With 92 per cent of expats considering the climate a potential benefit, Malta leads the list of countries to move to for better weather, according to a major survey of people who live and work abroad.

A newly published report by InterNations, based on the annual Expat Insider survey of more than 14,000 people in 191 countries, shows more than two-thirds of expats say the climate in their new home is a factor to consider before moving abroad.

90 per cent state it is easy to settle down there, while the global average is 59 per cent

This means that immigrants are just as likely to think about the weather as they do about the costs of living and general living standards when they contemplate their new home.

And according to the report, Malta leads the way – ahead of Costa Rica and Cyprus – as the most promising destination for sun lovers looking to move abroad.

“Under the Maltese sun, it is very easy for expats to settle down: in fact, nine out of ten expats in Malta state that it is easy to settle down there, while the global average is only 59 per cent,” the report says.

“This is surely helped along by the fact that almost seven out of ten expats in Malta (69 per cent) find it easy to make local friends, compared to a global average of only 45 percent.”

A British expat who is quoted in the report said of Malta: “Fantastic weather, ease of making friends and contacts, beautiful scenery.”

The report suggests that a great climate may have a positive impact on quality of life, with several of the top countries for climate – Malta, Costa Rica, Spain, Portugal and Ecuador – also among the top 20 for general quality of life.

However, a sunny climate is not everything: Cyprus, Greece, Portugal and Brazil are great for relaxing in the sun but rank among the 10 worst countries for working abroad, largely due to concerns over the economy and job market.

Malta has scored high in the Expat Insider rankings since it was included in 2015, when it placed first as an overall destination. Malta’s ranking dipped to second place last year, with Taiwan taking first.