Singapore ranks second in 2026 global relocation index

The city-state topped the entrepreneur and tax-friendliness rankings but scored poorly for housing affordability.

Singapore ranked second in the 2026 Rumavi Global Relocation Index, scoring 72.6 out of 100 and emerging as the highest-ranked Southeast Asian market.

Estonia topped the overall ranking with 72.8, narrowly ahead of Singapore, whilst Malaysia placed third with 72.0. Portugal and Taiwan completed the top five with scores of 71.6 and 71.4, respectively.

Lithuania ranked sixth and Hong Kong seventh, both with 71.0. They were followed by St Kitts and Nevis at 70.3, Czechia at 69.9, and Malta at 69.8.

Singapore ranked first globally for entrepreneurs and tax-friendliness. It also placed sixth for families, 27th for retirees and 41st for digital nomads.

The city-state scored highly for currency and banking stability, climate-risk resilience and digital infrastructure. However, housing and general affordability were amongst its weakest areas, alongside its pathway to permanent residency.

The index assesses 192 countries and territories using 24 metrics across financial and tax conditions, livability and health, safety and stability, and settling and opportunity. The measures are reweighted for six relocation profiles, including families, retirees, entrepreneurs and digital nomads.

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