Nearly two-fifths of Generation Z and Millennials in the UK planned to live or work abroad last year, with Denmark emerging as the most popular destination for younger expats. The Scandinavian country scored 7.88 out of ten based on factors including affordability, healthcare, broadband speed and other quality-of-life indicators, according to research by international health insurance specialists William Russell.
Denmark, an archipelago of 444 named islands of which around 70 are inhabited, offers a high-income economy and significantly faster internet than the UK average. Its employment policies include the so-called 11th hour rule, which guarantees every employee a minimum of 11 hours of rest within any 24-hour period, contributing to a high standard of living for residents. The country is also connected to Sweden by the Öresund Bridge, the second longest bridge in Europe.
Beyond practicalities, Denmark is known for its natural beauty, including untouched dunes, twisted forests, traditional seaside villages, the white cliffs of Møn, and Jaegersborg Deer Park, home to around 2,000 deer. Its capital, Copenhagen, has been described as 'Northern Europe's cosiest capital', blending modern architecture, culture, sustainable living and royal history, with a wealth of cafes, shops and restaurants.
The Netherlands ranked second among the best destinations for young British expats, while Iceland was rated the safest location with a Global Peace Index score of 1.1. The Netherlands also performed strongly on healthcare, achieving one of the highest scores in the dataset. The top ten relocation hotspots were predominantly European, with Canada the only non-European country to feature.
