Which Countries Are Becoming the Top Choices to Relocate?

Migration trends today are shaped not only by jobs, but also by affordability, safety, digital nomad culture, and quality-of-life rankings.

A 2024 global report by 1st Move International, combined with supporting data from OECD migration indicators, the UN World Happiness Report, the Global Peace Index, and Google search trends, reveals which countries people are most actively researching to relocate to.

Countries scoring high on safety, income, job demand, healthcare quality, and residency pathways consistently dominate search interest and global migration flows.

Canada consistently ranks as the most searched country for relocation, crossing 1.5 million relocation-related Google searches. It offers a rare mix of strong wages, universal healthcare, multicultural cities, and clear permanent residency pathways.

Its Express Entry and provincial programs draw skilled migrants worldwide, while cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary rank among the top 10 globally for quality of life.

People are drawn to Canada for

• predictable PR routes
  
• safe neighbourhoods
  
• strong job demand in tech, healthcare, engineering

Australia remains one of the most attractive destinations with over 1.3 million searches for relocation. It has the highest minimum wage globally, strong worker protections, and a sunny outdoor lifestyle that appeals to families and young professionals.

Wages in key industries such as healthcare, IT, and trades remain among the highest worldwide, and cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane consistently appear in global liveability rankings.

Key reasons for its popularity:

• clean air and long life expectancy
  
• robust demand for skilled workers
  
• high income and strong public services

New Zealand is regularly listed among the top five safest countries and consistently ranks high for happiness and work-life balance. Over a million global users searched for relocation opportunities here, especially after its rise in reputation during the pandemic years.

The country is also facing a significant workforce gap, which opens doors for foreign workers under the Accredited Employer Work Visa

People choose NZ for:

• peaceful cities
  
• nature-driven lifestyle
  
• strong demand in IT, agriculture, and healthcare

Spain recorded more than 1.15 million searches, placing it among the top relocation destinations in Europe. The country's cost of living is 25–40% lower than many Western European countries, while offering excellent healthcare and a vibrant Mediterranean lifestyle.

Cities like Valencia, Málaga, and Barcelona attract remote workers through Spain’s newly launched Digital Nomad Visa, which saw rapid uptake within its first year.

Major attractions include:

• 300 days of sunshine
  
• affordable housing and food
  
• thriving expat communities

Despite political changes, the UK remains one of the top five relocation choices with over 1 million searches. The country offers world-class education, strong tech and finance sectors, and some of the highest-paying graduate roles in Europe.

London, Manchester, and Birmingham continue to attract global talent due to shortages in healthcare, IT, engineering, and research.

What pulls people to the UK:

• globally ranked universities
  
• wide job opportunities
  
• English-speaking environment

Portugal has become one of Europe’s most attractive relocation destinations, especially for remote workers and retirees. Its cost of living is significantly lower than France or Germany, and it ranks as the 7th safest country in the world.

Over the last few years, Portugal has welcomed hundreds of thousands of foreign residents, driven by flexible visas like the D7 and Digital Nomad Visa.

Popular reasons for relocation

• mild climate
  
• low cost of living
  
• safe and friendly environmen

Japan has become the most searched Asian country for relocation, crossing 900,000 global queries. With an aging population and worker shortage, Japan is actively opening its job market to foreigners in sectors such as engineering, caregiving, and technology.

The country’s clean cities, efficient transport, and low crime rates strengthen its appeal.

Why interest is rising:

• expanding work visas
  
• strong salaries in specialized fields
  
• globally admired infrastructure

Germany’s need for skilled workers continues to grow, with nearly 2 million job vacancies reported recently. The country attracts engineers, IT professionals, healthcare workers, and scientists from around the world.

Its EU Blue Card program offers one of the easiest pathways to long-term residency in Europe, drawing migrants seeking stability and career growth.

Germany is appealing for:

• strong industrial and tech sectors
  
• tuition-free education
  
• high living standards

France remains one of the most desirable destinations for those who value lifestyle, culture, and balanced working hours. The country regularly ranks first on global work-life balance indexes and attracts over 400,000 international students every year, many of whom stay long-term.

Its healthcare system is known as one of the best globally, and job demand in STEM, hospitality, and healthcare continues to rise.

People choose France for:

• high-quality public services
  
• protected working hours
  
• world-famous cultural lifestyle

Switzerland remains a top choice despite being expensive. With 703,000 relocation searches, it stands out for offering some of the highest wages and safest living conditions in the world.

The country’s reputation for efficiency, clean environments, and strong industries — banking, pharmaceuticals, engineering — makes it a preferred choice for highly skilled professionals.

Its appeal includes:

• top global salaries
  
• safe, clean cities
  
• strong economy and innovation ecosystem