Best Countries to Raise a Family in 2026, Ranked by What Parents Actually Need

This ranking is most useful for families thinking about long-term stability rather than short-term adventure. If your priorities include safety, reliable healthcare, strong public schools, parental leave, and a pace of life that supports family time, these countries tend to perform better than most.

If you are planning a short stay, frequent moves, or prioritizing rapid career acceleration above all else, this list can still be informative, but it may not reflect the best personal fit. Daily life, not just opportunity, is what these rankings focus on.

The 2026 Family Rankings Parents Are Paying Attention To

A good salary is nice. A place that makes daily life feel less like a constant sprint is even better.

That is why the Best Countries to Raise a Family 2026 Guide from Global Citizen Solutions’ Global Intelligence Unit has been widely shared. Instead of focusing on lifestyle “vibes,” the ranking looks at practical systems that shape family life, including safety, education, healthcare, parental leave, childcare access, affordability, liveability, and how feasible it is to relocate legally with spouses and dependent children.

The real question this list helps answer is not “where is perfect,” but “where does parenting feel most supported?”

The Top Countries to Raise a Family in 2026

Below are the top-ranked countries highlighted in the Global Citizen Solutions list, along with why families consistently place them at the top.

10) Portugal

Portugal remains a popular lower-cost Western Europe option, though prices are rising in major cities.

Why it’s on this list:

• Lower cost of living compared to Northern Europe

• High safety and improving public education

• Affordable public healthcare with private options

• Family-friendly residency pathways

• Climate and lifestyle that reduce daily stress

9) Germany

Germany performs well due to structured systems designed for long-term family stability, though regional differences matter.

Why it’s on this list:

• Comprehensive healthcare through statutory insurance

• Well-established parental leave benefits

• Expanding affordable childcare

• Strong public transport networks

• Clear skilled worker and family reunification routes

8) Switzerland

Switzerland offers predictability, quality, and long-term opportunity, though cost is the main trade-off families cite.

Why it’s on this list:

• Exceptionally high safety and infrastructure quality

• Excellent healthcare under a mandatory insurance model

• Strong academic and vocational pathways

• Reliable public transportation

• Clear family reunification processes

7) New Zealand

New Zealand appeals to families looking for a slower pace of life without disconnecting from modern systems.

Why it’s on this list:

• High safety and political stability

• Public healthcare with subsidies for children

• Outdoor-oriented lifestyle

• Family-inclusive skilled migration visas

• Strong community integration

6) Canada

Canada offers predictability, stability, and strong public services, especially in family-friendly mid-sized cities.

Why it’s on this list:

• Strong education outcomes and safe communities

• Publicly funded healthcare

• Job-protected parental leave

• Family-friendly cities with lower cost pressure

• Immigration routes that include dependents

5) Norway

Norway consistently ranks high due to its combination of outdoor-centered childhoods and strong state support for families.

Why it’s on this list:

• Very generous paid parental leave

• High safety and social trust

• Universal healthcare with strong primary care

• Easy access to outdoor recreation

• Straightforward family reunification policies

4) Netherlands

The Netherlands excels at making everyday parenting easier, from school drop-offs to weekend activities, without long commutes or complex logistics.

Why it’s on this list

• Compact, bike-first cities

• Strong public schools with bilingual and international tracks

• Improved parental leave and childcare subsidies

• Excellent public transport

• Well-established skilled migration routes

3) Sweden

Sweden’s system prioritizes shared parenting and child development, making it especially appealing for families planning to settle long term.

Why it’s on this list:

• One of the most flexible parental leave systems globally

• Strong public schools and extracurricular options

• Universal healthcare with low out-of-pocket costs

• Nature integrated into daily urban life

• Established family migration policies

2) Denmark

Denmark’s reputation is built around stability and daily-life infrastructure that actually works. Work-life balance is not aspirational here. It is expected.

Why it’s on this list:

• Strong work-life balance built into workplace culture

• Long parental leave with protected time for both parents

• Bike-friendly cities that support childhood independence

• High-quality public childcare and education

• Clear family-inclusive skilled migration pathways

1) Finland

Finland ranks first thanks to its combination of safety, highly regarded schools, universal healthcare, and generous parental leave policies. It is often cited by parents who want a calmer, more predictable childhood for their kids.

Why it’s on this list:

• Exceptionally high safety and social trust

• Education system focused on curiosity, not pressure

• Generous, shareable parental leave for both parents

• Universal healthcare that is easy to navigate

• Cities designed for short commutes and daily calm

Also Included in the Broader Ranking

Italy, Iceland, Ireland, and Austria also appear in the wider Global Citizen Solutions list.

What This List Is Actually Useful For

Rankings can feel clicky, but they are also clarifying. Countries that perform well here tend to share three traits: safety, strong public systems, and policies that assume parents need time and support.

If you are building your own shortlist:

• Start with your non-negotiables like language, healthcare, and climate

• Use rankings to pressure-test assumptions

• Focus on cities, not just countries, because daily life happens locally

How the Ranking Was Built

Global Citizen Solutions’ Global Intelligence Unit combined widely used benchmarks with real-world considerations families encounter quickly, including childcare availability and language integration.

Sources and indicators include:

• Global Peace Index

• OECD PISA education data

• OECD Family Database

• WHO and OECD healthcare metrics

• EIU Global Liveability Index

• World Happiness Report

• Numbeo Cost-of-Living Comparisons


This ranking focuses on function, not fantasy. Rankings like this pair well with practical guides on moving abroad with children, international schooling, and family relocation planning.

No country eliminates the hard parts of raising children. Toddlers still wake up at 5 a.m. Teenagers still test boundaries. Groceries still need to be bought, lunches packed, emails answered.

But systems matter.

The countries that consistently rise to the top in 2026 share something simple and powerful: they assume families deserve support. They build cities where school is close, healthcare is predictable, parental leave is protected, and daily life does not feel like a constant sprint.

That does not mean one of these countries is automatically your answer. Language, community, career fit, and immigration logistics all matter. What this ranking offers is not fantasy, but a filter. A way to ask a better question.

Not “Where is perfect?” But “Where would daily life feel steadier, safer, and more supported for the long haul?” For families weighing that question quietly at the kitchen table, that shift alone can be clarifying.

Frequently Asked Questions: Best Country To Raise a Family in 2026?

What is the best country to raise a family in 2026?


According to Global Citizen Solutions’ Global Intelligence Unit, Finland ranks number one.

Why do Nordic countries dominate these rankings?


They combine safety, strong public services, parental leave, childcare support, and work-life balance norms.

Does “best” mean easy to immigrate?


No. Quality of life and immigration access are separate issues. Visa pathways still matter.

Are these rankings only for families with young children?


No. Safety, healthcare, affordability, and liveability affect families at all stages.

Are international schools necessary?


It depends on age, language, and length of stay. Many families transition over time.

Should I rely on one ranking to decide where to move?


No. Use rankings as a starting point, then validate with city-level costs and policies.