Where to raise your children in 2026? The countries offering the best educational and social environment
It is often the question that decides everything else. Before the visa, before the salaries, before the cost of living — when an expat family comes to us or opens our site, the first real question is: "what about the kids?" This guide is built from measurable data, honestly compared, without idealising any system. Because every educational model is a trade-off — and the best one for your child depends on who your child is.
There is a common confusion in education debates: the one between performance and fulfilment. The country that produces the best PISA scores is not necessarily the one where children grow up best. And the country where children report being the happiest is not always the one that best prepares them for a rapidly changing labour market. This tension is at the heart of this article — and understanding it is the first step towards making an intelligent choice.
The PISA 2022 data from the OECD (published in 2023, the most recent available in 2026) compares 81 countries on the performance of 15-year-olds in mathematics, reading and science. The UNICEF Children's Well-Being Index (2020, partially updated in 2023) measures the health, social relationships, skills and risk behaviours of children aged 0 to 17. These two sources, combined with crime data, education costs and school working time, form the foundation of this analysis.
The Evaluation Framework: Eight Criteria for Assessing a Child-Friendly Environment
Assessing the quality of a country for raising children requires going beyond anecdotes and impressions. Here are the eight criteria we use in this analysis, along with their main data source and rationale.
What PISA 2022 Really Reveals — and What It Does Not
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is the global benchmark for comparing education systems. Every three years, the OECD tests approximately 700,000 fifteen-year-olds in 81 countries on mathematics, reading and science. The PISA 2022 results were published in December 2023 and are the most recent data available in 2026. Their lessons are rich — and more nuanced than raw rankings suggest.
The Estonia lesson: proof that performance and well-being are compatible
The Estonian case is perhaps the most valuable lesson from PISA 2022 for any parent thinking about their children's education. Estonia has consistently ranked in the global top 5 since 2015 — 4th in mathematics, 1st in Europe. But unlike South Korea or Singapore, it does not get there through toxic pressure and competition. Estonian students have fewer class hours than the OECD average. They have access to vast natural spaces. School anxiety rates are among the lowest in Europe. The country has built a system that promotes computational thinking (coding in primary school since 2012), intensive reading and conceptual mathematics — without the disciplinary excesses of East Asian models.
Finland's decline: end of a myth or temporary adjustment?
Finland was the global darling of PISA from 2000 to 2012. Since then, its scores have progressively declined — by more than 40 points in mathematics between 2003 and 2022. This decline has fuelled much commentary: "the Finnish model is outdated," "too much freedom hurts performance." The reality is more complex. Part of the decline is attributable to reduced personal reading time (smartphones), another to internal debate about experimental teaching methods introduced in the 2010s. In 2024, Finland initiated a partial curriculum review to reinforce structured mathematics teaching in primary schools. But its student well-being indicators remain among the highest in the world — and that is precisely what many families come to find there.
School Pressure vs. Fulfilment: the Central Dilemma
There is a documented correlation between the highest PISA scores and the highest levels of school stress — particularly in East Asia. South Korea, Singapore, Japan and China produce exceptionally high-performing and exceptionally anxious students. This is not an accident. It reflects an educational philosophy that places academic excellence as the central goal — often at a documented cost to children's psychological well-being.
The Korean model: excellence at the cost of childhood
South Korea has one of the most academically high-performing school systems in the world — and one of the most gruelling. The hagwon — private tutoring institutes that take children after school until 10 or 11pm — is a national institution. From the age of 7–8, Korean children have 12-to-14-hour study days. The pressure peaks during the suneung, the national university entrance exam, whose date and results are a national event: flights are rerouted, bakeries close, mothers pray in temples. Youth suicide rates in South Korea are among the highest in developed countries. In 2024, the Korean government announced reforms to "decompress" the system — a move launched several times since the 2000s, with little concrete result.
For an expat family: integrating a child into the Korean local school system is an intense immersion experience, potentially excellent for discipline and academic rigour, but with real risks to psychological balance if the child is not constitutionally suited to that level of pressure. Families living in Seoul overwhelmingly choose international schools — more expensive but incomparably better on work-life balance.
Safety and Social Cohesion: What School Cannot Compensate For
The quality of an environment for raising children does not come down to hours spent in the classroom. It is also measured by what happens before and after school — in the street, in public transport, in parks. A child's ability to travel independently at age 8, to play outside without constant adult supervision, to walk home from school safely — these are indicators of childhood freedom that have a proven impact on the development of autonomy and self-confidence.
Japan: the country where children walk to school alone from age 6
Japan is the extreme case — in the best sense — of public safety for children. It is perfectly common in Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto to see 6-to-7-year-olds taking the metro alone, in uniform, school bag on their back, on their way to school. Without an adult. This is a culturally normed practice — children learn autonomy through direct experience of the city. Japan's homicide rate is 0.2 per 100,000 inhabitants (compared to 6.3 in the United States, 1.1 in France). Peer violence exists but is closely managed — school bullying (ijime) is a recognised problem but actively combated by schools. For a family that values early childhood independence in an ultra-safe environment, Japan has no equal worldwide.
Iceland and the Nordic countries: safety as a natural state
Iceland is regularly ranked the safest country in the world (Global Peace Index) with a near-absence of violent crime. Finland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden have some of the lowest rates of violent crime in Europe. This structural safety has a direct effect on children's upbringing: parents grant them greater freedom of movement and exploration, which fosters the development of autonomy and resilience. Developmental psychology studies have documented since the 1980s that children's "free circulation" in public space is a positive factor in cognitive and social development — and Nordic countries have made this a deliberate cultural practice.
Education Costs: From Completely Free to a Five-Figure Annual Budget
One of the first practical questions for an expat family is the real cost of schooling their children in the destination country. The answer ranges from entirely free to an annual budget that exceeds the cost of a new car.
| Country | Local public school | International school | Typical extra costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇫🇮 Finland | Free (100%) + meals included | €5,000 – €15,000/yr | School materials provided — very low additional budget |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Free (100%) | €8,000 – €25,000/yr | Materials + extracurriculars ~€1,000–2,000/yr |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Free for residents | Few internationals — CAD 10,000–20,000/yr | Sports activities: CAD 500–2,000/yr |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | Free for residents | AUD 15,000–40,000/yr | Private local schools: AUD 8,000–30,000/yr — highly sought after |
| 🇫🇷 France | Free (100%) | €10,000–25,000/yr (Paris) | Canteen, extracurriculars: €1,500–3,500/yr |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | Free — taught in Japanese | USD 15,000–35,000/yr (Tokyo) | Clubs, uniform, activities: USD 1,000–3,000/yr |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | Paid for foreigners (~SGD 3,000/month) | SGD 20,000–45,000/yr | Intensive extracurriculars: SGD 5,000–15,000/yr |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | Free for residents | €5,000–18,000/yr | Overall low budget — best value for money in EU |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Free (100%) | €12,000–30,000/yr | Highly developed activities — cycling is part of the culture |
| 🇦🇪 UAE / Dubai | No public access for expats | AED 30,000–80,000/yr (AED 25,000 ≈ €6,000) | Total family budget for 2 children: often AED 120,000–200,000/yr |
Country-by-Country Analysis: Strengths, Limits, Recommended Profiles
🇫🇮 Finland
Finland is the world reference for nurturing education. No significant homework before age 13. No grades in the early years. 15-minute breaks every 45 minutes of teaching. Free, balanced school meals since 1948. Teachers recruited from the top 10% of graduates and paid accordingly. Immediate access to nature — forests, lakes, snow — integrated into the curriculum (outdoor education practiced regularly).
The limits are real: Finnish PISA scores have declined since their 2006 peak. The system, designed for well-being, may have sacrificed some academic rigour. The language is a significant integration barrier for non-Finnish-speaking families. The long winter (4–5 months of limited daylight) is a difficult adjustment for families from sunnier latitudes.
🇳🇱 Netherlands
The Netherlands ranked number 1 worldwide for child well-being in the UNICEF 2013 report and has maintained a top-3 position in all subsequent editions. Dutch children are, objectively and by their own account, among the happiest in the world. The pedagogical model values autonomy from a very young age, learning by experience, and risk management (cycling as a mode of transport from age 5 is emblematic). Dutch parents are renowned for not over-protecting their children — a philosophy captured in the local expression doe maar gewoon (just be yourself).
The school system channels children — as early as age 12 — into academic, technical or vocational tracks via the VMBO/HAVO/VWO system. This early streaming is more equitable than discriminatory in the Dutch context (pathways between tracks exist), but can surprise families used to more generalist systems. PISA scores are solid (top 15 in Europe). The language barrier (Dutch) is real but most Dutch people speak perfect English.
🇪🇪 Estonia
Estonia is the textbook case of what a small country can achieve when it decides to make education a national priority after a historical rupture. Since independence in 1991, Estonia has built an education system that teaches coding in primary school (the ProgeTiiger programme since 2012), promotes computational thinking, intensive reading and mathematical reasoning — without the toxic pressure of Asian models. Result: 4th worldwide in PISA 2022 maths, 1st in Europe. The most digitalised country in the world (tax returns filed online in 3 minutes, electronic voting since 2005).
The main limitation is the country's size (1.3 million inhabitants) and the Estonian language — Finno-Ugric, very difficult for English and French speakers. Integration into the local system without prior language knowledge is complex. The cost of living is among the most affordable in Western Europe — a real advantage for families. The cold and long winter (similar to Finland) should be anticipated.
🇨🇦 Canada
Canada is regularly cited by the OECD as the example of an education system that combines good academic performance, low school inequalities and student well-being. Unlike the United States, Canada does not have school districts as strongly differentiated by local wealth — funding is more equitable between schools. Canadian PISA scores are in the global top 10 (around 497 pts in maths in 2022). Bilingualism (English-French) in certain provinces (Ontario, British Columbia, New Brunswick) is a real educational added value for French-speaking families. Access to nature is exceptional in almost every province.
The main limitation is the country's size and disparities between provinces: Ontario and British Columbia are solid choices; some rural provinces face service-access challenges. University pressure is high (competitive selection for the best faculties) but reasonably balanced at primary and secondary level. The exceptional summers more than make up for the difficult winters.
🇯🇵 Japan
Japan combines two rare assets: academic scores among the highest in the world and unmatched public safety. Japanese children learn organisation, collective responsibility and perseverance (gaman) from kindergarten. The system values effort over innate talent — a profound and coherent educational message. Japanese primary schools have no cleaning staff: it is the students who clean their classrooms and corridors every day — a practice that teaches collective responsibility and pride in shared spaces.
The major limitation is pressure that rises sharply in secondary school, with preparation for high school and university entrance exams. Juku (evening cram schools) are widespread from middle school onward. For an expat family, integration into the Japanese local system is near-impossible without fluent Japanese — international schools in Tokyo, Osaka and Yokohama are excellent but expensive (USD 20,000–40,000/yr). The cultural barrier is real, but immersion — when possible — is transformative.
🇵🇹 Portugal
Portugal is the most impressive education story in the European Union over the past 15 years. In 2006, its PISA scores were below the OECD average. By 2022, they are above average in all three domains, with one of the fastest improvements documented in OECD countries. This turnaround is the result of a deep curriculum reform and teacher training overhaul launched in 2011. Public school quality ranges from decent to good depending on the school, is free for residents, and school meals are available at a moderate cost.
For expat families — particularly English-speakers — Portuguese is accessible, the climate is exceptional (Lisbon and Porto have some of the best weather in Europe), safety is very good, and the cost of living remains moderate despite rising since 2020. Nature is immediate (ocean, forests, mountains within 2 hours). This is the country that probably offers the best overall compromise for an average-budget family settling in Europe with children.
🇦🇺 Australia
Australia offers children a remarkable living environment: high safety, accessible nature (beaches, national parks, surfing, camping), a highly developed sports culture (cricket, swimming, AFL, rugby), and a generally open and relaxed social atmosphere. Australian children report some of the highest well-being rates in the developed world. Medicare covers paediatric care virtually free of charge. Public school is free for residents.
Academic quality varies by state and district. Australian PISA scores are above average (~487 pts in maths 2022) — decent but not exceptional. Australian culture values sport, sociability and direct experience more than pure academic performance — a coherent educational philosophy but one that may under-prepare the most academically ambitious students. Expat families often opt for private schools (Catholic or independent), whose quality is high but cost significant (AUD 8,000–30,000/yr).
🇫🇷 France
France has a two-faced education system. On one side: a demanding intellectual tradition, a culture of debate and critical thinking at upper secondary level, world-class grandes écoles, and a network of free services for children (school, healthcare, subsidised cultural activities) without equal. Children's healthcare coverage via the national health system is near-total. The network of conservatories, libraries, museums, and municipal sports facilities is very dense in major cities.
On the other side: some of the strongest school inequalities in the OECD depending on location. The school social position index (IPS) reveals considerable gaps between city-centre schools and those in certain suburbs or rural areas. School pressure arrives earlier than in Nordic countries (grades from primary school, homework, competition). The system is more focused on knowledge transmission than experiential learning or creativity. For a family that can choose its neighbourhood and school, France is an excellent choice. For those who cannot, the experience can be very different.
Comparative Summary Table — 10 Countries at a Glance
| Country | PISA 2022 (maths) | Child well-being | School pressure | Safety | Public school cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | 575 — #1 world | Low | Very high | Very high | Paid for expats |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 536 — #2 world | Medium | High (secondary) | Exceptional | Free — Japanese only |
| 🇪🇪 Estonia | 510 — #1 Europe | Good | Low | Very high | Free |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | 508 — top 5 EU | High | Moderate | Very high | Free |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 493 — top 10 EU | Exceptional 🏆 | Low | Very high | Free |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | 497 — top 10 world | High | Low to moderate | High | Free |
| 🇫🇮 Finland | 484 — above average | Very high | Minimal 🏆 | Very high | Free + meals |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | 487 — above average | High | Low | High | Free for residents |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | 472 — rising | Good | Low to moderate | High | Free |
| 🇫🇷 France | 474 — OECD average | Medium | Moderate to high | Variable | Free |
Which Country for Your Family Project
There is no universal answer — there are correspondences between educational values and school systems. Here is an honest synthesis by family profile.
You prioritise your child's fulfilment and happiness over academic performance
Netherlands or Finland. These two countries have the most solid evidence that their children grow up happy, confident and well-rounded. Academic performance follows — it is not sacrificed, it is built differently.
You want the highest possible academic scores and accept more pressure
Singapore or Estonia. Singapore for absolute excellence (with high pressure). Estonia for excellence with better balance. Japan as a third option if you commit to learning the language.
You are looking for the combination of nature, sport, safety and a good free public school
Canada (Ontario or BC) or Australia for English-speaking families. Switzerland or Austria for the European space with excellence and access to the Alps.
You are an English speaker on a mid-range budget looking for the best value for money in Europe
Portugal without hesitation. Accessible language, documented educational improvement, high safety, moderate cost of living, exceptional quality of life.
You have academically ambitious children aiming for top world universities
United Kingdom (A-levels), Switzerland, Canada or United States (in good school districts and private high schools if budget allows). Cultural proximity and international recognition of secondary qualifications matters as much as the intrinsic quality of the system.
FAQ — Raising Children Abroad in 2026
Which country has the best education system for children in 2026?
According to PISA 2022, Singapore dominates in pure academic performance, followed by Japan and Estonia (highest score in Europe). But when child well-being, low school pressure and freedom to develop are factored in, the Netherlands and Finland offer the best overall environment. There is no universal "best country" — it all depends on the family's educational values.
In which countries is education free for expat children?
Public school is free for children of residents in virtually all developed European countries (Finland, Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, France, Portugal, Spain), as well as Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Expat families often opt for international schools (€3,000–45,000/year) for linguistic and curriculum continuity — this is a choice, not a necessity, in most of these countries.
Which country puts the least academic pressure on children?
Finland is the world reference: no significant homework before age 13, no grades in primary school in many schools, mandatory breaks every 45 minutes. Netherlands, Sweden and Denmark have similar approaches. In contrast, South Korea, Singapore and Japan (secondary) are known for very high academic pressure, with some Korean students studying 50 to 70 hours per week.
Which is the safest country to raise children?
Iceland (ranked the safest country in the world by the Global Peace Index), Japan (homicide rate 0.2/100,000 — children travel alone from age 6), Finland, Norway and New Zealand combine extremely low rates of violent crime with public spaces where children can move around independently. These countries offer the most secure framework for childhood freedom available.
Is Australia a good country to raise children?
Australia offers free public school, near-free healthcare, and a remarkable quality of natural and social life. Its weaknesses are variable school quality by state and district, and PISA scores that are above average but not exceptional. Private schools are high-quality but costly. For families who can choose their location, it is a very solid option — particularly for those who prioritise well-being, sport and outdoor lifestyle over academic rankings.
Is it better to enrol children in a local or international school abroad?
Both have their advantages. Local school promotes genuine linguistic and cultural immersion, which is irreplaceable for a child's development and integration into the host country — and is generally free. International school ensures curriculum continuity (IB, IGCSE, or national programmes), facilitates return to the home country, and avoids the linguistic integration shock. The choice depends on the expected length of the posting (short term → international, long term → local with language support), the child's age, and their capacity for adaptation.