Meet David De’ Ath, founder, editor, and writer at Wonderful World English. With his extensive background as an English teacher, David provides valuable insights and practical tips on ESL for students and teachers alike.
Living in an English-speaking country can provide numerous advantages for both native speakers and non-natives.
Many of the world’s largest economies hold English as an official language, and networking in such places can provide great career advancement opportunities and the chance to be immersed in different cultures.
Typically, most Western countries rank very high on the Cost of Living Index, especially English-speaking ones like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
This can be quite off-putting for many who want to move to an English-speaking country but wish to keep the costs as low as possible.
If you’re considering a move to an English-speaking country, it’s essential to assess your budget and choose a place that is right for you. Some of the cheapest English-speaking countries suitable to live in include India, Ghana, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and South Africa.
I have traveled to many different countries, lived in different places, and have friends worldwide.
Quality of life will still differ in the countries we included, and we will go into detail about this important aspect.
Now, get your suitcases packed, and let’s explore!
Cheapest English-Speaking Countries
The cost of living varies greatly between countries, so it can be challenging to provide a comprehensive list of the cheapest English-speaking countries.
For the sake of this article, we will exclude any countries that are not deemed safe to travel according to the Most Dangerous and Safest Countries Index.
We will refer to the cost of Living Index by Country 2023 to determine the cost of living.
And we will also look at each country’s English proficiency level, referring to the EF English Proficiency Index (EPI).
These will be our three key factors when looking at the countries on the list.
We have also included the cost of 12 large eggs according to Expatistan; this is just a rough indication, and these prices will fluctuate and may not reflect the price of other goods in each country.
From lowest to highest, according to the cost of living index, the following countries are the cheapest places to live for English speakers:
1. India
Coming in the top spot as the cheapest English-speaking country to live in is India!
India has one of the lowest living costs of any country globally.
As an ex-British colony, English is the official language of India, although many poor people who do not have access to proper education still cannot speak English.
Unfortunately, India ranks relatively low on the safety index, making it not the most desirable of English-speaking countries to live in.
Despite this, it is still safer than other English-speaking countries that we decided to leave, including its neighbor Pakistan, out of this list.
India’s economy is culturally rich, growing rapidly, and has many beautiful areas.
So despite the negatives mentioned above, it could be an excellent option for anyone who sees themself living in this big country.
Now let’s look at our three critical factors for India:
Cost of Living
The cost of living in India is very low, with a score of just 22.4.
This makes India the cheapest English-speaking country to live in and doesn’t rank too low on the safety index.
12 large eggs in India costs $1.09.
Expatistan.com
Safety Index
India ranks in the middle of the pack on the Safety Index, scoring 47.
There are areas of India where crime rates are much higher than others, so it’s essential to consider this if you are thinking of moving here.
English Proficiency
India is ranked as a country with moderate English proficiency (52nd).
As mentioned above, English is an official language of India, but due to its high poverty levels, many of the poorest people in the country cannot speak it.
India may be the cheapest English-speaking country, but is it considered the best?
Click the link below to find out the best English-speaking countries to live!
Related Article: Best English-Speaking Countries to Live in (Top 12)
2. Ghana
Next on the list is the West African country of Ghana!
Ghana is known for its diverse animal life, picturesque forests, and beaches, and is one of Africa’s best economies.
English is the official language of Ghana, but it is not the most widely spoken language in the country, which is Akan.
Unfortunately, Ghana still has high poverty rates and lacks the adequate infrastructure to deal with this.
Economic prosperity and freedom to make life choices higher than many other African nations, but poverty rates and a lack of strong social support systems put Ghana behind the U.S. and Canada.
Remitly.com
Ghana could be an excellent option for anyone who would like to explore Africa while being able to converse in the English language!
Now let’s look at our key three factors for Ghana:
Cost of Living
Ghana has a very low cost of living, with a score of 26.7.
12 large eggs in Ghana costs $3.09.
Expatistan.com
Safety Index
Ghana is considered a safe country to live with a score of 73.
Ghana is one of the safest countries in Africa and indeed on this entire list!
English Proficiency
Ghana is also ranked as a country with moderate English proficiency (41st).
About a third of Ghana’s population can speak English, which is about ten million English speakers! (statista.com)
Check out the guide below to discover what other African countries have high levels of English proficiency!
Related Article: African Countries Speaking English (Top 10)
3. The Philippines
Third on the list of cheapest English-speaking countries to live in is the South-East Asian nation of the Philippines!
The Philippines is a popular destination for travelers due to its tropical beauty.
Over two hundred thousand American expats already live in the Philippines, many of whom teach English as a Second Language (ESL).
It’s not just the beach life that has over 220,000 Americans calling this little island nation their home. Foreigners stay for the country’s combination of affordable prices, friendly locals, low visa costs, and a stress-free lifestyle.
Nomadicfire.com
Due to the above reasons, many would argue that the Philippines is the best and cheapest English-speaking country.
Despite this, the Philippines still has problems with poverty and is not the most English-proficient country.
Let’s look at our three key factors for the Philippines:
Cost of Living
The Philippines has a low cost of living, scoring 34.
12 large eggs in the Philippines costs $2.21.
Expatistan.com
Safety Index
The Philippines has a Safety Index score of 47.
This means that the Philippines is unsafe in some areas, and anyone looking to move there should consider this.
English Proficiency
The Philippines is ranked with high English proficiency (22nd).
4. Malaysia
Number four on the list, bordered by number three, is another South-East Asian country, Malaysia!
Malaysia is another very popular choice among ex-pats, particularly retirees.
This is due to Malaysia’s exceptional healthcare and warm and relaxing climate.
Malaysia offers a mix of fast-paced city life and beautiful beaches, rainforests and mountains. The country is also known for its blend of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European influences, which make it a truly multicultural destination.
Internationalcitizens.com
Much like the Philippines, there is a sizable number of ESL teachers living in Malaysia, making it a popular destination for people seeking a career in teaching abroad.
Due to it being a safer country to live in than the Philippines yet still boasting the same great attributes, many would consider Malaysia as the best option on this list.
Let’s look at our three key factors for Malaysia:
Cost of Living
Malaysia has a low cost of living, with a score of 35.
12 large eggs in Malaysia costs $2.02.
Expatistan.com
Safety Index
Malaysia scores high on the Safety Index with a score of 69.
English Proficiency
Malaysia has high English proficiency (24th).
5. Vietnam
At number five, we have our final Southeast Asian country, Vietnam!
Vietnam has a fast-growing economy and cheap living costs, boasting awesome natural beauty.
It is another popular destination for ESL teachers, making up a large portion of its expat community.
Vietnam is one of the best places in Asia for expats to live abroad, and there are plenty of reasons as to why. For pennies on the dollar, you get a year-round tropical climate and access to modern comforts and conveniences.
Culturetrip.com
Despite Vietnam being an excellent option for many reasons, it is far from the best if you’re looking to move somewhere with a high English proficiency.
Vietnam does put a lot of emphasis on their students learning English at schools, but it may be some time before it becomes as proficient as some of the other countries in the area.
As we can see, there are varying levels of English proficiency within Asian countries.
If you want to learn what Asian countries can speak English, click the link below!
Related Article: What Asian Countries Speak English? – Full Guide
Now, let’s look at our three key factors for Vietnam:
Cost of Living
Vietnam has a low cost of living, with a score of 35.7.
12 large eggs in Vietnam costs $1.70.
Expatistan.com
Safety Index
Vietnam is considered a safe country to live with a high Safety Index score of 73.
English Proficiency
Vietnam is just on the cusp of having moderate to low English proficiency (60th).
6. South Africa
And the sixth and final nation on the list of cheapest English-speaking countries is South Africa!
This country is located in the south of, yeah, you guessed it, Africa! And has the highest level of English proficiency on this list.
There are many great aspects to life in South Africa, from its affordability to its outstanding natural beauty.
Unfortunately, it is not exactly one of the safest countries to live with a relatively high crime rate.
That being said, it is still one of the cheapest English-speaking countries to live in.
Yes, it’s true that life isn’t always perfect in South Africa, but that’s life generally, right? The benefits and lifestyle you’ll enjoy living in South Africa far outweigh any downsides – especially if you move to a nice area.
Pssremovals.com
Let’s look at our three key factors for South Africa:
Cost of Living
South Africa has a low cost of living, with a score of 37.8.
12 large eggs in South Africa costs $1.89.
Expatistan.com
Safety Index
South Africa scores a mid-range score on the Safety Index of 48.
English Proficiency
South Africa has a very high English proficiency (12th).
Important
It’s important to remember that while affordability is an essential factor, safety and quality of living are both vital as well.
If you are looking to move to another country, and you insist on it being one that is proficient in English, then you should do thorough research before making any big decisions.
Consider the lifestyle and customs of each culture and whether you think it would be a good fit for you as an individual.
Each country has unique charm, traditions, and cultural heritage that can significantly enhance your experience while living abroad.
As mentioned in this article, English as a Second Language (ESL) can be a great way to get out and explore while making money.
If you’re interested in starting a career in ESL, you should click the link below to find out why it can be a great career choice.
Related Article: Why Become an ESL Teacher? – Teacher’s Top Reasons
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many great, affordable English-speaking countries to live in.
Although they each differ in safety, cost of living, and English proficiency.
Pakistan is The cheapest English-speaking country, but we deem it too dangerous to include.
When choosing a new country to live in, it’s very important to research and ensure you are prepared to adapt to different cultures and lifestyles.
With proper planning and research, you can find the perfect balance between affordability, cultural enrichment, and quality of life in your chosen English-speaking country.
We hope you found this article informative and helpful in your search for an affordable and enriching international experience.
If you have any questions or would like further assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us.
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Have a wonderful day!
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