In this article, we’ll take a look at the 25 Most Unfriendly Countries in the World. For a quick overview of the top ten, head over to the 10 Most Unfriendly Countries in the World.

The world can be a wonderful place, full of opportunities for discovering unique cultures, fascinating histories, and charming landscapes. However, our experiences across different countries can swing from warm, friendly encounters to feeling somewhat unwelcome.

This doesn’t mean a country inherently harbors unfriendly citizens. The concept of friendliness is subjective, which can be a blend of cultural misunderstandings, historical context, and personal bias.

For instance, certain traditions or communication styles may appear unfriendly to outsiders, but they might be social norms for locals. In Nordic countries like Finland and Demark, people value personal space and privacy, but tourists may see it as unfriendly behavior.

The Happiest Countries in the World report confirms this cultural conflict, showing that Nordic countries top the charts in terms of citizen happiness. But they may not always rank high on the expat’s friendliness scale. When it comes to the most visited countries in the world, France, Spain, Mexico, and Türkiye seem to top the results.

Friendless and Tourism Industry

Tourism is considered the backbone of many economies around the globe. The direct contributions to a nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through visitor expenditures on accommodation, food and drink services, entertainment, shopping, and transportation can be extensive.

In 2022, the travel and tourism sector contributed 7.6% to the global GDP and supported about 22 million new jobs. This highlights the massive potential of tourism as a driver of economic growth and job creation.

For example, the Caribbean region’s tourism industry contributed approximately 13.7% to its GDP and created around 17.1 million jobs in 2023. Likewise, the tourism industry in Thailand contributed 19.7% to its GDP in 2019. This is attributed to Thailand's vibrant culture, exotic beaches, and renowned hospitality, which attract millions of tourists each year.