In the new global study Immigration Index 2026 conducted by Remitly, the most attractive countries for relocation in 2026 have been identified. Experts analyzed 82 countries based on 34 criteria, including the cost of living (rent, mortgage, food prices), purchasing power, healthcare quality, safety, average salaries, and overall happiness index.
This is reported by Finway
Top Countries for Immigration in 2026
This year’s top position is held by Switzerland, which was second last year. The country has become a leader due to the highest earning potential in the world, a high level of safety, a developed healthcare system, modern infrastructure, as well as a large expat community and a wide selection of international educational institutions.
“Switzerland has secured the top spot due to its exceptional earning potential (the country ranks first in the world in this indicator), high safety standards, strong healthcare, and developed infrastructure. Additionally, the country has a large expat community and a wide range of international schools.”
Second place in the ranking goes to Iceland, which was the leader last year. Iceland remains one of the safest countries with the happiest population, but this year it has fallen due to a smaller number of educational institutions for foreigners. Luxembourg rounds out the top three, making it ideal for those seeking stability and a high standard of living in the heart of Europe.
The top ten also includes Australia (4th place), Germany (5th), Ireland (6th), the USA (7th), Denmark (8th), Norway (9th), and Spain (10th).
Countries with the Best Balance of Cost of Living
In addition to the overall ranking, researchers separately assessed countries with the best balance between salaries and living expenses. Leading this list is Saudi Arabia, which demonstrates a favorable ratio of salaries to the cost of living and a lower financial burden on homeowners.
Among European countries, Norway holds the highest position in this indicator (4th place), followed by Denmark (5th). The top 10 also includes Bangladesh (2nd place), the USA (3rd), Oman (6th), Pakistan (7th), Nepal (10th), as well as Luxembourg (8th) and Ireland (9th).
It is worth noting that according to the global index for 2026, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, topped the list of the best cities for entrepreneurs.