The international consulting firm Henley & Partners has published its ranking of career opportunities for expats—the Henley Opportunity Index 2026—which covers 15 countries with well-established investment migration programs.
According to the study, the ranking includes the following countries: Switzerland, Singapore, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Austria, the United Arab Emirates, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Portugal, and Greece.
Switzerland topped the ranking with a total score of 86 out of 100. It was followed by Singapore (81), Australia (80), the United Kingdom and the United States (79 each), Canada (78), Austria (69), and the UAE (68). Hong Kong and Italy tied for ninth place (65 points each), while Latvia and Malta tied for tenth (62 points each).
At the bottom of the list are Portugal (61 points) and Greece (59 points), which bring up the rear.
The study’s authors note that the index is not a global comparison of all countries in the world, but rather a selection of jurisdictions offering the most developed programs for obtaining residency or citizenship through investment or merit.
The ranking is based on six equally weighted criteria: potential income, career growth opportunities, access to jobs at leading companies, quality of education, economic mobility, and overall quality of life. The calculations use data from national statistical agencies as well as international organizations, including the IMF, OECD, and ILO, and global labor market rankings.
