With the annual day of love just around the corner, I thought it was only timely to share the results of InterNations annual Expat Insider survey on where in the world to find love.

And it turns out that Ecuador, Costa Rica and Malta are the best destinations for romantics, other surprisingly loved-up places include The Philippines, Indonesia, Panama, Thailand, Portugal and Mexico.

InterNations asked more than 14,000 people living in 195 different countries about their satisfaction with their romantic relationships. Based on the feedback, the countries were ranked — among other things — by how happy expats living there are with their relationships. Although moving abroad poses a great challenge to relationships and over one in ten people who live abroad and are in a relationship end up in a long-distance one, 75 percent said they are happy with their romantic life abroad.

While Paris, Rome and the Maldives are widely known for being popular holiday spots among love birds, InterNations has shared the ten most popular countries for those looking for romance all-year-around:

1. Ecuador

Ecuador is the best destination to spend your life together and expats in Ecuador are among the least likely to be in a long-distance relationship. With leisure options ranked positively by 94 percent of respondents along with being the most welcoming destination to foreigners, it is hardly surprising that Ecuador is home to the happiest expats. As job security is mediocre, however, it is less a destination for career-focused expats and more appealing to those ready to settle down for good.

2. Costa Rica

Three in four expats who met their partner before their relocation, moved to Costa Rica together — a significant percentage given the global average is only 44 percent. The friendly locals and highly rated work-life balance are just some of the reasons why expats decide to move to this tropical paradise. Unlike many other destinations that are mostly career-focused, the most popular reasons for moving to Costa Rica were for a better quality of life and a thirst for adventure.

3. Malta

Surprisingly, a considerable number of foreigners move to Malta for love, with 14 percent compared to the global average of 10 percent. Ranked first overall in the Working Abroad Index, as well as in its subcategories job satisfaction and work-life balance, the country proves to be perfect for those looking to improve their career prospect and romantic relationship simultaneously.

4. Philippines

Filipinos seem to be easy to connect to: 93 percent regard the friendliness of the local population positively and a striking 66 percent of non-single expatriates living in the country are also in a relationship with a local resident. A popular destination with retirees, the majority is aged 51 or older, with almost three out of four expats in the Philippines being men. One of the top 10 most welcoming countries for expatriates in general, it is no surprise that many of them have moved to Philippines to live with their partners.

5. Indonesia

Ranked sixth for personal finance, Indonesia appeals most to expats looking to make the most out of their money or for those looking for adventure. It seems expats here are not only well off, but also receive a warm welcome, with 86 percent regarding the local attitude towards foreign residents as friendly. In a similar vein, two in five expats have also found love locally and are in a relationship with an Indonesian.

6. Panama

While many expats move to Panama for a better quality of life or were motivated by financial reasons, love doesn’t seem to have been a main deciding factor regarding the relocation. In fact, the majority of those currently in a relationship and living in Panama are together with somebody from their country of origin and moved there together. With the country being ranked in the top 10 for personal happiness, a move to this beautiful place does not seem like a huge sacrifice though.

7. Thailand

In this tropical paradise, more than half the expat respondents who are still single agree that the expat lifestyle in Thailand does not impact having a relationship negatively. For those who are in a committed relationship, a relatively high percentage are together with a local resident whom they met after their move. Much like in the Philippines, the majority of expats living in Thailand are men.

8. Portugal

Considerably more women are charmed by life in Portugal, or at least there is a significant higher percentage of female expats to be found there (62 vs. 38 percent). Their admiration for the country comes to no surprise as it is considered the third most welcoming country for expats overall and ranks fifth in both, the Quality of Life and the Ease of Settling In Index. Although only just over half of the expats living here are in a committed relationship, they are some of the happiest, with almost nine out of ten of them overall satisfied with their love life.

9. Mexico

Mexico seems to be one of the most welcoming countries for expats, with over 60 percent of respondents going so far as to rate the friendliness of the local population as very good. What is more, whether it is the variety of leisure options or the friendliness of the local residents, expats here belong to the happiest in the world. Although Mexico ranks relatively poorly for working abroad, many moved because they wanted to live in this particular country or where looking for a better quality of life. And with 80 percent of expats content with their relationship, it seems they made the right choice.

Personally I’ve been an expat for over ten years now, and despite meeting lots of people and being incredibly social, I had myself struggled to find long lasting relationships, and this research combined with a change in my luck over the last year, has changed my opinion of the possibility of finding love overseas, and leaves me filled with hope for the other expats I know!