Top Ten Countries People Want To Move To

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Top Ten Countries People Want To Move To

Whether you’re reuniting with loved ones, changing jobs, or seeking a new adventure, relocating is an enriching experience. It allows you to dive into a new culture, diversify your horizons, and create lasting memories. However, there’s no denying that it can be daunting.

Written for Expat Network by 1st Move International

Reflecting on other expats’ experiences can inspire and reassure your choice when choosing a country to relocate to, and your international removals company, too. That’s why we’ve explored Google search data to discover which countries people worldwide are most interested in moving to. We’ve also looked at our internal data to find out which countries UK residents have relocated to the most.

Canada is the most desirable country to relocate to, with more than 1.5 million searches

We’ve delved into Google search data to determine which countries people want to relocate to. We’ve looked at searches for relocating, moving, and houses to reveal the most-searched countries to migrate to.

The most searched countries to relocate to:

1. Canada – 1,526,780 relocation searches

Taking the top spot as the most desired country to move to is Canada, with just over 1.5 million Google searches. Canada is a diverse country with a high quality of life. Along with publicly funded healthcare and education, Canada boasts stunning natural beauty. However, Canada has a high cost of living, especially if you are living in a city.

2. Australia – 1,360,700 relocation searches

The land down under takes second place, with over 1.3 million searches for relocating to Australia. Safety, diversity, and scenery make Australia a special place to live, especially if you love being in the sun. Its standard of living makes it an excellent place for families, boasting high-quality education and healthcare. However, similarly to Canada, its benefits come at a price, with Australia being one of the most expensive places to live.

3. New Zealand – 1,159,700 relocation searches

Australia’s neighbour, New Zealand, completes our top three with over one million relocation searches. Life in New Zealand is often described as relaxed and laid-back. It offers an outstanding work-life balance, especially compared to the UK, and an array of epic landscapes. However, New Zealand’s cost of living is high, and the weather tends to fluctuate greatly.

Canada was the top country to migrate to in 74 countries, more than any other country in the world

Delving into Google search data again, we’ve revealed the most popular countries to relocate to based on how many times a country was searched for the most.

The countries people want to relocate to the most

Canada – 74 countries

Coming out on top again is Canada, the most popular country to relocate to in 74 countries. India, Nigeria, and South Africa searched for a relocation to Canada the most, with 170,000, 39,000, and 30,000 searches, respectively.

Australia – 20 countries

Australia takes second place, being the most popular country to relocate to in 20 countries. The top three countries searching for relocation to the land down under were the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Ireland. The United Kingdom searched for relocations to Australia over 400,000 times, the second-highest total searches for an individual country. The UK’s searches also accounted for almost a third of all global searches for a move to Australia.

Spain – 17 countries

Concluding our top three is Spain, the most popular country to relocate to in 17 countries. Sweden, the Netherlands, and Germany were the most eager countries to move to Spain, searching 20,000, 19,800, and 18,900 times, respectively. Interestingly, all countries searching for a move to Spain are European. Spain’s main selling point is its weather, which is generally dry all year round, a perfect choice if you’re fed up with the rain.

UK residents moved to the USA more than any other country

We’ve used internal data to reveal the countries we’ve helped UK residents move to the most between 2022 and 2024.

United States of America

Taking the top spot is the USA. The US is a diverse place full of opportunity, suitable for any stage of life, whether you’re still in education, looking to start a business, or simply craving your next adventure. Also, the lack of a language barrier for UK residents makes the transition more manageable.

Australia

Australia takes second place. Similarly to the US, the lack of a language barrier for UK residents makes Australia an incredibly attractive opportunity. Combined with the weather, a stark contrast to the UK, travelling across the world to find your new home is irresistible.

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates completes our top three. One of the most popular places in the UAE to relocate to is Dubai, its most populous country. Dubai has become a popular tourist destination in recent years. However, it offers expats several benefits. It’s sunny, modern, and safe, making it suitable for families. Dubai also has no income tax, making your take-home income considerably higher.

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.