South Africa has been ranked the world’s friendliest country in a global survey conducted by financial services provider Remitly, outperforming Greece, Croatia, Mexico, and Sweden. The study surveyed more than 3,000 participants across 27 countries using the agreeableness component of the widely recognized Big Five Personality Test, which measures qualities such as kindness, empathy, and consideration for others. South Africa recorded the highest score, earning 34.63 out of 40. The study credited South Africa’s affordability, scenic coastlines, wildlife and cultural diversity—including 11 official languages—for fostering connection among locals and visitors alike. Interestingly, the research also found that most people instinctively rate their own country as the friendliest, with 57% of all respondents favoring their homeland. South Africans took this further, with a striking 97% naming their own nation the world’s friendliest. The findings reinforce South Africa’s growing appeal as both a tourism destination and an attractive place to live.
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