Dreaming of a new life abroad? 10 most desirable countries to emigrate to

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Dreaming of a new life abroad? These are the 10 most desirable countries to emigrate to (and the top spot in Europe ISN'T Spain or France... )

Daily Mail

Story by Esther Marshall

 • 1w • 2 min read

• South Korea's expat population grew by 3,896 per cent between 1990 and 2020

Dreaming of starting a new life abroad?

South Korea, it would seem, is the world’s top hot spot to do it in, with Bulgaria No.1 in Europe.

That’s according to research from the expat experts at William Russell, which produced a ranking of the 10 countries with the biggest expat population increases since 1990.

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According to the data, South Korea’s expat population soared from 43,000 in 1990 to more than 1.7million in 2020, an increase of 3,896 per cent.

Colombia saw the second-highest increase, with expat numbers jumping from just 104,000 in 1990 to 1.9million people in 2020, a surge of 1,727 per cent.

South Korea's expat population has seen the biggest increase (3,896 per cent) globally between 1990 and 2020, according to research by William Russell. Pictured above is the capital, Seoul

Colombia saw the second-highest increase, with expat numbers jumping from just 104,000 in 1990 to 1.9million people in 2020, a surge of 1,727 per cent. Pictured above is Cartagena

South America is an increasingly desirable choice for expats, with Chile in third place on the list. The country had just 104,000 foreign residents in 1990 – and 1.6million in 2020, an increase of 1,430 per cent. 

Bulgaria is fourth overall and top in Europe thanks to a leap in expat numbers from 21,000 in 1990 to 184,000 in 2020 (757 per cent). 

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Spain (5th) also saw a considerable rise in its expat population, with numbers soaring from 821,000 in 1990 to 6.8million in 2020 (732 per cent). 

Serbia (6th, 729 per cent), Malta (7th, 661 per cent), Iceland (8th, 582 per cent), Finland (9th, 510 per cent) and Turkey (10th, 420 per cent) rounded out the top 10.

Bulgaria is fourth overall and top in Europe thanks to a leap in expat numbers from 21,000 in 1990 to 184,000 in 2020 (757 per cent). Pictured above is the capital city, Sofia

FASTEST-GROWING EXPAT POPULATIONS

1. South Korea - 3,896% 

2. Colombia - 1,727%

3. Chile - 1,430% 

4. Bulgaria - 757% 

5. Spain - 732%  

6. Serbia - 729% 

7. Malta - 661% 

8. Iceland - 582% 

9. Finland - 510% 

10. Turkey - 420% 

Source: William Russell 

A William Russell spokesperson said: ‘South Korea may not have the most international migrants in the world, but when comparing its most recent figures to those of 1990, South Korea has seen a bigger change than any other, increasing by more than 3,800 per cent in the past 30 years.