Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about how RetireMapper works, where the data comes from, and what to expect from your report.
Every country in our database is scored across 24 metrics covering safety, healthcare, governance, cost of living, housing, environment, and more. As you move through the wizard, your slider settings act as weights - the more importance you assign to a metric, the more it influences a country's final match score. Countries are then ranked from highest to lowest match and displayed on the map and results list in real time.
Your budget is applied as a filter: countries estimated to cost more than your budget are shown separately at the bottom of the results, dimmed but not hidden.
All metrics are drawn from internationally recognised sources, including the UN, World Bank, WHO, UNODC, Gallup World Poll, Institute for Economics and Peace, Transparency International, and others. Each metric in the wizard includes a source citation. Data is periodically reviewed and updated. Because international indices are published on varying schedules, some figures may be one to three years old at any given time.
RetireMapper currently covers 126 countries across all inhabited continents. Countries were selected to provide broad geographic diversity while ensuring sufficient data quality across all 24 metrics. We continue to expand coverage as data becomes available.
Yes - the interactive wizard and live map are completely free. You can explore all 126 countries, adjust every slider, and see real-time rankings at no cost. A fee of $39 applies only if you choose to generate the full written report at the end of the wizard.
The report is a personalised document generated based on your exact wizard settings. It includes:
- Full detailed profiles for your top 50 matching countries - including an overview, category score breakdown, budget analysis, language profile, top cities, key facts, and curated resource links
- Summary profiles for lower-ranked countries
- A full country index with anchor navigation
Your report is accessible via a permanent private link. There is no expiry - bookmark it and return whenever you need it.
Yes. Each purchase includes up to 10 free updates. To update your report, return to the wizard, adjust your settings, click Done, and enter the same email address you used at checkout. Your report will be regenerated with your new settings at no charge and the same link will reflect the updated results.
When you submit an update, you will see how many updates you have used and how many remain. When you reach your 10th update, you will be notified by email and offered the option to purchase a new report.
Your report page includes a "Save as PDF" button with step-by-step instructions for both Windows and Mac. In short: use your browser's print function (Ctrl+P on Windows, ⌘+P on Mac) and select "Save as PDF" as the destination. We recommend using Firefox for the most reliable results, and enabling "Background graphics" in the print dialog for the best visual output. Because the report is comprehensive, it may take a moment to render - this is normal.
Yes. Your answers are automatically saved in your browser as you go - you can close the tab, come back later, and pick up exactly where you left off. Note that answers are stored locally in your browser only; they are not linked to any account and will be lost if you clear your browser data or switch to a different device or browser. Occasional critical version releases may cause unavoidable loss of stored data, but we will always try to minimize the impacts.
Budget estimates are based on aggregated cost-of-living indices and are intended as broad indicators rather than precise figures. They represent a reasonable monthly living cost for a single person in a mid-range lifestyle - not luxurious, not budget-backpacker. Actual costs vary significantly by city, neighbourhood, lifestyle, and individual spending habits. We recommend using the estimates as a starting point and researching specific destinations more deeply before making any decisions.
Each metric slider includes a description explaining what a high or low setting means in practice. Setting a slider high means that metric carries more weight in your results - countries that perform well on it will score higher. Setting it low (or to zero) means the metric has little or no influence on your ranking. The HIGH and LOW notes in each step explain the real-world implications of your choice. You can also disable individual sliders to have no impact on the recommendations.
Each purchase includes up to 10 updates - see "Can I update my report if my priorities change?" above. If you need a completely fresh start with a different email address, or have used all 10 updates, a new purchase is required. Each new purchase starts a fresh set of 10 updates.
Yes. We work with organic content creators and organisations whose audiences include people planning or considering retirement abroad. If that sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.
Our program is individually negotiated and based on a genuine fit between your audience and RetireMapper's tool. Affiliates are provided with a unique discount code to share with their audience. We do not share customer information with affiliates.
To apply, visit our Affiliates page. We typically respond within 2-3 business days. Full program terms are available in our Affiliate Program Terms.
Please use the Contact page and select "Data Issue" from the category dropdown. Include the country name, the metric you believe is incorrect, and any source you can point us to. We review all submissions and update data as needed.
No. RetireMapper is an informational tool to help you explore and compare potential retirement destinations. Nothing on this site constitutes financial, legal, tax, immigration, or investment advice. Always consult qualified professionals before making any decisions about relocating or retiring abroad. See our Legal & Disclaimer page for full details.