Best Countries for Americans by Infrastructure (2026)

Frequently asked questions

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  What does "Infrastructure" measure in the 2026 Expat Almanac?

  Infrastructure blends two hard-data sources: the World Bank Logistics Performance Index (roads, ports, customs, shipping reliability) and the Ookla global broadband panel (median fixed-line speed by country). It captures whether the day-to-day machinery of a modern life works. It does not capture housing quality or utility reliability at the neighborhood level, which vary too much for a national score.

• Which countries have the best infrastructure for American expats?

  Germany, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, the UAE, and the United States lead the Infrastructure column. Portugal, Spain, and Italy score a strong 4. Central Europe (Czechia, Hungary, Poland) has upgraded infrastructure meaningfully over the past decade and now sits at 4.

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  Where do American digital nomads find the best broadband?

  Singapore, South Korea, the UAE, Switzerland, and the Nordic countries lead for median download speed. Portugal, Spain, and Malta all offer functional gigabit connections in major cities and have become popular remote-work destinations for that reason. Bali and Chiang Mai are the highest-scoring Southeast Asian nomad hubs despite national infrastructure scores being lower.

• How does US infrastructure compare to top-ranked countries?

  The US scores 4 on Infrastructure in the Expat Almanac (top decile globally, second decile of high-income countries). Broadband varies enormously by state and by rural-vs-urban divide. Logistics ranks similarly. Americans moving to Germany, the Netherlands, or Singapore typically notice an upgrade in transit, customs, and reliability of public services. Americans moving to most of Latin America notice a downgrade outside the capital.

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  Which Latin American countries have the best infrastructure?

  Chile, Uruguay, Panama, and Costa Rica score highest in the region. Panama City has some of the best broadband and airport connectivity in the Americas thanks to its status as a regional financial hub. Uruguay's Montevideo is small but works well by developed-world standards. Chile is regionally the most consistent across sectors.

• Does infrastructure quality matter for Americans not working remotely?

  Yes, though less dramatically. If you are a retiree, you probably care about hospital access, road quality, and reliability of utilities more than broadband speed. If you are relocating with school-age children, you care about the whole envelope. The Infrastructure column captures the composite view; the country page walks through the specific factors that matter for your situation.