The cheapest countries to raise a child often feature low living costs, affordable housing, and strong social support, with places like Oman, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Latvia, and Bulgaria frequently cited for overall affordability, while countries like India, Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam offer budget-friendly options, especially in English-speaking contexts, though factors like education quality and childcare costs vary significantly.
Bottom line: the absolute cheapest countries tend to be in South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal) and parts of Southeast Asia and Latin America (Vietnam, Cambodia, Bolivia, Nicaragua). Choose the best fit by balancing price against safety, services and legal/residency factors.
According to the Global Peace Index and Legatum Prosperity Index, Iceland, Portugal, Denmark, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Canada consistently rank among the safest countries in terms of safety, offering peace of mind for raising children.
Best Affordable States To Raise a Family
The most affordable countries among the safest in the world are Latvia, Chile, Costa Rica, Slovakia, and Lithuania. The cost of living in these states varies from $1,000 to $1,100 per month.
10 of the cheapest and safest places to live in the world
New Zealand ranks as the third most peaceful country globally. This marks an increase from its fifth-place ranking in 2024. The GPI assesses 163 nations based on factors like societal safety and security, ongoing conflicts, and militarization.
Is New Zealand the right choice for my children? New Zealand is an incredible place to raise a family. According to the World Happiness Report 2018, which ranks 156 countries by their happiness levels, New Zealand is the 8th happiest country in the world.
According to a new UNICEF report, the Netherlands, Denmark, and France top the list for overall child well-being, while countries like the U.S. didn't even make the cut.
Dutch kids are the happiest kids in the world, according to a 2025 UNICEF report.
Most Affordable Places to Live in the U.S. in 2025-2026
What are the cheapest English-speaking countries to live in? India, Ghana, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and South Africa are among the most affordable options.
The "3-3-3 Rule" for kids is a simple mindfulness technique to manage anxiety by grounding them in the present moment: first, name three things they can see; next, identify three sounds they hear; and finally, move three different parts of their body. This engages their senses, shifts focus from worries, and helps them regain control when feeling overwhelmed, like during test anxiety or social situations.
Ages 12 to 14 are the hardest for kids to move. Kids this age face a "double stress" of starting over while dealing with big body and brain changes. Research shows teens who move at 14 have twice the risk of serious problems later in life.
Top 10 Best Countries To Raise A Family
Yes, NZ$70,000 is considered an average to decent salary in New Zealand, hitting the national average but falling short of "comfortable" in expensive cities like Auckland, especially for families; for a single person, it's generally enough to cover basic living costs and some savings, but luxuries like frequent dining out or big travel might be tight, especially in major cities.
Yes, roughly 80% (or around 78%) of New Zealand's land is considered uninhabited, not because it's truly barren, but due to challenging terrain like mountains, vast protected areas (National Parks), and large expanses of farmland managed by few people, causing most of the population to cluster along the coasts and in major cities like Auckland.
92-day rule
You do not have to apply for a certificate of exemption from withholding tax if you come from a country that has a DTA with New Zealand and you're eligible for total New Zealand tax relief under that agreement. You must also be present in New Zealand for a total of 92 or fewer days in any 12-month period.
New Zealand (NZ) is frequently ranked #1 globally for Work-Life Balance, praised for its generous leave, healthcare, safety, and happiness, and consistently ranks high in Ease of Doing Business (often #1 for starting a business), Global Peace (3rd in 2025), and Freedom/Civil Liberties, making it a top contender for overall quality of life, tourism, and as a place to live.
Japan is ranked 9th in the world for the safest county to travel, with No. 1 in safety from crime and transportation safety
Level 4: Do Not Travel