Top 17 Countries in the World with the Nicest People on Earth (2025)

When we talk about other countries, we are usually interested in the physical features that they harbor; game parks, mountains, lakes etc.

This is brought about by the fact that the commonest thing that people engage with in countries that are not their own is tourism. There are however, other instances that call for more e.g. when resettling or relocating for work.

In these cases, one has to ask questions like food, security, and the culture of people too. In this article, we will explore the last of the three things paying particular attention to countries in the world that have most receptive and warm peoples.

To get these answers, I have looked at publications made by different researchers as well as tracking firsthand stories of serial travelers. You can thus trust that the information shared is well placed.

In terms of the traits that determine ‘nice’ for purposes of this post, they include among others, open-mindedness, agreeableness, and welcoming.

 

Top 10 friendliest countries in the world

• Indonesia

• South Africa

• Australia

• Canada

• Greece

• United Kingdom

• Turkey

• Iran

• Pakistan

• Taiwan

• Croatia

• Sweden

• Philippines

• Japan

• Germany

• Laos

• Portugal

 

Indonesia

This Asian country tops the list for a reason. To begin with, their culture is very heartwarming. People wear smiles on the street and if you reach out for any sort of interaction or ask for help, they will gladly indulge you. If anything, they are more likely to initiate a conversation to begin with.

Moreover, you are more likely to find an English speaker than in other parts but even if it gets hard as may in some areas, the locals will certainly not mind to take pics or laugh with you.

This broader picture then extends to their hospitality business only being ever more present since the professionals are trained.

 

South Africa

SA is located at the southernmost end of Africa a location that makes it occupy the coastline. Her people are fun to be around not least because of the incredible diversity that the country inhabits. Nine official languages are spoken over there for example (including English).

South Africans have an endearing sense of humor and their politeness knows no bounds. And, if you belong to any of the minority groups that are often persecuted in other parts of the world, you should take the country as one of your priority ones. Because of her history, SA has gone on to pass laws that are very protective of these individuals.

They were the first anywhere in the world for instance, to pass a Constitution that explicitly stipulates the right to exercise sexual freedom.

 

Australia

The beauty of Australian hearts trickles down all the way into stuff that is seemingly subtle but revealing of the bigger picture and one of these, is the fact that a common greeting is ‘mate’ which is applied to both strangers and acquaintances in equal measure.

Experts from Deakin University have suggested that the country’s friendliness owes in part to the fact that traditionally, it has played the role of cushion for the people of the west i.e. people move there when they have decided that they have had enough of the buzzing that capitalism comes with.

 

Canada

Like Australia, the inhabitants of this North American country are not the way they are by accident but rather a byproduct of their circumstances. Canadians have for example, witnessed very little war in their history and so they retain a degree of trust in humanity that many traditions have lost given their darker past. Moreover, it has also been suggested that given how cold Canada can get during some months of the year, commune grew to become an essential aspect of life. The alternative was for people to freeze to death without anyone noticing.

It is no surprising then that the general attitude of the government in Canada is reflective of this as well. immigration.ca hence, consistently ranks the country very highly on the Migrant Acceptance Index.

 

Greece

This small country of a very towering history has its roots up to today firmly dipped into the ancient times including relations with people. Curiosity for example, which philosophers like Aristotle espoused, still to date drives the Greek of present day to want to start a conversation with strangers. Then there is ‘Philoxenia’ a spirit that loosely translates into hospitality which is considered to be an emblem of Zeus, the God of gods and in this case, protector of strangers.

You are even more likely to benefit from these virtues if your travel to the country is calculated to coincide with the New Year. Among other things, you will likely be invited for a ‘Spitiko’ (home-cooked meal).

 

United Kingdom

If you are in the UK, you can very well skip this but for those that are not, you might be surprised what you will find. The citizens of these countries are polite, eager to help where possible, and easy going. These attributes vary from country to country though with Northern Ireland topping this list. In one form or another however, the Scottish, English, and the Welsh have some semblance of these attributes since they live in not so different localities.

These virtues are further aided by the monarchy which is an institution that represents tradition and harmony.

 

Turkey

Being that it lies at the intersection of Europe and Asia; two of the most prosperous continents, Turkey has naturally become a destination for people. For this, it has overtime developed infrastructure, passed tourist friendly policies, but so has its culture bent to accommodate this reality.

Some of the most welcoming locations are the East, the Anatolian interior, and the Northern parts. True you might find issues with communication after Istanbul, but the grace with which you will be welcomed trumps it all. A good example is being treated to the best of the country’s cuisines for free e.g. the different teas.

 

Iran

I know what you are thinking already. “The Islamic Republic, seriously?” Yes, seriously. While the things that you will have seen on the news are true, it majorly portrays the regime and not the people. If at all, the citizens are disgruntled with their government as much as you could hope them to be. And these are the folks you will meet when you travel over there.

The locals will be glad to have you and will go as far as show you around. The irony is that you might be taken to view mosques and madrassas during the day only to be hosted at a party in the night where you get to dance and drink some alcohol.

 

Pakistan

Pakistan too has got some legitimately bad press over the years with tourists going there being kidnapped for instance a reality that is not quickly going away now that the Taliban rule in neighboring Afghanistan. Important to note however, is that this list is not about the safest places in the world but rather the most hospitable ones which is why we are talking about the country.

Tourists to Pakistan have reported occasions like being gifted with things that people are wearing or even pinned on their walls at home as well as residents voluntarily offering to help when they see someone stranded.

This state of events is influenced both by the fact that Pakistan culture is welcoming but also because the country does not receive many visitors from the west so locals know the extent of risks that one will have taken before making it there.

 

Taiwan

The country is another place that I would recommend you to checkout. I specifically encourage it if you are an outgoing person who has been to most of the western high lifestyle cities (the likes of Vegas and Los Angeles) and now wish to have some change.

Taiwan is the perfect mix of Asian culture and modern western living. The people there are not shy at all, they are engaging, and lovely.

With this country, you get the added advantages of English being spoken in most parts as well as democratic safeguards so you don’t have to fear that someone might whisk you away and ask a ransom.

 

Croatia

The Croats are such good people to interact with that their government has capitalized on the factor to turn tourism into a bedrock of the country’s economy. Some of the common traits of the Croatian culture are politeness, generosity, and sociability all of which will leave a lasting impression on those that meet with them.

It is also commonly known that citizens here are good at striking very long and interesting conversations. Whether it is this fact that has inspired a widespread café business which has in its own gone on to be another attraction or not, it remains a key admiration for new people there.

 

Sweden

At times, the Swedish are confused as reserved and therefore being a turnoff for someone that is new. The truth is more nuanced than this though as their culture is one that greatly respects privacy so they do not want to be intrusive.

When you get to be around them some more however, you eventually get to the point where they welcome you in and from there on, you will see how warm and friendly they can be. They are also a very honest peoples which is helpful when you are getting to know a place. Rather than have someone pretend, it helps if they are straight with you so you can change your ways if there is need.

 

The Philippines

The Philippines is another country that will come easy for westerners to travel. The people there are extremely welcoming. This combined with the fact that there are several cultural experiences for you to try out means that going there will allow you an opportunity to explore traditions whose peoples are not selfish to only want them for themselves. The Filipinos are genuine people too so you will be in luck if you manage to get some friends.

An added advantage to trying this nation is that English is widely spoken as well as the fact that it is composed of many islands so there is plenty of water for you to do all the watery things.

 

Japan

Japan is made up of such a well-mannered populace. Add to this the fact that they are a culture that deeply respects humanity and you have yourself a destination that is as good as it can get.

The only thing for you to realize while in the country, is that Japanese expression of concepts is not always the same as that in the west. In order for someone to help you for example, you will need to ask that they do since involving oneself in another’s business without permission is considered to be rude. The culture is minimalist on being wild and loud too.

 

Other Countries With the nicest people in the world

1. Germany
2. Loas
3. Portugal