Philippines among world’s top retirement destinations

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines ranked 19th among 24 countries named as best retirement havens, according to the 2017 Global Retirement Index Report released in January.

International Living, an expert on global retirement and relocation opportunities, examined 24 countries based on their attractiveness to pensioners on a range of lifestyle categories.

These categories include housing cost, welfare system, cost of living, ease of “fitting in,” entertainment, health and medical systems, infrastructure and climate, as well as ease of securing an immigration visa and permanent residency.

The Philippines obtained a score of 78.2 with the highest on ease of “fitting in,” 95; followed by entertainment and amenities, 90; healthcare, 89; cost of living, 85; infrastructure, 84; healthy lifestyle, 73; benefits and discounts, 72; climate, 70; visas and residence, 64, and buying and renting, 60. 

Among countries in Southeast Asia, Malaysia made it to the top 10, placing sixth.

 Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam ranked 12th, 17th and 24th, respectively.

The top three best countries to retire are Mexico, Panama and Ecuador.

Mexico obtained more than 90 index points and scored high in most categories. 

A number of Latin American countries also made it to the list, although some are “poorly perceived in terms of security and public order.”

These are Costa Rica, 4th; Colombia, 5th; Nicaragua 8th; Honduras, 11th, Peru and Belize, 14th; Bolivia, 18th and Dominican Republic, 20th. 

In Europe, Spain ranked 7th; Portugal 9th; Malta, 10th, Italy, 13th and France 16th. 

The report said most of these countries have an established pension and medical system, mild climate, pleasant and natural environment and the prices of commodities are low.