The study highlighted that South Africa's charm goes far beyond its people's good humour. The country offers an envious lifestyle that blends stunning natural beauty with everyday affordability.

If you’ve ever walked down any street in South Africa, chances are you’ve been greeted by a smiling stranger, shared a joke while waiting in a queue, or been treated like family by someone you only met five minutes ago.

Now, it’s official: South Africa is the friendliest country in the world.

According to a global study by financial services provider Remitly, the Rainbow Nation has secured the top spot, outshining famous hospitality hotspots like Greece, Croatia and Mexico.

To find the world's most welcoming nations, researchers surveyed over 3 000 people across 27 countries, using the "agreeableness" section of the widely recognised Big Five Personality Test.