12 Safest Countries To Retire In 2024 For Less Than $2,000 A Month (2024)

There's nothing sweeter than spending the golden years in a safe and inexpensive country. While there are many countries where the cost of living is cheaper, safety can be contentious. Some of the best countries to retire in, according to the Global Retirement Index, will cost a retiree more than $2,000 a month, including Switzerland, which costs $2,809 for one person.

On the plus side, the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) has released the Global Peace Index (GPI) 2023 report, which ranks countries according to the economic value of peace. Although global peacefulness has decreased by 0.42% this year, there's still something to celebrate. Iceland has been at the top since 2008.

In this list, these places are among the safest countries to retire in 2024 for less than $2,000 a month, with the lowest Global Peace Index (GPI) Score among 163 countries. Low GPI Scores entail a low crime rate and a higher level of peacefulness.

12 Malaysia

GPI Score: 1.51

Retiring in Malaysia might be an unconventional choice, but with an extremely low cost of living, excellent healthcare, and a tropical climate, retirees are flocking to Malaysia for their retirement. Malaysia is considered one of the safest countries to retire in 2024 and one of the most affordable to live in! At less than $600 per month (including rent), retirees can enjoy every sweet luxury that Malaysia has to offer at a fraction of the cost that they're used to in the United States or Europe.

Malaysia also promotes a vibrant and active lifestyle, with a variety of outdoor opportunities right at your fingertips. Beaches, jungles, mountains, and islands lend themselves to hiking, swimming, canoeing, trekking, rafting, and more for retirees who wish to remain active in their golden years.

• Average Cost of Living Per Person With Rent:$582/month
• Why It's Best for Retirees: Affordable Cost of Living, Warm Climate, Active Lifestyle
• Top 5 Cities: Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Malacca, Johor Bahru, Sandakan

11 Bhutan

GPI Score: 1.49

There's plenty to know before going to Bhutan, a hidden gem in the Himalayas, one of which is that it's not only one of the safest countries to retire to, but it also boasts one of the lowest costs of living in the world. Retirees can live in the small and scenic country of Bhutan for less than $500 per month and enjoy a very peaceful lifestyle.

Retirees can also have peace of mind knowing that Bhutan offers free universal healthcare and high living standards.

Retirees can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking in Bhutan, mountain biking, and whitewater rafting throughout the country's many national parks, valleys, and preserves. There are also over 200 festivals per year worth experiencing to fully immerse yourself in the culture!

• Average Cost of Living Per Person With Rent:$455/month
• Why It's Best for Retirees: Medical Care, Affordable Cost of Living, Pension Benefits
• Top 5 Cities: Haa Valley, Thimphu, Paro, Chukha, Tsirang

10 Croatia

GPI Score: 1.45

A crowning jewel in the Balkans, Croatia is gleaming with a stunning coastline that stretches between the islands and the mainland with gorgeous beaches, beautiful coastal towns, and a rich cultural heritage. Its moderately warm Mediterranean weather makes it a perfect place to live for retirees who fancy living in a mild climate with a relatively low crime rate.

Perhaps the best city to live in the country is Zagreb, a historic, walkable Croatian City with only a $1,221 average cost of living. The Old City of Dubrovnik is also one of the best cities in the country. It is among the best destinations in Croatia for a Mediterranean escape, not to mention that it was the main filming location of the famous fantasy series Game of Thrones.

• Average Cost of Living Per Person With Rent:$1,089/month
• Why It's Best for Retirees: Quality Universal Health Care System, High-income Economy
• Top 5 Cities: Zagreb, Rijeka, Split, Zadar, Dubrovnik

9 Finland

GPI Score: 1.39

Apart from being the happiest country in the world in 2024 (its 6th consecutive year), Finland is also topping the chart as one of the safest countries in the world. With awe-inspiring landscapes, diverse fauna, and expansive wilderness, the country has all the reasons to lure retirees to spend their golden years here.

The country's comprehensive social welfare system, quality education, top-notch healthcare, and unemployment benefits are paramount. It also has an extremely low number of corruption charges and a low crime rate. And if these are not enough, Finland is where people can see Santa Claus in the town of Rovaniemi in Lapland and the breathtaking Aurora Borealis.

• Average Cost of Living Per Person With Rent:$1,543/month
• Why It's Best for Retirees: Comprehensive Social Welfare System, Top-notch Unemployment Benefits
• Top 5 Cities: Helsinki, Espoo, Turku, Tampere, Oulu

8 Czech Republic

GPI Score: 1.37

Known for its beautiful hilly landscape, the Czech Republic is a landlocked country and an oasis of rich culture and history. Also known as Czechia, the country boasts more than 2,000 castles and châteaux, including the Hluboká Castle, which is the prettiest in the Czech Republic. Gorgeous Gothic buildings and stunning countryside scenery are just among the reasons why the Czech Republic should be on your bucket list.

What makes it tempting for retirees is its top-notch public transportation system, which helps people get around with ease, especially in its neighboring European countries. It also has a relatively low crime rate and its universal healthcare system is considered one of the best in Europe and is particularly great for permanent residents who get free public healthcare.

• Average Cost of Living Per Person With Rent:$1,477/month
• Why It's Best for Retirees: Top-notch Public Transportation System, Free Public & Private Healthcare
• Top 5 Cities: Prague, Brno, Plzen, Ostrava, Liberec

7 Canada

GPI Score: 1.35

North Americans will be happy to know that Canada is one of the safest countries in the world with less than $2,000 average cost of living. This means that retirees don't have to go further than North America to spend their twilight years.

Canada's universal healthcare system gives its people access to health services that are publicly funded, and its crime rate is generally considered low. With an abundance of gorgeous nature and historical wonders, especially in the Canadian Rockies, which offer unique experiences, there's no reason not to love Canada.

• Average Cost of Living Per Person With Rent:$1,931/month
• Why It's Best for Retirees: Efficient Universal Healthcare System, Solid Economy
• Top 5 Cities: Surrey, Montreal, Toronto, Laval, Vancouver

6 Japan

GPI Score: 1.336

Japan's economic stability, very low crime rate, and low cost of living are among the top reasons why it's a perfect place to retire in 2024, especially for retirees coming from different parts of Asia. The birthplace of sushi and ramen, Japan is also known for its UNESCO-listed sites, including the famous Himeji Castle - the most popular and largest castle in the country.

Japan is also known for its marvelous distinctive gardens and sculptures, as well as deep forests and natural hot springs, especially in Nagano, one of the many places with hotels built on hot springs. Retirees will also enjoy the country's well-developed transportation system, especially its famed bullet train (Shinkansen), which makes it easy for everyone to travel across the country.

• Average Cost of Living Per Person With Rent:$1,064/month
• Why It's Best for Retirees: Stable Economy, Inexpensive Cost of Living, Well-developed Public Health System
• Top 5 Cities: Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, Okinawa

5 Slovenia

GPI Score: 1.334

Known for its gorgeous peaks, enchanting UNESCO-listed caves, pristine lakes and rivers, and marvelous ski resorts, Slovenia is dotted with baroque facades, 20th-century architecture, medieval castles, and a diverse topography. Slovenia is a small European gem with lots of things to do, such as skiing and exploring its ancient caves.

Retirees will love it here because of its well-developed economy, and it is, in fact, the richest Slavic country by gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. Its efficient transportation corridors make it even more convenient for people to travel around and to its neighboring countries. All Slovenian cities and small towns also have their own medical emergency assistance and individual clinics. It's also in the top 10 safest countries in 2024.

• Average Cost of Living Per Person With Rent:$1,212/month
• Why It's Best for Retirees: Efficient Transportation System, Developed Economy, Universally Accessible Healthcare
• Top 5 Cities: Ljubljana, Kranj, Maribor, Nova Gorica, Celje

4 Portugal

GPI Score: 1.333

A temperate Mediterranean climate, a very low crime rate, and a cost of living of less than $1,200 a month are something to get excited about in Portugal. Retirees will have access to the country's public healthcare system as soon as they become permanent residents, but they can have voluntary private health insurance.

Portugal's towns of Cascais, Tavira, and Funchal are also among the best towns to retire in Europe because of their laid-back lifestyle, warm climate, and top-notch healthcare facilities. It's a well-developed and high-income country with reasonable transportation costs. Its capital and largest city, Lisbon, was named the most budget-friendly European destination to travel to in 2024 and is also the top city to retire in Portugal.

• Average Cost of Living Per Person With Rent:$1,160/month
• Why It's Best for Retirees: Affordable Cost of Living, High-income Country, Accessible Public Healthcare System
• Top 5 Cities: Lisbon, Porto, Cascais, Vila Nova de Gaia, Oeira

3 Austria

GPI Score: 1.316

Austria trails New Zealand and Denmark as one of the safest countries to retire in 2024 with less than $2,000 monthly cost of living. It sits in the Eastern Alps with a rich cultural heritage, having been the birthplace of classical music composers, including Mozart. Being a landlocked country, Austria is known for its gorgeous peaks, beautiful slopes, and dramatic castles.

People will love retiring here because of its consistently high ranking in GDP per capita with good accessibility to healthcare services, as well as a very low crime rate with a well-trained law enforcement system. Its beautiful capital city, Vienna, is also steeped in awe-inspiring architecture, rich history, and a completely stunning urban charm.

• Average Cost of Living Per Person With Rent:$1,682/month
• Why It's Best for Retirees: Spectacular Mountain Peaks, High-income Economy, Excellent Law Enforcement System
• Top 5 Cities: Vienna, Graz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Linz

2 New Zealand

GPI Score: 1.313

Not only is New Zealand famous for its awe-inspiring landscape as an island country and its indigenous Maori culture, but it's also one of the safest countries to retire in 2024. Its universal healthcare system is one of the top 20 in the world and is particularly efficient for retirees who become permanent residents.

The crime rate is extremely low despite being one of the most popular tourist attractions in Oceania. New Zealand also boasts a lot of places that were made famous by movies, including the Hobbiton Movie Set, which was used as a filming location for the Shire in TheLord of the Rings.

• Average Cost of Living Per Person With Rent: $1,833/month
• Why It's Best for Retirees: Efficient Healthcare System, Spectacular Culture, Laid-Back Lifestyle
• Top 5 Cities: Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton, Palmerston North

1 Denmark

GPI Score: 1.31

A solid economy, political stability, an excellent universal healthcare system, an efficient transportation system, and a very low crime rate are among the top reasons why Denmark is one of the most livable countries in the world. It's also one of the most transparent countries, and its citizens generally don't find corruption to be a huge problem in Denmark.

Retirees will also love its temperate weather, magnificent culture, and breathtaking natural beauty.

• Average Cost of Living Per Person With Rent:$1,890/month
• Why It's Best for Retirees: Stable Economy, Top-notch Universal Healthcare System, Transparent Country
• Top 5 Cities: Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense, Aalborg, Frederiksberg