Estonia has emerged as the world’s top destination for relocation in the inaugural Rumavi Global Relocation Index 2026, while India ranked 100th among 192 countries evaluated on factors ranging from affordability and taxation to healthcare, safety and business opportunities.
The index assesses countries across 24 indicators grouped into four broad pillars: financial and tax environment, livability and health, safety and stability, and settling and opportunity. It also provides separate rankings for different groups of migrants, including entrepreneurs, retirees, families, digital nomads and tax-focused movers, recognising that relocation priorities vary depending on individual needs.
Estonia secured the top spot with a score of 72.8, narrowly ahead of Singapore and Malaysia. Portugal, Taiwan, Lithuania, Hong Kong, St Kitts and Nevis, Czechia and Malta completed the top 10. Singapore also ranked first globally for entrepreneurs and tax-friendliness, reflecting its strong business environment, financial infrastructure and governance.
According to the report, relocation decisions are no longer driven solely by tax rates or living costs. Countries that combine stable institutions, efficient banking systems, healthcare, safety and business opportunities are increasingly emerging as preferred destinations for skilled professionals, entrepreneurs and long-term migrants.
India received an overall score of 60.6. The report identified affordability as the country’s biggest strength, awarding high scores for general living costs, housing affordability and banking accessibility. India’s startup ecosystem also performed relatively well, highlighting the country’s growing appeal for entrepreneurship.
However, the country’s overall ranking was affected by low scores for business opportunities, property rights for non-citizens and air quality. These factors outweighed its affordability advantage, resulting in a mid-table finish in the global rankings.
Among different relocation categories, India performed best as a destination for digital nomads, ranking 73rd. It placed 87th for entrepreneurs, 102nd for families, 113th for retirees and 126th for tax-friendly relocation.
The findings highlight that while affordability remains an important consideration, countries seeking to attract global talent must also offer strong institutions, business-friendly policies, quality public services and a stable living environment. As international mobility continues to evolve, relocation decisions are increasingly being shaped by a combination of economic opportunity and overall quality of life rather than cost alone.
