Mateus Leme, Brazil

With a population of just 27,033, this sleepy Brazilian municipality is far from the glitz and glamour of nearby Belo Horizonte. The estimated population has only grown to 31,364 as of 2020, suggesting a slow pace of development. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as Mateus Leme belongs to the Belo Horizonte metropolitan region and microregion - a tangled web of local governance. For those seeking a tranquil, off-the-beaten-path lifestyle, Mateus Leme may fit the bill, but anyone craving urban energy and amenities would be better off looking elsewhere.