Where should remote workers go in 2025? A new global ranking of the top 100 digital nomad destinations suggests: almost anywhere but Malta.

‎

The study, which analysed over 1,300 cities worldwide, placed Bangkok in the #1 spot — citing a strong mix of affordability, infrastructure, safety, and nomad-friendly vibes. It’s joined in the top five by Dubai, London, Tokyo and Thailand’s up-and-comer Nakhon Ratchasima, which offers solo living for just $1,062 a month.

‎

Thailand emerged as the clear winner with seven cities in the top 100. Portugal, Poland, and the U.S. also performed well, with Lisbon (#11), Kraków (#32), and Austin (#72) leading for their respective countries.

‎

Despite its push to attract remote workers through specialised visa schemes, Malta didn’t make the cut. While the island offers strong weather and connectivity, its high housing costs and limited urban scale may have worked against it — though the study’s authors make no specific mention of Malta in their methodology.

‎

Meanwhile, some less-expected entries made a splash: Rijeka (Croatia), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), and Yangshuo (China) all ranked in the top 25, alongside better-known hubs like Seoul and Buenos Aires.

‎

Key highlights from the ranking include London being the most Instagrammed nomad city, with 190 million hashtags, despite its high cost of living. Lisbon stood out for its high return rate, with 24% of digital nomads choosing to go back. At the other end of the spectrum, Weligama in Sri Lanka was the cheapest destination overall, with solo living costs at just $624 per month. Meanwhile, New York City ranked #93 — largely due to its eye-watering solo cost of $7,679 per month.

‎

As remote work becomes a long-term lifestyle, these rankings highlight a shift: nomads are no longer just chasing sun and surf — they’re demanding stability, infrastructure, and value for money.

‎

For small countries like Malta, the message is subtle but clear: the digital nomad crowd is looking elsewhere — for now.

‎

‎