Data Analysis
FIRE Number by Country
How much does a person really need to retire early? It varies dramatically around the world. Explore FIRE numbers for countries on every continent.
Analysis at a Glance
Data Source World Bank Price Level Ratio
Data Year 2024
Baseline $60,000 annual expenses (U.S. baseline)
Method Price Level Index adjusts expenses; 4% withdrawal rate
Sample Size 181 countries
Considerations
- Data extrapolated from ICP 2021 benchmark - actual costs may vary
- Does not include visa, tax, or healthcare system differences
- Some low-cost countries may be experiencing instability or conflict
Key Findings
Based on 181 countries worldwide, here's what the data reveals about global FIRE numbers. These calculations use the 4% safe withdrawal rate and World Bank International Comparison Program data.
$636K
Global Median FIRE Number Half of all countries require more, half require less. Based on US $60K baseline adjusted for local costs. $179K
Lowest: Nigeria Cost of living is 12% of US average - goods and services cost 88% less here. $1.66M
Highest: Switzerland Cost of living is 111% of US average - expect to pay 10% more. 9.3x
Cost Difference The most expensive country requires $1.48M more than the cheapest - that's decades of extra saving. $522K
Cheapest Continent: Africa Average across 52 countries. Lower costs make this region popular for expat FIRE. $1.17M
Priciest Continent: Oceania Average across 11 countries. High costs in developed economies drive the average up. 177
Countries Cheaper Than US 98% of countries have lower living costs than the United States - many are popular expat destinations. $1.07M
Geo-Arbitrage Potential Moving from the US to Vietnam could reduce the FIRE target by this amount. Complete Data Table
Search, filter, and sort to find FIRE numbers for any country. Download data for your own analysis.
| # | Country | FIRE Number | Annual Expenses | Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nigeria | $178,975 | $7,159/yr | 12 |
| 2 | Egypt | $262,275 | $10,491/yr | 17 |
| 3 | Burundi | $275,450 | $11,018/yr | 18 |
| 4 | Laos | $325,900 | $13,036/yr | 22 |
| 5 | Myanmar | $339,900 | $13,596/yr | 23 |
| 6 | Sierra Leone | $343,525 | $13,741/yr | 23 |
| 7 | Pakistan | $354,775 | $14,191/yr | 24 |
| 8 | India | $362,200 | $14,488/yr | 24 |
| 9 | Tajikistan | $372,150 | $14,886/yr | 25 |
| 10 | Gambia | $376,050 | $15,042/yr | 25 |
| 11 | Belarus | $377,950 | $15,118/yr | 25 |
| 12 | Nepal | $378,450 | $15,138/yr | 25 |
| 13 | Iran | $391,725 | $15,669/yr | 26 |
| 14 | Angola | $395,200 | $15,808/yr | 26 |
| 15 | Uzbekistan | $399,250 | $15,970/yr | 27 |
| 16 | Bangladesh | $403,250 | $16,130/yr | 27 |
| 17 | Rwanda | $404,075 | $16,163/yr | 27 |
| 18 | Tanzania | $421,750 | $16,870/yr | 28 |
| 19 | Malawi | $421,975 | $16,879/yr | 28 |
| 20 | Zambia | $422,475 | $16,899/yr | 28 |
| 21 | Mauritania | $429,550 | $17,182/yr | 29 |
| 22 | Vietnam | $431,850 | $17,274/yr | 29 |
| 23 | Tunisia | $431,900 | $17,276/yr | 29 |
| 24 | Sri Lanka | $433,275 | $17,331/yr | 29 |
| 25 | Madagascar | $434,025 | $17,361/yr | 29 |
| 26 | Azerbaijan | $435,475 | $17,419/yr | 29 |
| 27 | Ukraine | $435,800 | $17,432/yr | 29 |
| 28 | Thailand | $445,925 | $17,837/yr | 30 |
| 29 | Ghana | $447,150 | $17,886/yr | 30 |
| 30 | Indonesia | $449,175 | $17,967/yr | 30 |
| 31 | Timor-Leste | $451,750 | $18,070/yr | 30 |
| 32 | Kyrgyzstan | $453,075 | $18,123/yr | 30 |
| 33 | Malaysia | $459,300 | $18,372/yr | 31 |
| 34 | Russia | $471,125 | $18,845/yr | 31 |
| 35 | Suriname | $479,000 | $19,160/yr | 32 |
| 36 | Kenya | $481,425 | $19,257/yr | 32 |
| 37 | Guinea-Bissau | $484,600 | $19,384/yr | 32 |
| 38 | Turkmenistan | $484,850 | $19,394/yr | 32 |
| 39 | Lesotho | $485,775 | $19,431/yr | 32 |
| 40 | Algeria | $489,725 | $19,589/yr | 33 |
| 41 | Georgia | $490,100 | $19,604/yr | 33 |
| 42 | Nicaragua | $490,450 | $19,618/yr | 33 |
| 43 | Cameroon | $491,150 | $19,646/yr | 33 |
| 44 | Uganda | $493,950 | $19,758/yr | 33 |
| 45 | Cambodia | $494,775 | $19,791/yr | 33 |
| 46 | Mali | $495,325 | $19,813/yr | 33 |
| 47 | Eswatini | $497,000 | $19,880/yr | 33 |
| 48 | Togo | $498,925 | $19,957/yr | 33 |
| 49 | Benin | $502,425 | $20,097/yr | 34 |
| 50 | Philippines | $506,800 | $20,272/yr | 34 |
| 51 | Burkina Faso | $508,650 | $20,346/yr | 34 |
| 52 | Bolivia | $514,975 | $20,599/yr | 34 |
| 53 | Ethiopia | $517,350 | $20,694/yr | 34 |
| 54 | Kazakhstan | $519,225 | $20,769/yr | 35 |
| 55 | Paraguay | $519,550 | $20,782/yr | 35 |
| 56 | Senegal | $524,550 | $20,982/yr | 35 |
| 57 | North Macedonia | $525,250 | $21,010/yr | 35 |
| 58 | Chad | $525,900 | $21,036/yr | 35 |
| 59 | Turkey | $528,325 | $21,133/yr | 35 |
| 60 | Mongolia | $528,925 | $21,157/yr | 35 |
| 61 | Congo | $529,925 | $21,197/yr | 35 |
| 62 | Ivory Coast | $533,550 | $21,342/yr | 36 |
| 63 | DR Congo | $534,900 | $21,396/yr | 36 |
| 64 | Niger | $538,025 | $21,521/yr | 36 |
| 65 | Colombia | $552,275 | $22,091/yr | 37 |
| 66 | Brunei | $553,300 | $22,132/yr | 37 |
| 67 | Guyana | $555,325 | $22,213/yr | 37 |
| 68 | Guinea | $556,900 | $22,276/yr | 37 |
| 69 | Botswana | $562,050 | $22,482/yr | 37 |
| 70 | Armenia | $562,325 | $22,493/yr | 37 |
| 71 | Mauritius | $564,900 | $22,596/yr | 38 |
| 72 | Namibia | $566,425 | $22,657/yr | 38 |
| 73 | Gabon | $573,925 | $22,957/yr | 38 |
| 74 | Equatorial Guinea | $575,975 | $23,039/yr | 38 |
| 75 | Mozambique | $577,675 | $23,107/yr | 39 |
| 76 | Montenegro | $581,275 | $23,251/yr | 39 |
| 77 | Somalia, Fed. Rep. | $589,475 | $23,579/yr | 39 |
| 78 | Kosovo | $589,700 | $23,588/yr | 39 |
| 79 | Dominican Republic | $592,325 | $23,693/yr | 39 |
| 80 | Morocco | $598,150 | $23,926/yr | 40 |
| 81 | South Africa | $608,225 | $24,329/yr | 41 |
| 82 | Moldova | $610,500 | $24,420/yr | 41 |
| 83 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | $611,525 | $24,461/yr | 41 |
| 84 | Central African Republic | $612,975 | $24,519/yr | 41 |
| 85 | Romania | $618,100 | $24,724/yr | 41 |
| 86 | Fiji | $623,850 | $24,954/yr | 42 |
| 87 | Iraq | $629,850 | $25,194/yr | 42 |
| 88 | Comoros | $630,075 | $25,203/yr | 42 |
| 89 | El Salvador | $631,000 | $25,240/yr | 42 |
| 90 | Zimbabwe | $631,875 | $25,275/yr | 42 |
| 91 | Bulgaria | $635,700 | $25,428/yr | 42 |
| 92 | Serbia | $636,575 | $25,463/yr | 42 |
| 93 | Albania | $639,375 | $25,575/yr | 43 |
| 94 | Jordan | $640,125 | $25,605/yr | 43 |
| 95 | Guatemala | $642,025 | $25,681/yr | 43 |
| 96 | Ecuador | $651,000 | $26,040/yr | 43 |
| 97 | Bahrain | $664,475 | $26,579/yr | 44 |
| 98 | Djibouti | $682,325 | $27,293/yr | 45 |
| 99 | Liberia | $682,650 | $27,306/yr | 46 |
| 100 | Honduras | $686,575 | $27,463/yr | 46 |
| 101 | Argentina | $688,600 | $27,544/yr | 46 |
| 102 | Libya | $688,900 | $27,556/yr | 46 |
| 103 | Brazil | $692,350 | $27,694/yr | 46 |
| 104 | Panama | $694,750 | $27,790/yr | 46 |
| 105 | Cape Verde | $695,725 | $27,829/yr | 46 |
| 106 | Sudan | $698,025 | $27,921/yr | 47 |
| 107 | Peru | $712,175 | $28,487/yr | 47 |
| 108 | Chile | $723,650 | $28,946/yr | 48 |
| 109 | Oman | $728,975 | $29,159/yr | 49 |
| 110 | Dominica | $732,750 | $29,310/yr | 49 |
| 111 | Hungary | $734,025 | $29,361/yr | 49 |
| 112 | China | $736,200 | $29,448/yr | 49 |
| 113 | Saudi Arabia | $738,100 | $29,524/yr | 49 |
| 114 | Croatia | $739,000 | $29,560/yr | 49 |
| 115 | Poland | $745,050 | $29,802/yr | 50 |
| 116 | Maldives | $766,500 | $30,660/yr | 51 |
| 117 | Saint Lucia | $771,650 | $30,866/yr | 51 |
| 118 | Trinidad and Tobago | $773,500 | $30,940/yr | 52 |
| 119 | Latvia | $799,050 | $31,962/yr | 53 |
| 120 | Belize | $803,100 | $32,124/yr | 54 |
| 121 | Seychelles | $805,950 | $32,238/yr | 54 |
| 122 | Lithuania | $810,075 | $32,403/yr | 54 |
| 123 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | $811,000 | $32,440/yr | 54 |
| 124 | Mexico | $826,725 | $33,069/yr | 55 |
| 125 | Slovakia | $831,300 | $33,252/yr | 55 |
| 126 | Czechia | $837,250 | $33,490/yr | 56 |
| 127 | Sao Tome and Principe | $838,825 | $33,553/yr | 56 |
| 128 | Greece | $842,400 | $33,696/yr | 56 |
| 129 | Macau | $850,725 | $34,029/yr | 57 |
| 130 | Portugal | $854,800 | $34,192/yr | 57 |
| 131 | Grenada | $870,150 | $34,806/yr | 58 |
| 132 | Palestine | $889,575 | $35,583/yr | 59 |
| 133 | Jamaica | $902,275 | $36,091/yr | 60 |
| 134 | Singapore | $902,600 | $36,104/yr | 60 |
| 135 | Slovenia | $904,525 | $36,181/yr | 60 |
| 136 | Qatar | $912,625 | $36,505/yr | 61 |
| 137 | South Korea | $922,975 | $36,919/yr | 62 |
| 138 | Papua New Guinea | $925,200 | $37,008/yr | 62 |
| 139 | Samoa | $925,900 | $37,036/yr | 62 |
| 140 | Kiribati | $927,250 | $37,090/yr | 62 |
| 141 | Costa Rica | $927,425 | $37,097/yr | 62 |
| 142 | Spain | $930,075 | $37,203/yr | 62 |
| 143 | Kuwait | $935,800 | $37,432/yr | 62 |
| 144 | Japan | $942,525 | $37,701/yr | 63 |
| 145 | Malta | $942,950 | $37,718/yr | 63 |
| 146 | Cyprus | $946,800 | $37,872/yr | 63 |
| 147 | Estonia | $947,725 | $37,909/yr | 63 |
| 148 | United Arab Emirates | $951,800 | $38,072/yr | 63 |
| 149 | Uruguay | $984,675 | $39,387/yr | 66 |
| 150 | Andorra | $986,875 | $39,475/yr | 66 |
| 151 | Italy | $991,650 | $39,666/yr | 66 |
| 152 | Haiti | $1,006,350 | $40,254/yr | 67 |
| 153 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | $1,031,400 | $41,256/yr | 69 |
| 154 | Antigua and Barbuda | $1,057,725 | $42,309/yr | 71 |
| 155 | Hong Kong | $1,078,675 | $43,147/yr | 72 |
| 156 | Solomon Islands | $1,084,275 | $43,371/yr | 72 |
| 157 | France | $1,128,900 | $45,156/yr | 75 |
| 158 | Germany | $1,157,675 | $46,307/yr | 77 |
| 159 | Belgium | $1,163,675 | $46,547/yr | 78 |
| 160 | Austria | $1,190,350 | $47,614/yr | 79 |
| 161 | Netherlands | $1,215,025 | $48,601/yr | 81 |
| 162 | Sweden | $1,218,975 | $48,759/yr | 81 |
| 163 | Ireland | $1,227,175 | $49,087/yr | 82 |
| 164 | Canada | $1,243,825 | $49,753/yr | 83 |
| 165 | Finland | $1,244,825 | $49,793/yr | 83 |
| 166 | Norway | $1,288,850 | $51,554/yr | 86 |
| 167 | United Kingdom | $1,302,450 | $52,098/yr | 87 |
| 168 | New Zealand | $1,327,200 | $53,088/yr | 88 |
| 169 | Denmark | $1,355,450 | $54,218/yr | 90 |
| 170 | Australia | $1,357,025 | $54,281/yr | 90 |
| 171 | Luxembourg | $1,368,125 | $54,725/yr | 91 |
| 172 | Marshall Islands | $1,414,275 | $56,571/yr | 94 |
| 173 | Vanuatu | $1,418,950 | $56,758/yr | 95 |
| 174 | Bahamas | $1,436,550 | $57,462/yr | 96 |
| 175 | Micronesia | $1,437,600 | $57,504/yr | 96 |
| 176 | Nauru | $1,440,325 | $57,613/yr | 96 |
| 177 | Israel | $1,459,225 | $58,369/yr | 97 |
| 178 | United States | $1,500,000 | $60,000/yr | 100 |
| 179 | Iceland | $1,585,200 | $63,408/yr | 106 |
| 180 | Barbados | $1,604,075 | $64,163/yr | 107 |
| 181 | Switzerland | $1,657,500 | $66,300/yr | 111 |
Data context: Some low-cost countries in this dataset are experiencing
conflict, political instability, or humanitarian crises that make them unsuitable for
relocation. These include Myanmar, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, and others.
Low FIRE numbers in these countries reflect economic conditions, not viability as destinations.
Always research current conditions before considering any international move.
FIRE Numbers Around the World
FIRE number by country based on World Bank Price Level Index data. Hover over a country for details.
FIRE Number
< $495K
$495K - $652K
$652K - $808K
$808K - $964K
> $964K
No data
FIRE Numbers at a Glance
Top 10 Most Affordable Countries
Lowest FIRE numbers worldwide
Top 10 Most Expensive Countries
Highest FIRE numbers worldwide
Average FIRE Number by Continent
Comparing regional affordability
Regional Breakdown
Cheapest and most expensive in each region
181 Countries
$636K Global Median
Africa (52)
$179K - $839K
Asia (44)
$326K - $1.5M
South America (11)
$479K - $985K
North America (22)
$490K - $1.6M
Europe (41)
$378K - $1.7M
Oceania (11)
$624K - $1.4M
Compare FIRE Numbers Between Countries
See how moving abroad could change your FIRE target. Compare your current location to potential destinations.
FIRE Number Comparison
United States
Cost: 100% of US Lean FIRE $1.20M
Regular FIRE $1.50M
Fat FIRE $2.97M
Monthly spending $5,000
Save $0 (0%)
Portugal
Cost: 57% of US Lean FIRE $0.68M
Regular FIRE $0.85M
Fat FIRE $1.69M
Monthly spending $2,849
Moving from the US to Portugal could reduce your FIRE target by approximately $500,000, letting you reach financial independence years earlier.
Popular FIRE Destinations
Regional Insights
Southeast Asia Leads for Affordability
Countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines offer some of the lowest FIRE numbers globally. Combined with modern infrastructure in major cities, these countries attract digital nomads and early retirees from around the world.
Europe Spans the Full Range
Europe shows the widest cost variation - from affordable Eastern European countries like Romania and Bulgaria to expensive Nordic nations. Portugal has become particularly popular as an English-friendly, affordable EU option.
Latin America: Quality at Lower Cost
Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador offer significantly lower costs than the US while maintaining proximity, similar time zones, and established expat communities. Many countries offer retiree visa programs with minimal requirements.
Cite This Analysis
Using this data in your work? Here are ready-to-use citations in common formats.
APA
FinancialAha. (2026, January 4). FIRE Number by Country: How Much Is Needed to Retire Early Worldwide (Revision 1). FinancialAha. https://www.financialaha.com/data-analysis/fire-number-by-country/rv1/
MLA
"FIRE Number by Country: How Much Is Needed to Retire Early Worldwide (Revision 1)." FinancialAha, https://www.financialaha.com/data-analysis/fire-number-by-country/rv1/. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Chicago
FinancialAha. "FIRE Number by Country: How Much Is Needed to Retire Early Worldwide (Revision 1)." FinancialAha. January 4, 2026. https://www.financialaha.com/data-analysis/fire-number-by-country/rv1/.
Harvard
FinancialAha (2026) FIRE Number by Country: How Much Is Needed to Retire Early Worldwide (Revision 1). Available at: https://www.financialaha.com/data-analysis/fire-number-by-country/rv1/ (Accessed: 14 March 2026).
BibTeX
@misc{fire_number_by_2026_rv1,
author = {FinancialAha Data Team},
title = {FIRE Number by Country: How Much Is Needed to Retire Early Worldwide},
year = {2026},
url = {https://www.financialaha.com/data-analysis/fire-number-by-country/rv1/},
note = {Accessed: 2026-03-14, Revision 1}
} RIS (EndNote/Zotero)
TY - ELEC TI - FIRE Number by Country: How Much Is Needed to Retire Early Worldwide (Revision 1) AU - FinancialAha Data Team PB - FinancialAha PY - 2026 DA - 2026/01/04 UR - https://www.financialaha.com/data-analysis/fire-number-by-country/rv1/ Y2 - 2026-03-14 N1 - Revision 1 ER -
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