Many people around the world have worked from home at some point over the past 12 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. How pleasant an experience it's been depends on a whole host of factors. Internet phone provider Circle Loop has ranked the best countries for working remotely in its Digital Nomad Index, which is based on eight factors, from broadband speed and cost to average rental price for a one-bedroom apartment, and World Happiness Index score. Click or scroll through to discover the best countries to work at home in.

Like every other country in the top 30, Slovakia offers a working holiday visa – an essential for the digital nomad – and is renowned for its affordable cost of living, with the typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment at just $572 (£419). Broadband is cheap too and internet speeds are zippy, averaging 90.65 Mbps (25 is the benchmark for fast-speed internet). Plus the country scores a decent 6.28 on the Happiness Index, well above the global average of 5.41.

Estonia is an even more attractive destination for remote workers. Renowned for its beautiful countryside and charming medieval towns and villages, the little Baltic nation is economical, with monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment averaging just $532 (£393). Broadband is good and the sizeable migrant population indicates the country is welcoming towards expats.

A richly diverse country blessed with everything from lofty mountains and lush forests to stark desert, Chile is the most economically advanced nation in South America, yet the cost of living is refreshingly low – you can expect to pay a reasonable $423 (£310) per month for a one-bedroom apartment. Average broadband speeds are excellent at 140.23 Mbps, but mobile phone speeds are the slowest in the top 30 at just 19.21 Mbps, though this is still quite fast.

Next up is Slovenia. The Central European nation, which is known for its breathtaking scenery and unique Germanic and Latin-influenced Slavic culture, is well geared up for remote workers infrastructure-wise, with more than adequate internet and mobile speeds guaranteed. Slovenia also scores highly for its affordable living costs and relatively large community of expats, which make up 12.2% of the population.

Coincidentally, the typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Poland is bang on Slovenia's average of $568 (£417), placing it among the most inexpensive countries in Europe for cost of living. The index also factors in the annual number of Google searches for remote jobs in each country, and Poland excels in this respect, with potential expats no doubt enticed by its friendly people, heritage, landscapes and food.

Tempted by the Czech Republic's historic towns and cities, captivating countryside and cheap beer? Broadband speeds, while better than satisfactory, are actually the second-slowest in the top 30, but the Central European nation more than makes up for this thanks to its moderate living costs and high Happiness Index score of 6.91.

English-speaking Malta has a balmy year-round summer climate, gorgeous beaches, terrific food and wine, and beautiful architecture, not to mention those all-important fast broadband and mobile data speeds, as well as a thriving expat population. The only downside? The cost of renting a place to live which, while not excessive, is on the high side compared to other countries in this round-up.

Given Latvia has a flourishing IT sector and is among the first countries in the world to roll out 5G, average broadband and mobile speeds are unsurprisingly rapid, which is a bonus for expat workers. The same goes for the Baltic State's unspoilt nature, pretty towns and cities with handsome Art Nouveau architecture, and inexpensive cost of living. The weak link is the nation's Happiness Index score, which is the lowest in the top 30.

Famed for its chocolate, waffles, gorgeous buildings, music festivals and more, Belgium has much to offer the remote-working expat, including fast internet and mobile speeds, a substantial migrant population and a high Happiness Index Score. Living costs aren't the cheapest however, with monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment and broadband packages averaging $860 (£633) and $44.49 (£32.74) respectively.

Israel's climate, natural beauty, standard of living, cuisine, and cultural and religious significance are big pulls for digital nomads, along with the Middle Eastern country's cheap, speedy broadband and expat community, which is huge, making up 23% of the population. Housing is pricey though; the typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is a rather hefty $1,050 (£773).

Despite the relatively high cost of living, expats who come for Austria's jaw-dropping Alpine scenery, elegant cities, classical music and delectable cakes, have an easy time doing their job remotely here, which is welcoming towards foreign workers. In fact, migrants make up 19.9% of the population. Austria also has some of the fastest average broadband and mobile speeds in the region.

Finland is the most contented country in the world with the highest Happiness Index score of them all at 7.81. While not the most affordable place on the planet, infrastructure and public services are outstanding in the country, which is very appealing to digital nomads. And its appeal is only boosted by Finland's pretty cities, forests and lakes.

The aptly-dubbed 'Land of Smiles' also scores well above average on the Happiness Index, and has so much to lure expat remote workers aside from the amazing culture, food, climate and beaches. Thailand offers very fast internet which, along with rent and other living costs, is very reasonably priced indeed.

Broadband and mobile speeds are almost as fast in Lithuania, and monthly packages are the second-cheapest in the top 30, averaging out at $11.14 (£8.20), reflecting the cost of living in the country, which is among the most affordable in Europe. Other key pros for digital nomads range from the low crime rate to the lovely countryside.

Spain's sunny climate, beaches, culture, cuisine and nightlife make it a perennially popular digital nomad destination. But what really makes the remote worker stay is the Mediterranean country's reliable, fast internet, economical cost of living and supportive expat community. No wonder Spain ranks sixth in the world for remote job searches.

Singapore is another global hotspot for digital nomads, with migrants making up 37.1% of the population. The immaculately clean English-speaking city-state has an enviable infrastructure and the fastest broadband speed in the world, averaging an outstanding 229.42 Mbps. That said, living costs are high and the typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is an eye-watering $2,174 (£1.6k), which is the most expensive in the top 30.

Pristine landscapes, a laid-back lifestyle and fascinating culture that blends Māori, Polynesian and British traditions are among the reasons foreign workers flock to New Zealand, as well as the speedy internet, large expat population and glowing Happiness Index score. The sole glaring drawback is the cost of living, which is disappointingly high.

Affluent Luxembourg is an even more expensive place to live than New Zealand, with monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment averaging a budget-busting $1,770 (£1.3k). But, like New Zealand, the compact Western European country compensates for this with high internet and mobile speeds, general acceptance of migrants, and strong happiness levels.

Back to Central Europe and Hungary has great culture, weather, food and wine, and the cost of living there is, in contrast to Luxembourg, reassuringly low. The typical monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is only $414 (£305), while broadband, which is extremely speedy at 169.52 Mbps, costs just $16.91 (£12.44) per month on average in the scenic country.

Echoing other Scandinavian nations, Norway garners a high Happiness Index score and has some of the best living standards and advanced infrastructure on the planet. But for expats looking to work remotely, the cost of living in the Nordic country can be punishing – broadband will typically set you back $70.97 (£52.23) per month, and monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,171 (£862).

Germany has similar living standards and infrastructure but cheaper living costs, with monthly broadband bills averaging $28.74 (£21.15) and rent for a one-bedroom apartment typically $886 (£652) per month. The large numbers of remote job searches and significant migrant community in the country are testament to its enduring expat appeal.

Switzerland has long been a favourite of expats although living costs are very high – on average, broadband comes in at $72.10 (£53.10) per month, the priciest in the top 30, and monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,661 (£1.2k). But that doesn't put off the multitudes of digital nomads, who just can't resist the wealthy European country's many charms.

A fabulous climate, relaxed lifestyle and everything from beaches, desert and rainforest to buzzing cities make Australia a seriously desirable destination for remote workers. Other pluses include mega-fast broadband and mobile speeds – the nation has the zippiest mobile speeds in the world – and an enormous expat community. The biggest drawback is the high cost of living in the country.

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The Netherlands has bags of digital nomad appeal. Almost everyone speaks English, broadband and mobile speeds are superb, the country has a high Happiness Index score and quality of life is top-notch. Be that as it may, living costs are steep; the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,304 (£960).

If you're captivated by France's fantastically rich culture, exquisite food and wine, sublime countryside and other famous draws, you'll be delighted to discover the country is ideal for homeworking, with extra-fast broadband and mobile speeds de rigueur, a firmly-established expat community and living costs that are not overly expensive for Western Europe.

The second-happiest country in the world, Denmark has all the ingredients for a contented life. Think bustling, fun cities, pleasant countryside, little poverty and low crime. As well as enjoying the best the nation has to offer, remote workers can rest assured they will have a fast broadband connection and receive a warm welcome, but may balk at the high cost of living.

Living costs are cheaper in Sweden, giving the country the edge on its Scandinavian neighbours. The Nordic nation has a similar exceptional standard of living, vibrant cities and awesome natural landscapes, along with very speedy broadband and mobile, a big expat population and a high Happiness Index score.

Romania is hands-down the best destination for the roving remote worker on a tight budget. The southeastern European country boasts high living standards at low prices – broadband and mobile speeds are extremely fast, yet monthly packages cost just $8.15 (£6) on average, while rent for a one-bedroom apartment is only $349 (£257) a month typically. In fact, Romania has the most affordable cost of living in the top 30.

Brexit may have put off some digital nomads relocating to the UK, but with annual Google searches for remote work in the nation coming in at a massive 68,400, the country remains a major magnet for migrants. Perhaps this is no surprise as it ticks almost every remote working box, apart from cost of living, which is high, especially in London and the southeast of England, where rents are known to be very expensive.

The country best-suited to working from home, Canada is a veritable paradise for the remote employee or freelancer, beating its neighbour the US, which placed 52nd on the index, spectacularly in this respect. Even though living costs aren't cheap in Canada, all the other things that make life easier for expats are there in abundance, from super-fast internet to a welcoming attitude towards migrants.

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