8 Best Countries to Live in as an Introvert
Finding the right country or city to live in can be challenging if you're an introvert. Settling down in a community of like-minded individuals is the ideal scenario, and certain places have a little too much small-town charm or big-city energy for your tastes.
For introverts who know they’d like to live in the United States, this list of the best US states for introverts can be extremely helpful. But the US isn’t the best place for all introverts.
So, this list of the best countries for introverts can help you discover where in the world is the best place for you to live.
1. Sweden
Sweden is often hailed as a great place to live with a high quality of life—and it’s also an amazing haven for introverts.
Swedish culture is very introverted in nature, and Swedish people tend to find a careful balance between being friendly but not overly outgoing. In Sweden, extroversion can be seen as obnoxious. In fact, the Swedes have a dedicated word for “forced socializing,” which has many negative connotations to it: tvångssocialisering.
So, if you want a culture where you fit right in, Sweden is the place for you. There is a high proportion of single-person properties, which is great if you want to live alone, and most people in Sweden speak English.
Like many introverts, Swedes tend to be difficult to know at first yet fiercely loyal once you’ve gained their trust. Because of this, establishing a strong network in Sweden can prove challenging—but it’s not impossible.
2. Japan
There are also a lot of English speakers in Japan. But, unlike Sweden, you’ll probably need to learn the native tongue if you’re going to live there for a long time.
But taking the time to learn Japanese will be well worth the effort. There are many great aspects of Japanese culture that introverts love, making it one of the greatest countries to live in as an introvert.
Japanese culture emphasizes not inconveniencing others. Strangers rarely approach you, and you’re unlikely to get trapped in conversation—even with a coworker. People are very respectful of others' boundaries, which means you can be surrounded by people but still live a quiet life in Japan.
Japanese hobbies are also perfect for introverts. While you can enjoy hobbies with others, many popular Japanese hobbies are easily enjoyed alone, like ikebana (flower arranging), calligraphy, and playing musical instruments.
It is also very normal to do things solo in Japan. For example, there are manga cafes with plenty of individual reading nooks and dedicated solo karaoke shops where you can sing to yourself in the privacy of an individual booth. And no one will give you a strange look if you eat out alone—it’s incredibly common!
3. Finland
Finland is also home to many introverts due to their cultural norms. Finnish people are open, warm, sincere, and authentic—and a big part of that authenticity plays into their social interactions.
Finnish people are social when they need to be. They don’t feel pressured to socialize, and they don’t feel offended when others are disinterested in socializing.
Like many introverts, Finnish people do not enjoy small talk, and when they do speak, they mean what they say. If they ask, “How are you?” they aren’t surprised by an honest answer.
Finnish people rarely chat with strangers, but their limited social interactions are usually genuine and meaningful.
Finland is not overcrowded, but it is beautiful. The air is clean, and they have a quality education system. The weather is also generally cold, which means there’s always a good reason for a night in!
4. Norway
Norway is another great country for introverts thanks to its small population and introverted culture. Norway is a part of the cultural region of Scandinavia, which includes Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland (which are all on this list of the best countries for introverts to live in).
In general, the Scandinavian countries share many cultural similarities—although that does not mean they are the same.
In Norway, it is very normal to be able to go about all of your daily routines without needing to socialize with others. People are unlikely to chat with you on your commute, and neighbors will generally only give a smile and a wave. Even your coworkers (assuming they are Norwegian) will keep to themselves.
While the introverted nature of Scandinavians has dissuaded many foreigners from living there, many introverts may find the culture shock enlightening.
5. Denmark
If you’re an introvert who prefers plenty of alone time to recharge, you’ll love living in Denmark. The Danish, like other Scandinavians, enjoy a largely introverted culture where communication is quick and efficient without unnecessary fluff.
Being loud in public and engaging with strangers is extremely unusual for the Danish. For fellow introverts, public life in Denmark is perfect. It’s remarkably quiet and modest. Even within private social circles, people are calmer and quieter compared to most other countries.
6. Iceland
Iceland is an island situated between Greenland and Norway and the chilly waters of the North Atlantic Ocean and the Norwegian Sea. Iceland is one of the most beautiful and untouched landscapes in the world, with gorgeous views all around the country.
In Iceland, you’ll find hot springs and ice caves, mountain waterfalls and sprawling meadows. Although much of the country offers the promise of solitude and quiet living, any areas well-known to tourists are crowded during summer days.
However, it is true that Iceland has a low population, low crime rates, and overall peaceful environments where introverts can recharge.
7. Poland
Compared to countries in Eastern Europe, Poland is one of the most economically developed countries, and compared to other European countries such as Germany or France, Poland is an incredibly affordable country to live in—it’s a sort of middle-ground option for people who want a nice quality of life without paying premium housing costs.
Polish people are friendly and welcoming to foreigners, which means making friends (especially as an introvert) will be much easier in Poland than in Scandinavia.
However, Poland is still a great country for introverts because their culture dislikes small talk and intrusive social interaction. The people are friendly and welcome but not pushy or rude. Generally speaking, Polish people are good listeners. They tend to be quiet and observant rather than loud or superficial.
8. Canada
Canada is a big country with plenty of options for introverts to choose from when looking for a new place to live. Cities like Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal are great choices, but there are lesser-known cities and towns, like Calgary, Edmonton, and Kingston, for introverts who prefer a quieter life in Canada.
Overall, Canada offers great medians salaries and a reasonable cost of living along with high quality internet, which makes Canada the perfect country for introverts who love being online. Fast Wi-Fi is great for WFH jobs, browsing YouTube, streaming TV, and tuning into your favorite podcasts.
Although Canadian culture overall is much less introverted than Scandinavian, Japanese, or Polish culture, Canada is still a great place for introverts. People are friendly, polite, and reserved, despite having strong opinions.