Remitly, a digital financial service company, has recently published a new report identifying the world's friendliest countries. The study aimed to uncover which nations exhibit a greater welcoming disposition towards visitors and new arrivals, providing valuable insights for travelers and individuals considering relocation.

To conduct their research, Remitly employed the program Prolific to survey 3,000 participants across 27 different countries. The core of the study involved testing participants on the "agreeableness" trait, a component of the widely recognized Big 5 Personality Test. Each participant was asked a series of questions designed to measure their agreeableness, resulting in a score ranging from one to 30. As explained by Remitly, individuals who score highly on agreeableness typically demonstrate more prosocial behaviors, strong empathy, and a significant consideration for the well-being of others.

After gathering the data, Remitly calculated the average agreeableness score for participants from each country to determine a national "friendliness" score. The results positioned South Africa as the friendliest country globally, achieving a normalized score of 34.63 out of a possible 40. The report highlighted South Africans' reputation for being warm and welcoming, often engaging in conversations, socializing, and humor, which helps visitors and new arrivals feel at ease. This affable nature, combined with the country's diverse landscapes and affordable cost of living, makes South Africa an attractive destination for both travel and relocation.

Following closely, Greece secured the second position with a score of 33.71 out of 40, earning it the title of the friendliest country in Europe. Croatia came in third, scoring 33.5. Mexico claimed the fourth spot, making it the friendliest nation in North America, while Sweden rounded out the top five. Notably, global superpowers like the United Kingdom and the United States fared less prominently in the friendliness rankings, placing 18th and 15th respectively, behind many of their European and North American counterparts.

Ollie Cassel, head of growth marketing at Remitly, emphasized the critical importance of friendliness, particularly for those moving to or traveling in new countries where feelings of nervousness or loneliness can arise. He stated that the warmth and conviviality extended by strangers can significantly impact a person's sense of welcome and settlement, thereby enhancing their overall experience. However, Cassel also advised that regardless of a country's ranking, immersing oneself in local communities, cultures, and customs is crucial for creating a new "home away from home." For those interested in the complete rankings, the full listings are available on remitly.com.