Expats Vote Tallinn the Best City for Digital Life
Tallinn ranks 11th out of 50 cities in the Expat City Ranking 2022, even coming fourth in the Expat Essentials Index. It is voted the best city worldwide in the Digital Life Subcategory (1st). Expats are very satisfied with the availability of government services online (90% happy vs. 61% globally) and the unrestricted access to online services (100% vs. 82% globally). More than four in five (82%) also find it easy to deal with local bureaucracy, more than twice the global average (40%), and 80% had no problem getting a visa in order to move there (vs. 56% globally). Therefore, Tallinn lands in an excellent second place in the Admin Topics Subcategory, only beaten by Dubai (1st).
The Working Abroad Index (16th) is another highlight for Tallinn, particularly when it comes to the Work Culture & Satisfaction Subcategory (3rd). Expats agree that the local business culture encourages creativity (83% happy vs. 51% globally), promotes independent work (81% vs. 45% globally), and supports flexibility (92% vs. 60% globally). While expats are also happy with their working hours (76% happy vs. 63% globally), 29% say that moving to Tallinn has not improved their career prospects (vs. 18% globally).
Tallinn ranks midfield in both the Personal Finance (20th) and the Quality of Life (22nd) Indices; however, the latter features both highs and lows: expats rank the city first for the affordability of public transportation (98% happy vs. 70% globally), and 92% are also happy with its availability (vs. 73% globally). “I like the easy transport and clean environment,” shares an expat from India. In fact, expats generally appreciate the great air quality (4th) and the urban environment (5th). The great environment might help a bit with Tallinn’s ranking for recreational sports (24th), but on the other hand, about one in five (19%) are unhappy with the culinary variety and dining options (vs. 12% globally). Overall, the city lands in a low 41st place in the Leisure Options Subcategory.
The Ease of Settling In Index (33rd) is Tallinn’s weak point. This is mainly due to the Local Friendliness Subcategory (38th): 23% of expats perceive the local population as unfriendly towards foreign residents (vs. 18% globally), and more than half (52%) find it hard to make friends with them (vs. 37% globally). In the end, 35% are unhappy with their social life in Tallinn, compared to 26% globally.
