Uruguay
Uruguay clocks in around 4 cows per person. Uruguay also produces soybean, timberland, fruit, a growing vineyard scene and row crops as well as fishing capacity. Uruguay sits on an aquifer too that makes sure they’re not going to have water shortages anytime soon either.
Uruguay only holds around 3.1M residents, and half of them reside in the capital, Montevideo. Uruguay exports 10% of its produce, the rest, stays within its borders. Don’t believe me? Go to the grocery store, pick something up and turn it around–most items are Uruguayan made.
Uruguay has almost 95% of its energy security met through renewable energy, making them remarkably resilient if the natural gas ships stop showing up.
Falkland Islands
Isla Malvinas for the Argentines who still haven’t gotten over the war. This is going to be a shocker for many.
Falkland Islands have approximately 7 sheep per person; which is fantastic to not only stay warm on this windy South Atlantic country but for food supplies. Not only this, they depend heavily on seafood for their food supplies–I’m no aquatic biologist but I think that will remain intact no matter what the Nasdaq ends up doing.
At just under 3,000 year round residents, they are far more stable and self-sustainable as other countries. To boot, they are currently exploring the potential for gold deposits on the island and have known large oil reserves offshore that are currently being explored.
They also are far off the grid and one of the closest to Antarctica-level safety of fully blown World War of hypersonic missiles without living on a glacier.
Cayman Islands
Woah. Did I shock you with this one?
Cayman Islands are the 5th largest financial hub in the world–one of the largest holders of US debt–the number one domicile for investment funds in the world and officially a major holder of US treasuries.
They are not only a country with widespread tax benefits but there are fundamental benefits that people do not fully appreciate.
- Cayman is in some sense a true free market. It’s immensely expensive to gain entry there as a permanent resident, the expectation is that you are a proven, accomplished individual to come to their shores to stay. Otherwise, the expansion of the island requires imported workers (half of all residents are on work visas… still better than sewer-smelling Dubai). When demand spikes for workers, it is met with new citizens, when it falls, these individuals, unless they can earn their keep, are flushed out again. The welfare state does not exist here at all.
- Likewise, there are around 140 nationalities in Cayman Islands who all move for similar reasons and lines of work. It has made the place an interesting meddling of rather “top brass” people internationally–yet, crucially, it’s a small island; small enough so that you get to know your neighbors. With the sheer number of international groups coupled with the closeness of the island is a great barrier against crime and mobs developing.
- Caymanians, (I cannot stress this enough) very much value two matters; their zero income tax and their privacy. This will not change in your lifetime.
- Cayman is extremely wealthy– the locals there will be able to continue to send the ships for fuel and food whereas the other islands will be outbid for imports–so unfortunately they simply won’t show up.
- The reality is that deep pockets are leaving North America, mostly the United States and are moving to the islands–and it’s becoming more expensive and difficult for your “layman” to move to the islands. We’re seeing a concentration of people with intellect, networks and capital moving in there–people with the means to create, build and support a situation in the event of a crisis.
- Cayman has been tested already given changes to their tax laws and hurricanes in the past. This has forced them to cover a lot of problems now before a real crisis were to develop. For the same reason, I argue that Mexico is in a better position than Canada and the USA–Mexico is living a perpetual crisis and are therefore more resilient in their day-to-day.
Iceland
Iceland generates nearly 100% of its electricity from renewable sources, primarily hydropower (~70–73%) and geothermal power (~27–30%). Likewise, their food security, especially given their population of 320,000 is surprisingly stable. Iceland’s food sources are heavily influenced by its geography, relying on high-quality local seafood, free-roaming lamb, and extensive dairy production
Russia
What the … The keyboard must have mistyped this for me. Nope. Russia is a country, despite all of its numerous weaknesses is a place that makes sense to wait out a number of issues.
Russia, for those likely reading this, is extremely affordable and can offer a shocking 1st world lifestyle. I’ve come across real estate in St. Petersburg Russia for $5M USD that would easily be >$50M USD in the United States. Taxes are lower there compared to the USA, too.
More importantly for the sake of economic hardship, Russia is an agricultural and hydrocarbon powerhouse. They also have plenty of gold for their own financial stability and longevity, they have an abundance of land and despite not having the best private property rights, a massive amount of land to camp out upon.
Russia is also welcoming to foreigners, with new programs being launched to attract them escaping the Western collapse, unlike what is portrayed–yes you”ll find the old, grumpy know-it-all communist who has hardly anything to his name that may be antagonistic but most of the people you would likely interact with would be friendly and engaging.
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Places not mentioned but that will remain wealth havens
- Monaco
- Liechtenstein
- Saint Barthélemy
- Bermuda
All of these countries have the 1st world luxury, amenities, conveniences that jive with upper class lifestyles. Furthermore, given their proximity to industries such as banking, insurance, wealth management, gambling, luxury tourism, investment structures, they will always have a physical presence of professionals.
My opinion? They’re going to have some trouble in the short-to-mid term.
