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 Year 2025
Baseline $60,000 annual expenses (U.S. baseline)
Method Price Level Index adjusts expenses; 4% withdrawal rate
Sample Size 187 countries
Considerations
  • The index compares price levels across the whole economy (GDP), so actual living 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 187 countries worldwide, here's what the data reveals about global FIRE numbers. These calculations use the 4% safe withdrawal rate and the World Bank price level index (GDP).

$647K
Global Median FIRE Number Half of all countries require more, half require less. Based on US $60K baseline adjusted for local costs.
$193K
Lowest: Nigeria Cost of living is 13% of US average - goods and services cost 87% less here.
$1.77M
Highest: Iceland Cost of living is 118% of US average - expect to pay 18% more.
9.2x
Cost Difference The highest FIRE number in the index is $1.58M above the lowest.
$542K
Cheapest Continent: Africa Average across 52 countries, from $193K in Nigeria to $959K in Sao Tome and Principe.
$1.19M
Priciest Continent: Oceania Average across 14 countries, from $610K in Fiji to $1.55M in Nauru.
181
Countries Cheaper Than US 97% of countries in the index have a lower price level than the United States.
$1.08M
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 Continent FIRE Number Annual Expenses Cost Index
1 Nigeria Africa $192,650 $7,706/yr 13
2 Egypt Africa $229,100 $9,164/yr 15
3 Afghanistan Asia $279,625 $11,185/yr 19
4 Burundi Africa $281,025 $11,241/yr 19
5 Iran Asia $298,825 $11,953/yr 20
6 Laos Asia $335,850 $13,434/yr 22
7 Sierra Leone Africa $341,525 $13,661/yr 23
8 Bhutan Asia $343,950 $13,758/yr 23
9 India Asia $345,050 $13,802/yr 23
10 Pakistan Asia $364,175 $14,567/yr 24
11 Myanmar Asia $371,500 $14,860/yr 25
12 Gambia Africa $372,025 $14,881/yr 25
13 Nepal Asia $373,075 $14,923/yr 25
14 Bangladesh Asia $383,700 $15,348/yr 26
15 Ethiopia Africa $386,300 $15,452/yr 26
16 Rwanda Africa $404,775 $16,191/yr 27
17 Tajikistan Asia $414,600 $16,584/yr 28
18 Timor-Leste Asia $418,225 $16,729/yr 28
19 Vietnam Asia $420,100 $16,804/yr 28
20 Azerbaijan Asia $425,700 $17,028/yr 28
21 Mauritania Africa $429,450 $17,178/yr 29
22 Indonesia Asia $429,750 $17,190/yr 29
23 Turkmenistan Asia $434,050 $17,362/yr 29
24 Uzbekistan Asia $437,625 $17,505/yr 29
25 Sri Lanka Asia $439,675 $17,587/yr 29
26 Tanzania Africa $442,450 $17,698/yr 30
27 Belarus Europe $444,150 $17,766/yr 30
28 Zambia Africa $451,400 $18,056/yr 30
29 Angola Africa $457,900 $18,316/yr 31
30 Tunisia Africa $458,525 $18,341/yr 31
31 Madagascar Africa $460,375 $18,415/yr 31
32 Thailand Asia $460,375 $18,415/yr 31
33 Ukraine Europe $465,425 $18,617/yr 31
34 Suriname South America $468,150 $18,726/yr 31
35 Malaysia Asia $474,400 $18,976/yr 32
36 Algeria Africa $488,350 $19,534/yr 33
37 Eswatini Africa $491,850 $19,674/yr 33
38 Georgia Asia $494,225 $19,769/yr 33
39 Guyana South America $496,650 $19,866/yr 33
40 Philippines Asia $497,425 $19,897/yr 33
41 Kazakhstan Asia $497,550 $19,902/yr 33
42 Kyrgyzstan Asia $501,275 $20,051/yr 33
43 Cambodia Asia $504,375 $20,175/yr 34
44 Kenya Africa $505,175 $20,207/yr 34
45 Togo Africa $508,875 $20,355/yr 34
46 Mali Africa $511,000 $20,440/yr 34
47 Cameroon Africa $511,175 $20,447/yr 34
48 Guinea-Bissau Africa $511,875 $20,475/yr 34
49 Mongolia Asia $512,675 $20,507/yr 34
50 Nicaragua North America $512,725 $20,509/yr 34
51 Lesotho Africa $513,000 $20,520/yr 34
52 Benin Africa $516,400 $20,656/yr 34
53 Uganda Africa $518,800 $20,752/yr 35
54 Congo Africa $520,400 $20,816/yr 35
55 Paraguay South America $522,250 $20,890/yr 35
56 Brunei Asia $523,125 $20,925/yr 35
57 Chad Africa $528,300 $21,132/yr 35
58 Malawi Africa $530,325 $21,213/yr 35
59 Russia Europe $530,975 $21,239/yr 35
60 Niger Africa $534,175 $21,367/yr 36
61 Senegal Africa $536,700 $21,468/yr 36
62 Mozambique Africa $553,825 $22,153/yr 37
63 Ivory Coast Africa $557,350 $22,294/yr 37
64 Gabon Africa $557,850 $22,314/yr 37
65 Burkina Faso Africa $560,400 $22,416/yr 37
66 North Macedonia Europe $561,400 $22,456/yr 37
67 Lebanon Asia $563,025 $22,521/yr 38
68 Botswana Africa $563,700 $22,548/yr 38
69 Colombia South America $567,225 $22,689/yr 38
70 Ghana Africa $567,425 $22,697/yr 38
71 Iraq Asia $568,775 $22,751/yr 38
72 Guinea Africa $570,625 $22,825/yr 38
73 Armenia Asia $574,075 $22,963/yr 38
74 Dominican Republic North America $577,575 $23,103/yr 39
75 Mauritius Africa $578,825 $23,153/yr 39
76 Libya Africa $585,500 $23,420/yr 39
77 Bolivia South America $599,825 $23,993/yr 40
78 Bosnia and Herzegovina Europe $603,250 $24,130/yr 40
79 Somalia, Fed. Rep. Africa $603,700 $24,148/yr 40
80 Fiji Oceania $609,825 $24,393/yr 41
81 Namibia Africa $610,225 $24,409/yr 41
82 El Salvador North America $613,425 $24,537/yr 41
83 Kosovo Europe $613,600 $24,544/yr 41
84 Equatorial Guinea Africa $615,075 $24,603/yr 41
85 Turkey Asia $616,025 $24,641/yr 41
86 South Africa Africa $622,200 $24,888/yr 41
87 Montenegro Europe $625,900 $25,036/yr 42
88 DR Congo Africa $630,350 $25,214/yr 42
89 Morocco Africa $630,750 $25,230/yr 42
90 Central African Republic Africa $634,925 $25,397/yr 42
91 Jordan Asia $635,050 $25,402/yr 42
92 Ecuador South America $637,825 $25,513/yr 43
93 Bahrain Asia $646,425 $25,857/yr 43
94 Moldova Europe $646,775 $25,871/yr 43
95 Guatemala North America $651,250 $26,050/yr 43
96 Romania Europe $664,250 $26,570/yr 44
97 Serbia Europe $675,125 $27,005/yr 45
98 Panama North America $676,150 $27,046/yr 45
99 Honduras North America $685,725 $27,429/yr 46
100 Argentina South America $685,775 $27,431/yr 46
101 Brazil South America $685,775 $27,431/yr 46
102 Bulgaria Europe $685,975 $27,439/yr 46
103 Albania Europe $690,875 $27,635/yr 46
104 Liberia Africa $693,050 $27,722/yr 46
105 Djibouti Africa $693,150 $27,726/yr 46
106 Zimbabwe Africa $700,450 $28,018/yr 47
107 Saudi Arabia Asia $702,125 $28,085/yr 47
108 Oman Asia $707,425 $28,297/yr 47
109 China Asia $708,850 $28,354/yr 47
110 Chile South America $714,550 $28,582/yr 48
111 Cape Verde Africa $714,725 $28,589/yr 48
112 Dominica North America $725,725 $29,029/yr 48
113 Comoros Africa $727,575 $29,103/yr 49
114 Trinidad and Tobago North America $766,425 $30,657/yr 51
115 Maldives Asia $767,725 $30,709/yr 51
116 Saint Lucia North America $771,400 $30,856/yr 51
117 Peru South America $772,025 $30,881/yr 51
118 Hungary Europe $779,750 $31,190/yr 52
119 Poland Europe $785,625 $31,425/yr 52
120 Belize North America $788,350 $31,534/yr 53
121 Sudan Africa $796,800 $31,872/yr 53
122 Croatia Europe $798,025 $31,921/yr 53
123 Mexico North America $805,375 $32,215/yr 54
124 Seychelles Africa $813,700 $32,548/yr 54
125 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines North America $826,450 $33,058/yr 55
126 Macau Asia $830,850 $33,234/yr 55
127 Qatar Asia $844,075 $33,763/yr 56
128 Grenada North America $850,750 $34,030/yr 57
129 Latvia Europe $855,450 $34,218/yr 57
130 Kuwait Asia $858,350 $34,334/yr 57
131 South Korea Asia $860,850 $34,434/yr 57
132 Slovakia Europe $868,325 $34,733/yr 58
133 Papua New Guinea Oceania $868,550 $34,742/yr 58
134 Lithuania Europe $869,800 $34,792/yr 58
135 Costa Rica North America $885,850 $35,434/yr 59
136 Czechia Europe $890,700 $35,628/yr 59
137 Greece Europe $893,025 $35,721/yr 60
138 Jamaica North America $903,175 $36,127/yr 60
139 Portugal Europe $905,475 $36,219/yr 60
140 Singapore Asia $907,350 $36,294/yr 60
141 Samoa Oceania $945,300 $37,812/yr 63
142 Slovenia Europe $946,325 $37,853/yr 63
143 United Arab Emirates Asia $950,425 $38,017/yr 63
144 Palestine Asia $951,375 $38,055/yr 63
145 Sao Tome and Principe Africa $959,000 $38,360/yr 64
146 Spain Europe $967,825 $38,713/yr 65
147 Cyprus Asia $970,575 $38,823/yr 65
148 Japan Asia $973,025 $38,921/yr 65
149 Kiribati Oceania $974,950 $38,998/yr 65
150 Uruguay South America $987,175 $39,487/yr 66
151 Estonia Europe $990,800 $39,632/yr 66
152 Malta Europe $995,150 $39,806/yr 66
153 Andorra Europe $1,023,500 $40,940/yr 68
154 Saint Kitts and Nevis North America $1,028,750 $41,150/yr 69
155 Italy Europe $1,034,400 $41,376/yr 69
156 Antigua and Barbuda North America $1,038,975 $41,559/yr 69
157 Hong Kong Asia $1,062,825 $42,513/yr 71
158 Solomon Islands Oceania $1,122,575 $44,903/yr 75
159 Tonga Oceania $1,132,125 $45,285/yr 75
160 France Europe $1,148,550 $45,942/yr 77
161 Germany Europe $1,203,400 $48,136/yr 80
162 Belgium Europe $1,220,275 $48,811/yr 81
163 Austria Europe $1,229,450 $49,178/yr 82
164 Canada North America $1,251,700 $50,068/yr 83
165 Netherlands Europe $1,265,750 $50,630/yr 84
166 Palau Oceania $1,271,000 $50,840/yr 85
167 Ireland Europe $1,272,750 $50,910/yr 85
168 Finland Europe $1,278,350 $51,134/yr 85
169 Haiti North America $1,289,600 $51,584/yr 86
170 New Zealand Oceania $1,297,050 $51,882/yr 86
171 Sweden Europe $1,305,675 $52,227/yr 87
172 United Kingdom Europe $1,337,375 $53,495/yr 89
173 Vanuatu Oceania $1,338,725 $53,549/yr 89
174 Tuvalu Oceania $1,340,700 $53,628/yr 89
175 Australia Oceania $1,358,100 $54,324/yr 91
176 Norway Europe $1,363,775 $54,551/yr 91
177 Denmark Europe $1,387,375 $55,495/yr 92
178 Luxembourg Europe $1,410,975 $56,439/yr 94
179 Marshall Islands Oceania $1,420,475 $56,819/yr 95
180 Bahamas North America $1,434,475 $57,379/yr 96
181 Micronesia Oceania $1,437,975 $57,519/yr 96
182 United States North America $1,500,000 $60,000/yr 100
183 Israel Asia $1,515,575 $60,623/yr 101
184 Nauru Oceania $1,546,375 $61,855/yr 103
185 Barbados North America $1,643,150 $65,726/yr 110
186 Switzerland Europe $1,679,325 $67,173/yr 112
187 Iceland Europe $1,767,750 $70,710/yr 118
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, Sudan, and Somalia, among others. Low FIRE numbers in these countries reflect economic conditions, not viability as destinations. Researching current conditions is an important step for anyone considering an 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
< $503K
$503K - $667K
$667K - $831K
$831K - $995K
> $995K
No data
Loading map...

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

187 Countries
$647K Global Median
Africa (52)
$193K - $959K
Asia (47)
$280K - $1.5M
South America (11)
$468K - $987K
North America (22)
$513K - $1.6M
Europe (41)
$444K - $1.8M
Oceania (14)
$610K - $1.5M

Compare FIRE Numbers Between Countries

See how moving abroad could change your FIRE target. Compare your current location to potential destinations.

$
Your current annual expenses
%
4% is standard; 3% is more conservative

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: 60% of US
Lean FIRE $0.72M
Regular FIRE $0.91M
Fat FIRE $1.79M
Monthly spending $3,018

Moving from the US to Portugal could reduce your FIRE target by approximately $595,000.

Regional Insights

Southeast Asia Sits Below the Median

Vietnam ($420K) and Indonesia ($430K) rank 19th and 22nd lowest of 187 countries, and Thailand ($460K) ranks 32nd. All three sit below the global median of $647K.

Europe Spans a Wide Range

European figures run from $444K in Belarus to $1.77M in Iceland. Romania ($664K) and Bulgaria ($686K) sit close to the global median, while Norway ($1.36M) and Denmark ($1.39M) are nearer the US figure of $1.50M.

Latin America Below the US Figure

Colombia ($567K), Ecuador ($638K) and Mexico ($805K) come in at 38%, 43% and 54% of the US FIRE number of $1.50M.

International Geo-Arbitrage: Retire Earlier by Relocating

Geographic arbitrage takes on a new dimension when considering international relocation. The cost differences between countries are far more dramatic than regional variations within a single country. Someone targeting FIRE in the US might need $1.5 million, while the same spending adjusted to Portugal comes to $905K and to Mexico $805K, about 60% and 54% of the US figure.

The strategy has gained popularity in the FIRE community because a lower target can mean fewer years of saving. Remote work has made this even more accessible, allowing people to earn in high-income currencies while spending in lower-cost economies.

The data in this index shows the size of the gap. Moving from the US to a country like Iran could reduce a FIRE target by $1.20M. That difference represents years of additional work that might not be necessary.

Things to Consider Before Relocating Internationally

International moves involve more complexity than domestic relocations. Some factors worth researching:

  • Visa and residency: Each country has different requirements for long-term stays. Some offer retirement visas, digital nomad visas, or investor visas. Requirements vary from proving minimal income to making substantial investments.
  • Healthcare: Health systems vary dramatically. Some countries have excellent public healthcare, others require private insurance. Pre-existing conditions and age can affect options and costs.
  • Taxes: Tax treaties, residency rules, and local tax obligations can be complex. Some countries tax worldwide income, others only local income. US citizens face additional reporting requirements regardless of where they live.
  • Currency risk: Living in a country with a different currency exposes a person to exchange rate fluctuations. A strengthening local currency can effectively increase the cost of living over time.
  • Social connections: Distance from family and friends is a significant factor that doesn't appear in financial calculations. Some find expat communities fulfill social needs, others struggle with isolation.
  • Infrastructure and safety: Quality of roads, internet, utilities, and personal safety varies. Research specific regions, as conditions within a country can differ dramatically between cities.

Lean FIRE vs. Regular FIRE vs. Fat FIRE - Global Edition

The three common FIRE categories take on different meaning in a global context. What's considered "lean" in Switzerland might be "fat" in Southeast Asia. These numbers use the same methodology but show how geography dramatically affects the target.

Lean FIRE

Global range: $154K - $1.4M

Lean FIRE internationally opens possibilities that don't exist domestically. In the lowest-cost countries, a lean lifestyle might cost under $15,000 per year - achievable with a portfolio under $400K. This enables FIRE at a much younger age.

The trade-off: living lean in a developing country may mean smaller apartments, local food, limited travel, and less access to familiar conveniences.

Regular FIRE

Global range: $193K - $1.8M

Regular FIRE targets vary by over 9x between the cheapest and most expensive countries. The global median of $0.65M reflects that most countries are significantly cheaper than wealthy Western nations.

For Americans considering relocation, the median global FIRE number is substantially below what's needed to maintain an equivalent lifestyle in the US.

Fat FIRE

Global range: $381K - $3.5M

Fat FIRE in a lower-cost country can mean genuine luxury - large homes, hired help, frequent travel, and premium services - at a fraction of what basic comfort costs in expensive cities.

This creates interesting optionality: the same portfolio that enables regular FIRE in the US might fund a fat FIRE lifestyle elsewhere with substantial margin.

What is a FIRE Number?

A FIRE number is the amount of money a person needs invested to achieve financial independence and potentially retire early. It's calculated by multiplying annual expenses by 25 (based on the 4% safe withdrawal rate).

The key insight: expenses vary dramatically based on location. Someone living in Iceland needs about 9.2 times as much invested as someone with an equivalent lifestyle in Nigeria. This index quantifies exactly how much location choice affects a financial independence target.

The 4% Rule Explained

The 4% rule comes from the Trinity Study, which analyzed historical market returns to determine a safe withdrawal rate for retirees. The research found that withdrawing 4% of a portfolio in the first year of retirement, then adjusting for inflation each year after, gave a high probability of the money lasting 30+ years.

To find a FIRE number using this rule, divide annual expenses by 0.04 - or simply multiply by 25. Someone spending $60,000 per year would have a FIRE number of $1,500,000. But that $60,000 buys very different lifestyles depending on location.

Understanding the Price Level Index

The World Bank's price level index (GDP) is "the ratio of a purchasing power parity (PPP) conversion factor to the corresponding market exchange rate", with the United States as the base country set to 100. It shows how general price levels in each country differ from those in the US.

A country with a PLI of 50 means goods and services cost about half what they do in the US. A PLI of 150 means they cost 50% more. These differences compound dramatically when calculating FIRE numbers - a 50% lower cost of living means 50% less needs to be invested.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate are these international FIRE numbers?

These numbers are estimates based on World Bank Price Level Index data from 2025. They reflect the relative cost of goods and services compared to the US. Actual expenses will vary based on lifestyle choices, housing situation, healthcare needs, and specific location within each country.

Do these numbers include visas, taxes, and healthcare?

The Price Level Index focuses on the cost of goods and services, not legal or tax considerations. Visa requirements, residency options, tax treaties, and healthcare systems vary significantly between countries and can substantially affect actual expenses and legal ability to relocate.

Which countries are most popular for expat FIRE?

Popular destinations include Portugal (EU access, golden visa), Mexico (proximity to US, established expat communities), Thailand (low cost, infrastructure), Colombia (climate, affordability), and Vietnam (very low cost, growing economy). Each has trade-offs in terms of visa options, healthcare quality, and cultural adjustment.

What's the baseline annual spending used in these calculations?

We use $60,000 as the US baseline for annual expenses, then adjust up or down based on each country's Price Level Index. The calculator above allows entering a custom spending amount to see personalized FIRE numbers.

Is the 4% rule valid internationally?

The 4% rule was developed based on US market historical returns. Some argue it may not apply in countries with different market dynamics or currency risks. For those retiring abroad but keeping investments in US markets, the rule remains relevant, though currency fluctuations add another variable to consider.

How often is this data updated?

The World Bank publishes the price level index (GDP) in its World Development Indicators. The file used here was last updated on October 8, 2026 and runs through 2025. We update this index when new data is released.

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 2). FinancialAha. https://www.financialaha.com/data-analysis/fire-number-by-country/rv2/
MLA
"FIRE Number by Country: How Much Is Needed to Retire Early Worldwide (Revision 2)." FinancialAha, https://www.financialaha.com/data-analysis/fire-number-by-country/rv2/. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.
Chicago
FinancialAha. "FIRE Number by Country: How Much Is Needed to Retire Early Worldwide (Revision 2)." FinancialAha. January 4, 2026. https://www.financialaha.com/data-analysis/fire-number-by-country/rv2/.
Harvard
FinancialAha (2026) FIRE Number by Country: How Much Is Needed to Retire Early Worldwide (Revision 2). Available at: https://www.financialaha.com/data-analysis/fire-number-by-country/rv2/ (Accessed: 22 October 2026).
BibTeX
@misc{fire_number_by_2026_rv2,
  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/rv2/},
  note = {Accessed: 2026-10-22, Revision 2}
}
RIS (EndNote/Zotero)
TY  - ELEC
TI  - FIRE Number by Country: How Much Is Needed to Retire Early Worldwide (Revision 2)
AU  - FinancialAha Data Team
PB  - FinancialAha
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/01/04
UR  - https://www.financialaha.com/data-analysis/fire-number-by-country/rv2/
Y2  - 2026-10-22
N1  - Revision 2
ER  - 

This analysis is licensed under CC BY 4.0. You are free to share and adapt this work with attribution.

Revision History

This analysis is updated when the source survey is released. Every revision keeps a permanent URL, so figures quoted from an earlier version can still be checked.

  1. Revision 2 Latest Viewing
    Data: 2025

    Updated to the World Bank price level index (PA.NUS.GDP.PLI) with 2025 values; the earlier indicator PA.NUS.PPPC.RF was retired

  2. Data: 2021 (extrapolated to 2024)

    Initial release with World Bank ICP 2021 Price Level Ratio data

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