Singapore is the best place in the world if you want to move abroad - with Ecuador and Austria not far behind

Ecuador and Austria took second and third place respectively

People sunbathe on Levante Beach on August 10, 2013 in Benidorm (Getty)

Singapore has been ranked as the best place in the world to live for expatriates.

The survey, carried out by expat social network InterNations, asked at least 50 of its users in each country of the world to rate factors such as happiness, health, political stability and 'peacefulness'.

The city-state ranked first in overall 'quality of life', largely owing to its excellent travel and transport facilities.

It was also commended by users for its high level of personal safety. However, Singapore received a significantly poorer score with regards to healthcare. A total of 33 per cent of respondents said they were unhappy with the Lion City's medical costs.

Ecuador and Austria took second and third place in the index respectively.

The 'personal happiness' of expats in the South American country was ranked higher than in any other, while those living in Austria's clean Alpine air reported the highest level of safety and well-being.

Spain, Israel and Australia all featured in the overall 'quality of life' rankings, with the latter also being judged to have the widest range of leisure options.

The United Kingdom, however, did not make the top 20, finishing 31st in the standings.

InterNations Quality of Life Index 2015

1. Singapore

2. Ecuador

3. Austria

4. Switzerland

5. Portugal

6. Spain

7. Japan

8. Czech Republic

9. Germany

10. South Korea

11. Hungary

12. Costa Rica

13. Australia

14. France

15. Israel

16. Netherlands

17. Malta

18. Thailand

19. Canada

20. Luxembourg

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31. United Kingdom