South Africa: The Friendliest Nation in the World According a Study
When moving to a new country or visiting a place for the first time, the friendliness of the locals can significantly shape your experience. Feeling welcomed and at ease in a new environment is crucial for settling in, especially when you’re far from home.
The Study
To identify the world’s friendliest nations, we conducted a study involving over 3,000 participants from around the globe. We used the ‘agreeableness’ section of the Big 5 Personality Test, which measures traits like generosity, helpfulness, and a willingness to compromise for others. Participants responded to statements about their concern for others, willingness to help, and efforts to make others comfortable. Scores ranged from 1 to 40, with higher scores indicating greater friendliness.
Key Findings
South Africa emerged as the world’s friendliest nation, scoring an impressive 34.63 out of 40 on the agreeableness scale. This high score reflects the warm, welcoming nature of South Africans, who are known for their politeness and sociability. Visitors and new residents often find it easy to integrate into the local community, thanks to the friendly and inclusive attitude of the locals.
South Africa: A Closer Look
Located at the southern tip of Africa, South Africa boasts a diverse landscape and a rich cultural heritage. The country is known for its stunning natural beauty, ranging from long coastlines to abundant wildlife. Moreover, the cost of living in South Africa is relatively low, allowing for a higher standard of living.
In South Africa, it’s common to be greeted by friendly strangers on the street. The country’s eleven official languages, including English and Afrikaans, make communication accessible for newcomers. South Africans are generally eager to engage in conversations, share jokes, and help others feel at home.
Other Friendly Nations
- Greece: Scoring 33.71, Greece is known for its ‘philoxenia’—hospitality and generosity towards strangers. Greeks are sociable and often invite new friends into their homes for meals.
- Croatia: With a score of 33.5, Croatia is famous for its vibrant cafe culture. Croats are polite, welcoming, and happy to engage in long conversations with visitors.
- Mexico: Scoring 33.47, Mexicans are known for their strong sense of community and willingness to share their culture with others. Celebrations like the Day of the Dead highlight their inclusive nature.
- Sweden: With a score of 33.30, Swedes value honesty and equality. They may seem reserved at first, but once you get to know them, they are friendly and fun.
Methodology
Remitly did a case study, using Prolific we tested participants from 27 countries on the agreeableness trait of the Big 5 Personality Test. Each participant’s responses gave them a score between 1 and 40. The higher the score, the more ‘agreeable’ and friendly the individual. We averaged the scores for each country to determine their overall friendliness.
The Ranking according to the Results of the Study
The World's Friendliest Nations: A Study on Agreeableness
1. South Africa
South Africa tops our list of the world’s friendliest nations, scoring the highest on the Big 5 Personality Test’s ‘agreeableness’ trait with an impressive 34.63 out of 40.
Situated at the southernmost point of Africa between two oceans, South Africa is a beautiful and diverse country, offering plenty of compelling reasons to move there. One of the major advantages of living in the country is the affordable cost of living, where the South African rand stretches far, allowing for a higher standard of living with housing and everyday expenses. The country also boasts an incredible array of wildlife and a warm climate that encourages residents to enjoy and explore its long stretches of beautiful coastline. Residents of South Africa are known for being warm and welcoming, making it easy for travelers and visitors alike to feel at ease. Polite strangers commonly greet you while walking down the street, and South Africans are generally happy to socialize, engaging in conversations and showcasing their good humor with plenty of jokes. An added plus is that there are eleven official languages spoken in South Africa (English, Afrikaans, and nine ethnic languages), providing numerous ways to communicate with locals and make new friends.
2. Greece
The Greeks rank second, scoring 33.71. Often seen as a curious nation, they are more than happy to strike up a conversation with strangers, hoping to build new friendships and relationships. Socializing is a big deal for Greeks, and they love to host friends, both old and new, especially at Greek New Year.This hospitality stems from the longstanding Greek value of ‘philoxenia,’ which literally translates to ‘hospitality’ and means ‘friend of a stranger’ in Ancient Greek. Its origins date back to the Greek god Zeus, seen as the protector of strangers and travelers. This value is still alive in modern Greece, where a deeply embedded generosity of spirit prevails. Greeks often invite new friends into their homes for a spitiko (home-cooked) meal or offer visitors a tour of their town, enriching their knowledge with tales of history and mythology.
3. Croatia
Croatia follows closely behind in third place, scoring 33.5 out of 40. Tourism is crucial to the local economy, and many visitors find Croats to be polite and welcoming, wanting to leave a lasting positive impression. Croats are known for being friendly and generous with their time, happily engaging in long conversations with friends or strangers, catching up or getting to know new people. Croatia has a vibrant café culture, an excellent way to alleviate feelings of loneliness and make new friends. Newcomers will find locals eager to recommend the best places to visit and those to avoid.
4. Mexico
In fourth place are the Mexicans, known for their strong sense of community and happiness, which is evident in how they interact with strangers. Large family groups traditionally eat together on weekends, and this high level of social bonding is reflected in how Mexicans treat tourists and immigrants.Mexicans are always happy to share their culture with visitors, proud of their heritage and traditions, making visitors feel welcome to join many celebrations. For instance, during the early November Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos), visitors are encouraged to participate in this significant cultural event. The reputation of Mexicans as a friendly nation is confirmed by their score of 33.47 out of 40.
5. Sweden
Sweden rounds off the top five, scoring 33.30 for agreeability. While they may initially seem reserved, Swedes are incredibly welcoming, valuing honesty and equality. It may take time to get to know them as they respect privacy and personal space, but once you do, they are fun and friendly, making them perfect candidates for long-term friendships.A Swedish proverb, ‘Finns det hjärterum så finns det stjärterum,’ translates to ‘if there is room for the heart, there is room for the tail,’ meaning that where there’s friendship, there’s always space for one more. This proverb encapsulates how open Swedes are to forging new friendships.
6. Australia
Australia ranks sixth, with an average agreeableness score of 33.13. Australians are known for being incredibly friendly and laid-back, greeting neighbors and strangers alike with ‘mate.’Historical reasons also contribute to this friendly culture. Dr. Tanya King, a senior lecturer in anthropology from Victoria’s Deakin University, explains that many people moved to Australia for a fresh start, escaping the stratified class systems in the UK and other parts of the world. This desire for a new beginning has fostered a culture of friendliness, supported by our data showing high scores in empathy, openness, and friendliness among Australians.
7. Canada
Canada is a popular relocation destination, and the friendliness of its locals is a key reason. Canadians scored an average of 32.84 out of 40. One explanation for their cheerful and helpful demeanor could be the harsh weather conditions; in a vast, cold country like Canada, mutual assistance is crucial for survival.
8. Germany
Germany ranks eighth with a score of 32.66 out of 40. While Germans may not have a reputation for being overly warm, they surpass their neighbors Belgium, France, and the Netherlands in friendliness. Small talk may not be as common in German culture as in other European countries, but locals are extremely welcoming to visitors and new residents alike.
9. Estonia
Estonians rank ninth, scoring an average of 32.58 out of 40. They are known for their hospitality and politeness but also value personal space and privacy, which might make them seem reserved or introverted to outsiders. However, Estonians love to chat, so don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation.
10. Belgium
Rounding off the top ten, Belgium scored an average agreeableness score of 32.5 out of 40. Known for its delicious chocolate, beer, and beautiful architecture, Belgium is a popular relocation destination in Europe, and its friendly locals make the move even smoother.
Elsewhere on the list, the US, known for its outstanding hospitality, ranks below Italy and Japan in 15th place. The UK, whose inhabitants are often seen as reserved and overly polite, sneaks into the top 20 in 18th place.
Conclusion
South Africa’s top ranking as the friendliest nation in the world highlights the country’s welcoming nature and strong community spirit. Whether you’re visiting or moving to South Africa, you’re likely to find a warm and hospitable environment that makes you feel right at home. Immersing yourself in the local culture and community is the best way to build new friendships and create a fulfilling experience in your new surroundings.
Credits for the Study: Remitly
