By Richard Mann, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Over the past few years, it has become impossible to imagine a world without digital communication, especially for globally mobile people: staying in touch with loved ones at home, mastering administrative challenges in a new country, or working remotely as a digital nomad — the digital needs of expats are incredibly diverse.
In its first Digital Life Abroad Report, InterNations, the world’s largest expat community, has identified the best and worst countries in which to live a connected life.
The results, which are based on the annual Expat Insider survey, reveal that Estonia, Finland, Norway, Denmark, and New Zealand excel at offering a digital environment.
Expats in these countries are very satisfied with their unrestricted access to online services and the possibility of paying without cash almost anywhere.
At the other end of the scale, Myanmar, China, Egypt, India, and the Philippines have been rated the worst countries for digital life.
Expats in these countries struggle with a lack of online government services, difficult access to high-speed internet at home, or even restrictions in the use of online services.
When it comes to South America, only Chile (21st) achieves a high ranking, followed by Colombia (39th) and Ecuador (40th).
Expats in Brazil (50th), Argentina (54th), and Peru (61st) seem to really struggle with digital life: they are especially unhappy with the access to high-speed internet at home and the difficulties of getting a local mobile phone number.