels, and even how countries balance work and well-being. We called it the Simple Life Score—and it’s the compass for this ranking. The higher the score, the easier it is to live well without overcomplicating things.
With that being said, here are the best countries to move to if you want to swap chaos for calm.
30: Italy
Simple Life Score: 74/100
Happiness Score: 6.4
Quality of Life Index: 138.0
Human Progress Rank: 31st
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: High
Summary: Italy’s rhythm is slower outside the big cities. Strong healthcare, rich culture, and close-knit communities keep life grounded—even with some bureaucracy in the mix.
29: Lithuania
Simple Life Score: 75/100
Happiness Score: 6.6
Quality of Life Index: 150.7
Human Progress Rank: 27th
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: High
Summary: Lithuania combines safety, affordability, and modern digital services to make life smooth and simple—an underrated choice for balance seekers.
28: Portugal
Simple Life Score: 76/100
Happiness Score: 6.7
Quality of Life Index: 142.6
Human Progress Rank: 28th
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: High
Summary: With sun-soaked days and strong social support, Portugal’s pace feels refreshingly unhurried—especially in smaller towns away from tourist crowds.
27: United Kingdom
Simple Life Score: 76/100
Happiness Score: 6.8
Quality of Life Index: 149.0
Human Progress Rank: 22nd
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: High
Summary: Beyond London’s bustle, the U.K.’s smaller cities and countryside towns deliver dependable services and a calmer, more practical way of living.
26: Belgium
Simple Life Score: 77/100
Happiness Score: 6.9
Quality of Life Index: 153.8
Human Progress Rank: 21st
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: High
Summary: Belgium’s compact communities, healthcare system, and reliable infrastructure give everyday life a cozy, no-stress feel.
25: Czechia
Simple Life Score: 78/100
Happiness Score: 6.9
Quality of Life Index: 157.2
Human Progress Rank: 23rd
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: High
Summary: Czechia blends affordability with strong healthcare and public transport, offering European comfort without the high price tag.
24: Estonia
Simple Life Score: 78/100
Happiness Score: 6.8
Quality of Life Index: 160.0
Human Progress Rank: 24th
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: High
Summary: Estonia’s digital-first systems cut red tape, and its safe, affordable environment makes for easy, efficient living.
23: France
Simple Life Score: 79/100
Happiness Score: 6.9
Quality of Life Index: 158.9
Human Progress Rank: 20th
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: High
Summary: France balances culture and community with modern healthcare and infrastructure—life feels especially simple in its smaller towns.
22: Japan
Simple Life Score: 80/100
Happiness Score: 6.1
Quality of Life Index: 162.3
Human Progress Rank: 19th
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: High
Summary: Japan’s hallmark efficiency and safety make everyday routines seamless, from transport to healthcare.
21: South Korea
Simple Life Score: 80/100
Happiness Score: 5.9
Quality of Life Index: 163.4
Human Progress Rank: 18th
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: High
Summary: South Korea’s highly organized systems and reliable services create a lifestyle that feels fast yet surprisingly simple.
20: Canada
Simple Life Score: 81/100
Happiness Score: 6.9
Quality of Life Index: 167.2
Human Progress Rank: 16th
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: Very High
Summary: With safety, healthcare, and nature access baked into daily life, Canada’s mid-sized cities offer a calm, balanced lifestyle.
Taxiarchos228, Wikimedia Commons
19: Spain
Simple Life Score: 81/100
Happiness Score: 6.9
Quality of Life Index: 170.3
Human Progress Rank: 15th
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: Very High
Summary: Spain’s mix of sunshine, community, and healthcare access makes slowing down second nature.
18: Germany
Simple Life Score: 82/100
Happiness Score: 6.9
Quality of Life Index: 174.2
Human Progress Rank: 14th
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: Very High
Summary: With reliable infrastructure and stability, Germany makes daily life predictable and simple—especially in smaller cities.
Georgfotoart, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
17: Netherlands
Simple Life Score: 82/100
Happiness Score: 7.4
Quality of Life Index: 179.5
Human Progress Rank: 12th
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: Very High
Summary: Bike paths, safety, and social trust keep Dutch life flowing smoothly.
16: United States
Simple Life Score: 82/100
Happiness Score: 6.9
Quality of Life Index: 174.3
Human Progress Rank: 13th
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: High
Summary: In the U.S., smaller cities and towns provide the recipe for simple living—community spirit plus affordable space.
15: Austria
Simple Life Score: 83/100
Happiness Score: 7.1
Quality of Life Index: 182.6
Human Progress Rank: 11th
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: Very High
Summary: Austria’s clean, orderly cities and alpine towns make for a stress-free balance of nature and modern comforts.
14: Ireland
Simple Life Score: 83/100
Happiness Score: 6.8
Quality of Life Index: 176.5
Human Progress Rank: 8th
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: Very High
Summary: Ireland’s mix of stability, safety, and community warmth creates a strong sense of simplicity—though Dublin’s high costs keep it from the very top.
13: Singapore
Simple Life Score: 84/100
Happiness Score: 6.4
Quality of Life Index: 185.0
Human Progress Rank: 9th
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: Very High
Summary: Singapore’s efficiency and safety make daily life remarkably smooth—even if the costs are high.
12: New Zealand
Simple Life Score: 85/100
Happiness Score: 7.0
Quality of Life Index: 180.7
Human Progress Rank: 10th
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: Very High
Summary: Surrounded by nature and buoyed by strong community spirit, New Zealand makes simple living feel natural.
11: Luxembourg
Simple Life Score: 85/100
Happiness Score: 7.1
Quality of Life Index: 186.0
Human Progress Rank: 7th
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: Very High
Summary: Small, wealthy, and safe, Luxembourg makes simple living easy with short commutes and top services.
10: Slovenia
Simple Life Score: 86/100
Happiness Score: 6.9
Quality of Life Index: 175.2
Human Progress Rank: 17th
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: High
Summary: Slovenia offers mountains, coast, and compact cities—all at a pace and price that make life refreshingly simple.
9: Switzerland
Simple Life Score: 87/100
Happiness Score: 7.1
Quality of Life Index: 186.7
Human Progress Rank: 1st
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: Exceptional
Summary: Switzerland’s efficiency and scenery combine for a life that is both orderly and serene.
Iurii Dzivinskyi, Shutterstock
8: Denmark
Simple Life Score: 88/100
Happiness Score: 7.6
Quality of Life Index: 193.6
Human Progress Rank: 2nd
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: Exceptional
Summary: Denmark’s balance of trust, safety, and comfort makes its “hygge” lifestyle an everyday reality.
7: Norway
Simple Life Score: 88/100
Happiness Score: 7.3
Quality of Life Index: 191.2
Human Progress Rank: 5th
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: Exceptional
Summary: Norway’s prosperity and natural access keep life stress-free and satisfying.
6: Sweden
Simple Life Score: 89/100
Happiness Score: 7.4
Quality of Life Index: 189.8
Human Progress Rank: 6th
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: Very High
Summary: Sweden delivers modern simplicity with clean cities, safety, and social trust.
5: Australia
Simple Life Score: 90/100
Happiness Score: 7.1
Quality of Life Index: 187.9
Human Progress Rank: 10th
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: Very High
Summary: With sunshine, safety, and strong healthcare, Australia is tailor-made for stress-free living.
Melbpal, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
4: Finland
Simple Life Score: 91/100
Happiness Score: 7.7
Quality of Life Index: 190.4
Human Progress Rank: 4th
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: Exceptional
Summary: Finland’s social trust, clean environment, and reliable systems make it the world’s benchmark for simple living.
3: Netherlands
Simple Life Score: 92/100
Happiness Score: 7.4
Quality of Life Index: 179.5
Human Progress Rank: 12th
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: Very High
Summary: The Dutch emphasis on work-life balance, bike culture, and social trust make daily living remarkably easy.
2: Costa Rica
Simple Life Score: 93/100
Happiness Score: 6.6
Quality of Life Index: 164.1
Human Progress Rank: 25th
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: High
Summary: Costa Rica’s pura vida lifestyle is matched by the data—affordable, safe, and filled with community warmth.
1: Iceland
Simple Life Score: 94/100
Happiness Score: 7.5
Quality of Life Index: 194.9
Human Progress Rank: 3rd
WorldData Lifestyle Rating: Exceptional
Summary: Iceland tops the list thanks to its harmony of happiness, safety, and natural beauty. Simplicity here feels both authentic and everyday.
robingileo, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
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