Saudi Arabia has ranked first among the world’s most financially rewarding destinations for expatriate workers, according to the Immigration Index 2026 report by Remitly, a financial services company, that weighed salaries against living costs across 82 countries.
The report analyzed countries across 34 indicators, including purchasing power, housing costs, healthcare, transportation, safety, and the size of existing immigrant communities. Saudi Arabia led the cost-of-living balance category with 43.5 points out of 65, ahead of Bangladesh in second place and the United States in third. Norway and Denmark rounded out the top five.
The report attributed Saudi Arabia’s top ranking to what it called “exceptional performance” in purchasing power and mortgage affordability. The combination of relatively high wages, no income tax on residents, and lower housing costs compared to major global economic hubs makes the kingdom a compelling destination for workers seeking financial stability, the report said.
Other Gulf states also performed strongly. Oman placed sixth globally in the cost-of-living balance category, while the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranked among the top five most family-friendly destinations for expats, bolstered by its extensive network of international schools. The UAE also retained the top global spot for immigrant communities, with foreign-born residents making up roughly 88 percent of its population.
In the overall rankings, factoring in income opportunities, healthcare, safety, and infrastructure, Switzerland claimed the top spot, followed by Iceland, Luxembourg, Australia, and Germany. Spain led for family-friendliness, Singapore was rated the world’s safest country, and Finland retained its standing as the happiest.
The report cautioned that affordability alone rarely drives migration decisions, with prospective expats also weighing healthcare quality, political stability, environmental conditions, and work-life balance.
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