Top 10 Countries for Immigration in 2025-2026

Introduction — Embarking on a “New Life” Journey with a Comfortable Heart

At some stage in life, we might ask ourselves a question: “If I were to choose again, a country, a community, a daily life, where would I choose?” Relocating is not just about moving house; it is a rethinking of lifestyle, community belonging, and long-term planning. In 2025, the world is undergoing multiple transformations in population, technology, economy, climate, and social structures. Against this backdrop, choosing a “suitable” country for relocation is no longer just about language and institutions, but also about digital connectivity, public services, immigrant communities, cost of living, and future sustainability. This article evaluates 82 countries based on the latest public data (e.g., Remitly’s “Immigration Index 2025”), integrating 24 indicators such as healthcare, employment, digital connectivity, cost of living, and immigrant friendliness. If you are preparing to take the step of relocation, we hope this article can be that warm window in your heart, offering both rational data and emotional perspectives.

Methodology & Data Dimensions: What We Look At and Why

When deciding “which countries are worth relocating to,” relying solely on “high income” or “beautiful scenery” is not enough. We have selected the following key dimensions:

Employment / Income Potential:

Does a country provide stable job opportunities with room for advancement?

Public Services (Healthcare, Education, Transportation):

Immigrant families place particular importance on this.

Living Environment & Safety:

Including crime rates, social trust, digital infrastructure, and environmental quality.

Immigrant Community & Integration Opportunities:

Whether there are established immigrant communities, language adaptation, and social acceptance.

Future Sustainability:

For example, whether a country has sustainable energy, digital connectivity, and climate adaptability.

Composite Score:

For instance, Remitly quantifies these indicators to produce a ranking out of 100. This guide is based on the above methodology, selecting the top ten countries from 82 that are the most outstanding, with the most complete data, suitable for general relocation choices. Reminder: Everyone’s priorities are different; you need to further refine your selection based on “what I value most.”

Top Ten Rankings Overview

The following table is excerpted from Remitly’s “Immigration Index 2025” top ten countries and their scores (out of 100):

Rank	Country	Composite Score	Key Highlights
1	Iceland	58.4	Superior environment, high happiness index, good digital connectivity.
2	Switzerland	55.8	High income, high quality of life, stable social system.
3	Luxembourg	55.7	Small European country, international community, excellent benefits.
4	Norway	53.7	Nordic welfare, high security, strong sense of safety.
5	United Arab Emirates	52.5	Immigrant-friendly, high salaries, concentration of international metropolises.
6	Ireland	52.4	English-speaking country, many tech multinationals, relatively convenient immigration pathways.
7	United States	52.2	Abundant job opportunities, high income potential, but complex systems and large variations in living standards.
8	Denmark	52.0	Nordic model, high social trust, excellent quality of life.
9	Netherlands	52.0	Widespread English, convenient transportation, active immigrant communities.
10	Australia	51.7	Pleasant climate, mature immigration pathways, attractive lifestyle.

Chart: Visualizing the scores of the top ten countries.

In-Depth Interpretation: Top Ten Countries + Real-Life Stories

Iceland: A Life of Serenity, Modernity, and Northern Lights

Living in Iceland is not just about residing in a “safe, welfare-rich” country; it also means “finding a balance between nature and social services.” Iceland scores the highest in Remitly’s index (58.4 points), performing particularly well in digital connectivity (broadband, online banking services), public safety, and happiness index.

Suitable for: Those pursuing the highest quality of life, willing to adapt to the climate, and valuing environmental sustainability.

Considerations: High cost of living, language (while English is widespread, local Icelandic culture is strong).

Switzerland: High Income, Stability, and a Multicultural Hub

Switzerland ranks second with 55.8 points. It offers the highest average annual income, a mature financial system, and convenient transportation.

Suitable for: Those valuing children’s education, high-income families, and international career seekers.

Considerations: Complex residency permit systems, extremely high cost of living (especially in major cities).

Luxembourg: The Advantages of a Small Country at the Heart of Europe

Luxembourg scores 55.7 points. Though small in size and population, it has a high degree of internationalization and favorable tax policies.

Suitable for: Those wanting to be in Europe but away from large-country competition, seeking quality public services without the pressure of megacities.

Considerations: Cultural and language mix (Luxembourgish/French/German), potential housing shortages.

Norway: A Model of Nordic Welfare

Norway scores 53.7 points. It features high welfare, low poverty, and high social trust.

Suitable for: Families, those seeking a stable life, and valuing social equity and natural environment.

Considerations: High tax burden, harsh climate, short winter daylight hours.

United Arab Emirates: Rapid Urbanization and a High-Proportion Immigrant Society

The UAE scores 52.5 points. Represented by Dubai and Abu Dhabi, it has a high immigrant population and strong international character.

Suitable for: Career changers, expatriate families, and those pursuing high salaries and cosmopolitan urban life.

Considerations: Naturalization paths are less mature than in European countries, cultural adaptation required, with daily language mainly English/Arabic.

Ireland: English + Tech + EU Platform

Ireland scores 52.4 points. It offers an English-speaking environment, numerous multinational companies, and advantageous EU membership.

Suitable for: Tech professionals, English-speaking families, and those wanting to retain EU access.

Considerations: Rainy climate, high housing costs in urban areas, some immigrant communities are still developing.

United States: Many Opportunities but High Complexity

The US scores 52.2 points. It attracts due to abundant opportunities, a large market, and diverse entrepreneurial paths. Suitable for: Those willing to embrace challenges, industry leaders, and seekers of breakthroughs through entrepreneurship or tech. Considerations: High healthcare costs, complex visa and immigration pathways, large regional variations (quality of life differs by state and city).

Denmark: Nordic Model × Quality of Life

Denmark scores 52.0 points. It boasts high social trust, excellent public services, and a comfortable pace of life.

Suitable for: Those valuing family, wanting a Nordic-style environment, and adaptable to small-language/bilingual settings.

Considerations: Language (Danish is prevalent with strong localization), relatively high tax burden.

Netherlands: International, Transport-Friendly, and English-Accessible

The Netherlands scores 52.0 points. It features widespread English, a central European location, and open transportation and culture.

Suitable for: Cross-national families, those adaptable to multiculturalism, and seekers of a European base with low language barriers.

Considerations: High housing prices and rents in major cities (e.g., Amsterdam), active effort needed for cultural integration.

Australia: Sunshine, Lifestyle, and Mature Immigration Pathways

Australia scores 51.7 points. It offers a pleasant climate, abundant outdoor living, and a well-established immigration system.

Suitable for: Those who love the outdoors, prefer an English-speaking environment, and seek a relatively relaxed pace of life.

Considerations: Remote geography (far from Europe/Americas), high cost of living in some cities.

How to Choose the “Most Suitable” Country for You?

Here is a simple decision framework (you can customize the weights):

Step 1: Identify your top three priorities (example)

• Quality of healthcare system: _____ (e.g., 30%)

• Job opportunities/income potential: _____ (e.g., 40%)

• Family and children’s education: _____ (e.g., 30%)

Step 2: Score each country on these three dimensions (1–10 points) Example: Iceland (Healthcare: 9, Employment: 7, Education: 8) → Weighted score = Healthcare 9×0.30 + Employment 7×0.40 + Education 8×0.30 = 8.0 points. Do the same for each candidate country.

Step 3: Consider “relocation barriers” = visa/language/cost/cultural adaptation Assign a “relocation difficulty coefficient” to each country (e.g., 1.0 = easy, 1.5 = medium, 2.0 = high difficulty). Then calculate the “practical feasibility score” as [Score ÷ Difficulty Coefficient]. Countries with high scores and low difficulty are your priority targets.

Tips

• Do not overlook language: Even if a country ranks high, if you or your family struggle with language adaptation, the “integration” cost will be high.

• For long-term relocation (e.g., 10+ years): Focus on “naturalization paths” and “sustainability of family education” rather than just initial high salary.

• For short-term moves (3-5 years) or trials: The activity of immigrant communities, ease of job mobility, and lifestyle adaptability are more important.

• Consider “reverse migration” or return possibilities: If you might return or move elsewhere, choose countries that offer “path flexibility”.

Common Misconceptions & Real Reminders

• Misconception 1: High ranking = “immediately buy a house/settle” as the best option. Reality: Visa policies, housing costs, and cultural adaptation can be obstacles.

• Misconception 2: Only look at “country rankings,” ignoring “city differences.” For example, life in large vs. small towns in the US, Germany, or Australia varies greatly.

• Misconception 3: Neglect the needs of “family members.” Spouse employment opportunities, children’s education, language adaptation, and elderly healthcare needs can alter your priorities.

Real reminder: Even if a country performs well on the list, always visit in person, communicate with local immigrant communities, and verify the job market in your industry there.

Conclusion — The Choice Is Difficult, but Only for Peace of Mind

In the journey of preparing to relocate, we often treat the “map” as the destination, but we should regard “each morning in a new life” as the goal. “I wake up in country X”—that moment of peace, the sense of community belonging, children’s smiles, partner’s job satisfaction, and your own comfort walking on the street—these are the true measures. We hope this article not only provides data on “which countries rank high” but also offers perspective on “which countries suit you.”

Data Sources

Remitly — The Immigration Index 2025. Remitly

WorldPopulationReview — Immigration by Country. World Population Review

Henley Passport Index . wiki