In recent years, the rise of the digital nomad has taken over the globe – with many seizing the opportunity to not just work from home, but to work from anywhere in the world. With the world opening up again and travel on the rise, UpCounsel wanted to find out the world’s ultimate countries to relocate to.
Having created an index score based on variables including passport strength, Human Development Index and migrant population, UpCounsel.com can now reveal a list of the top 10 countries to relocate to, as well as the bottom five.
Key findings from the data:
- Singapore is crowned the world’s best country to relocate to, with a relocation score of 94.9/100.
- Germany comes in second place, with a score of 92.4/100.
- Afghanistan is the worst country to relocate to, with a final score of just 6.1/100.
The top 10 countries to relocate to
| Rank | Country | Percentage of migrants as part of the country’s total population (%) | Human Development Index*
(HDI) |
Total number of visa-free
destinations |
Final relocation
score (/100) |
| 1 | Singapore | 43.1 | 0.938 | 192 | 94.9 |
| 2 | Germany | 18.8 | 0.947 | 190 | 92.4 |
| =3 | Switzerland | 28.8 | 0.955 | 186 | 92.0 |
| =3 | Luxembourg | 47.6 | 0.916 | 189 | 92.0 |
| 4 | Sweden | 19.8 | 0.945 | 188 | 91.3 |
| 5 | Ireland | 17.6 | 0.955 | 187 | 90.5 |
| 6 | Australia | 30.1 | 0.944 | 185 | 90.4 |
| 7 | New Zealand | 28.7 | 0.931 | 186 | 89.7 |
| 8 | Norway | 15.7 | 0.957 | 186 | 89.0 |
| 9 | Austria | 19.3 | 0.922 | 188 | 89.2 |
| 10 | Liechtenstein | 67.9 | 0.919 | 178 | 88.1 |
UpCounsel.com found that Singapore is the world’s best country to relocate to, with an overall expat score of 94.9/100. With its high Human Development Index* (HDI) of 0.938, a 43.1% immigrant population and 192 visa-free destinations, the highest of all countries measured, Singapore is a hotspot for international residents.
Germany ranks in second place, with a final relocation score of 92.4/100. While it has a smaller migrant population (18.8%), Germany’s HDI of 0.947 and high number of visa-free destinations put it in pole position as a choice for those looking to seek new pastures.
Switzerland and Luxembourg tie in third place (92.0/100). With Switzerland’s exceptionally high HDI of 0.955 and Luxembourg’s international migrant residents making up more than half of the population, each country offers unique opportunities for newcomers and nomads alike.
Ireland and Norway both boast high HDI scores (0.955 and 0.957 respectively) at fifth and eighth place in the top ranking, meaning their education services, life expectancies and income per capita are some of the best in the world.
Liechtenstein follows up in tenth place with an expat score of 88.1/100. With international residents making up 67.9% of its population, expatriates are sure to feel at home here.
The five worst countries to relocate to
| Rank | Country | Percentage of migrants as part of the country’s total population (%) | Human Development Index*
(HDI) |
Total number of visa-free
destinations |
Final digital nomad
score (/100) |
| 1 | Afghanistan | 0.4 | 0.511 | 26 | 6.1 |
| 2 | Eritrea | 0.4 | 0.459 | 43 | 6.2 |
| 3 | Haiti | 0.2 | 0.510 | 48 | 8.1 |
| 4 | Yemen | 1.3 | 0.470 | 33 | 10.7 |
| 5 | Myanmar | 0.1 | 0.583 | 46 | 10.9 |
Our press release with more information including methodology can be found below.
By Georgina georgina@journalistic.org