A friendly country with stunning scenery and high quality of life is named the most desirable place in the world for expats

Sarra Gray

By Sarra Gray


Published: 05/01/2026

- 18:07

Updated: 06/01/2026

- 10:27

The world's top countries for expats have been named

Canada has claimed the top spot as the world's most sought-after destination for people looking to start fresh abroad, according to new research.

Experts analysed Google searches across 75 countries, looking at terms like "moving to," "living in," and "emigrating to" various destinations.


Canada dominated the rankings for the second consecutive year, according to the data from 1st Move International. It racked up more than 269,000 searches from people dreaming of a new life there.

Australia came in second with roughly 207,000 searches, while Ireland came in third place with nearly 180,000 people researching a move to the Emerald Isle.

Banff National Park, Canada, Rocky Mountains

Banff National Park is home to the famous Rocky Mountains and is a scenic part of Canada

|
GETTY
Toronto skyline, Canada

Expats can enjoy city life in Toronto, Canada

|
GETTY

The 10 most desirable places to relocate to

  • Canada – 269,220 searches
  • Australia – 207,900 searches
  • Ireland – 179,400 searches
  • New Zealand – 177,700 searches
  • Japan – 172,880 searches
  • Portugal – 170,030 searches
  • Costa Rica – 127,880 searches
  • Spain – 127,670 searches
  • Netherlands – 127,100 searches
  • Thailand – 126,960 searches

Ireland actually knocked New Zealand off the podium this year, with the Kiwi nation slipping from third to fourth place compared to the 2024 study.

So what's drawing people to these destinations? Canada's appeal is easy to understand - it's loved for its welcoming communities, brilliant quality of life, and stunning natural scenery.

Whether you are searching for city living in Toronto or Vancouver, or prefer a quieter countryside setting, there's something for everyone.

Australia remains a firm favourite thanks to gorgeous weather, its robust economy, and laid-back way of life. Families and professionals particularly love the excellent healthcare and education on offer.

As for Ireland, its warm atmosphere, growing job opportunities, and cultural appeal keep attracting movers. Being close to the UK helps British expats, too.

Australia

Australia ranked very closely behind Canada

|
PEXELS

For more relocation inspiration, the happiest countries in Europe for British expats to move to are "ideal locations for family life".

British families dreaming of a fresh start abroad might want to look north, as new research reveals Norway is the best European country for raising children in 2025.

Research shows the top places to move to based on 20 different quality-of-life factors, and the Scandinavian nation comes out on top with an impressive index score of 71.73 out of 100.

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

More From GB News