Switzerland ranks as the world's best country to move to in Remitly's 2026 Immigration Index. Pictured here: Bern.gettyThinking about moving abroad in 2026? You’re not alone. Last year, more people moved out of the U.S. than moved in, according to a recent Wall Street Journal report. So where should you go? Remitly’s new global Immigration Index has the answers.To identify the world’s best countries to move to—and ultimately the best countries to live in—the digital financial services company evaluated 82 destinations across 34 factors grouped into 16 categories that reflect the considerations people weigh when deciding where to relocate internationally.The rankings draw on data from the World Bank, the OECD and other international institutions. Among the factors considered are healthcare quality, earning potential, employment, public transportation, cost of living, environmental performance, political stability, parental leave, international schools, happiness and safety.Rather than relying on a single measure, the report combines the weighted categories into an overall score designed to identify the countries that offer the best overall quality of life for people considering a move abroad.“Choosing where to build a life abroad is one of the biggest decisions someone can make,” Ryan Riley, VP of marketing for EMEA and APAC at Remitly, said in a statement. “Our 2026 Immigration Index shows the broad mix of factors that migrants are weighing up when deciding where to move.” Here are the best countries to move to in 2026, plus the happiest, safest, healthiest, best countries for families, jobs, healthcare, public transportation, the environment and more.Overlooking the Limmat river in central Zurich, Switzerland, the best country to move to.gettyThe World’s Best Country To Move ToSwitzerland—which also topped another recent report on the best places to live—takes the No. 1 spot overall. The country performed consistently well across many of the categories measured in the Immigration Index, making it the best all-around destination for people considering a move abroad. “Strong earning potential, high safety standards, excellent healthcare and a well-established immigrant community combine to make it one of the most attractive destinations for immigrants globally,” write the authors of the report. Switzerland ranks No. 1 globally for earning potential and leads when it comes to safety (No. 3), energy performance (No. 4) and healthcare (No. 9). The report also notes that Switzerland benefits from a well-established international workforce, strong infrastructure and high wages.But there is one caveat, according to the report: “While it currently ranks in this spot, it should be noted that there is a referendum happening in June 2026 to limit the country’s population to 10 million, which could alter the country’s stance on immigration in 2027 and beyond. The Immigration Index takes into account current data and does not factor in items like this which may or may not pass.” The northern lights illuminate the sky in Iceland, one of the world's top 10 best countries to move to in Remitly's 2026 Immigration Index.gettyBest Countries To Move To: Europe Dominates Europe tops the rankings this year, claiming eight of the 10 best countries to move to. Top-ranking Switzerland is followed by Iceland (No. 2), Luxembourg (No. 3), Germany (No. 5), Ireland (No. 6), Denmark (No. 8), Norway (No. 9) and Spain (No. 10). Australia (No. 4) and the United States (No. 7) are the only non-European countries to make the top 10.Germany and Spain are also among the biggest movers this year. Germany climbs six places to No. 5 thanks to its high marks for healthcare, environmental sustainability and energy performance. Spain posts an even bigger jump, rising 11 places to crack the top 10 for the first time, buoyed by its family-friendly policies, affordable childcare, generous parental leave and strong access to international schools. Norway, by contrast, slips five places to No. 9 after ranking fourth last year.Switzerland tops Remitly's 2026 rankings for earning potential. Pictured: Zurich, Switzerland.gettyThe Best Countries To Move To For Jobs And Earning PotentialEconomic opportunity is one of the biggest factors for people considering a move abroad.Switzerland ranks No. 1 for earning potential, followed by Iceland, Luxembourg, Ireland and the Netherlands. According to the report, Switzerland’s high average salaries, relatively low income inequality and strong worker protections help place it at the top of the rankings.When it comes to employment, Thailand ranks first for the lowest unemployment, followed by Moldova, Cuba, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Poland and South Korea are new entrants to the top 10, with South Korea making one of the biggest jumps in the rankings.The report also measures cost-of-living balance, taking into account purchasing power, housing costs, rent affordability and restaurant prices. Saudi Arabia ranks No. 1 in that category, followed by Bangladesh, the United States, Norway and Denmark.Friends enjoy a winter day in Tampere, Finland, which ranks as the world's happiest country in Remitly's 2026 Immigration Index.GettyThe Happiest, Safest And Greenest CountriesWhile Switzerland has the highest overall score, several other countries top individual categories that many people consider just as important when choosing where to relocate.As in other reports that I’ve covered, Finland ranks as the world’s happiest country in the Remitly report, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and the Netherlands. Costa Rica climbs six places to rank sixth, while Mexico jumps an impressive 14 spots to crack the list of top 10 happiest countries.When it comes to safety, Singapore ranks No. 1, thanks to its combination of low crime and political stability. Iceland, Switzerland, Japan and Luxembourg round out the top five safest countries in the report. Environmental performance is another important consideration for people planning an international move. According to the report: “The latest Environmental Performance Index (EPI) shows that countries investing in environmental health, climate mitigation, and resilient infrastructure are likely better positioned to support economic stability and community well-being.” Northern Europe dominates the environmental rankings, with Iceland taking the No. 1 spot, followed by Finland at No. 2 and Sweden at No. 5. New Zealand (No. 3) and Australia (No. 4) are the only non-European countries in the top five.The report also introduces a new category for energy performance, with Denmark taking the top spot, followed by Sweden, Finland, Switzerland and Canada.In Remitly's 2026 ranking, Spain is the best country for families to move to. Pictured: Barcelona.gettyThe Best Countries To Move To For FamiliesFor families considering an international move, Spain takes the No. 1 spot, thanks to its combination of affordable childcare, generous parental leave policies and strong access to international schools.China ranks second, followed by the United States (No. 3), Sri Lanka (No. 4) and the United Arab Emirates (No. 5). The report notes that the family rankings include several new metrics, including parental leave and international schools, making direct comparisons with last year's results difficult. Spain's rise reflects its continued investment in family-friendly policies, including expanded parental leave beginning in 2026.For anyone focused on raising children abroad, see my recent report on the best cities in the world to raise a family.South Korea is the best country in the world for healthcare. Pictured: Cheonggyecheon Stream in Seoul.gettyThe Best Countries To Move To For Healthcare And Public TransportationHealthcare is another major consideration for people planning an international move.South Korea ranks No. 1 for healthcare, reflecting its universal healthcare system, strong health outcomes and relatively affordable costs. Australia, Canada, Sweden and Germany round out the top five, while the United States ranks sixth. The United States, despite its high healthcare costs, ranks sixth overall because of the quality of its healthcare system.When it comes to getting around, Luxembourg once again ranks No. 1 for public transportation, thanks in part to its free nationwide public transit system. Azerbaijan ranks second, followed by Cuba, Chile and Sri Lanka.Below are the full rankings, including the world’s 20 best countries to move to in 2026, plus the top 10 countries for happiness, safety, families, healthcare, earning potential, public transportation, environmental performance and more.Ranked: The 20 Best Countries To Move To In 2026SwitzerlandIcelandLuxembourgAustraliaGermanyIrelandUnited StatesDenmarkNorwaySpainNetherlandsFranceSwedenUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomCanadaFinlandSingaporeAustriaItalyDenmark is the world's second happiest country in Remitly's 2026 Immigration Index. Pictured: Copenhagen's colorful Nyhavn waterfront.gettyThe 10 Happiest Countries In The WorldFinlandDenmarkIcelandSwedenNetherlandsCosta RicaNorwayLuxembourgMexicoAustraliaThe 10 Safest Countries In The WorldSingaporeIcelandSwitzerlandJapanLuxembourgSloveniaNew ZealandDenmarkOmanNorwayIceland earns the highest environmental performance score in Remitly's 2026 Immigration Index. Pictured: Vestrahorn Mountain on the Stokksnes Peninsula.gettyThe 10 Most Environmentally Friendly CountriesIcelandFinlandNew ZealandAustraliaSwedenEstoniaNorwayIrelandLuxembourgGermanyChina places second on Remitly's 2026 list of the best countries for families. Pictured: a family enjoying a walk in a city park.gettyThe 10 Best Countries For FamiliesSpainChinaUnited StatesSri LankaUnited Arab EmiratesAustraliaBangladeshUnited KingdomIcelandCroatiaLuxembourg is among the world's top countries for earning potential in Remitly's 2026 Immigration Index. Pictured: Luxembourg City.gettyThe 10 Best Countries For Earning PotentialSwitzerlandIcelandLuxembourgIrelandNetherlandsAustraliaDenmarkNorwaySingaporeGermanyThailand has the lowest unemployment rate in Remitly's 2026 Immigration Index.gettyThe 10 Countries With The Lowest UnemploymentThailandMoldovaCubaUnited Arab EmiratesKuwaitPhilippinesGuatemalaPolandJapanSouth KoreaSaudi Arabia is among the best countries for cost-of-living balance in Remitly's 2026 Immigration Index. Pictured: Riyadh's King Abdullah Financial District.gettyThe 10 Best Countries For Cost-Of-Living BalanceSaudi ArabiaBangladeshUnited StatesNorwayDenmarkOmanPakistanLuxembourgIrelandNepalAustralia is one of the world's top countries for healthcare in Remitly's 2026 Immigration Index. Pictured here: Perth.gettyThe 10 Best Countries For HealthcareSouth KoreaAustraliaCanadaSwedenGermanyUnited StatesNorwayFranceSwitzerlandJapanThe 10 Best Countries For Public TransportationLuxembourgAzerbaijanCubaChileSri LankaEstoniaCzech RepublicSingaporeSwitzerlandLatviaDenmark earns the highest energy performance score in Remitly's 2026 Immigration Index. Pictured: offshore wind turbines near Copenhagen.gettyThe 10 Best Countries For Energy PerformanceDenmarkSwedenFinlandSwitzerlandCanadaGermanyFranceUnited KingdomNorwayLuxembourgMORE FROM FORBES:ForbesHow A Former Luxury Hotel Executive Is Reimagining Cruising For A New GenerationBy Laura Begley BloomForbesThe 30 Most Walkable Cities In The World—According To A 2026 GuruWalk ReportBy Laura Begley Bloom