Top Countries to Live and Work in 2025: Insights from Henley & Partners Opportunity Index

The international consulting firm Henley & Partners has published the updated Henley Opportunity Index 2025. This research evaluates and ranks the leading investment residency and citizenship programs, analyzing their impact on education, career prospects, income potential, economic mobility, professional growth, and quality of life.

Tess Wilkinson, Director of Education Services at Henley & Partners, emphasizes that in the increasingly competitive global job market, a degree from a prestigious university alone is no longer enough. Studies show that university graduates earn on average 50% more than those with only a high school diploma. However, over two-thirds of global income inequality is determined by the country where a person lives and works.

"The Opportunity Index confirms that investment migration can be a key tool for families looking to overcome the so-called ‘birth lottery,’" Wilkinson explains. "By obtaining residency or citizenship in strategically advantageous countries, individuals unlock new economic opportunities, promising industries, and broader career horizons."

Optimizing Pathways to Success

For the first time, the Henley Opportunity Index quantifies the advantages of combining premium education with extended residency or citizenship rights. This study helps investors, entrepreneurs, and affluent families identify the best strategies to secure success for future generations.

The top-ranked country in the index is Switzerland, scoring 84%. Henley & Partners' Swiss Residence Program (SRP) combines residency with tax benefits (forfait tax) for private individuals.

Singapore ranks second (79%) as a major Asian financial hub with its sought-after Global Investor Program.

The United States secures third place (78%) with its EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program and the new "Golden Visa" for high-net-worth foreigners investing $5 million.

Australia takes fourth place (76%) with its newly launched National Innovation Visa, while Canada rounds out the top five (73%) with its Start-Up Visa program.

Other notable rankings include:
United Kingdom (70%) – Innovator Founder Visa for startup founders
UAE (67%) – Various Golden Visa categories
Austria (65%) – Citizenship available through substantial economic contribution
New Zealand (65%) – Recently streamlined Active Investor Plus Visa
Italy (64%) – Attractive Investor Visa

Following closely are:
Hong Kong (61%) – Recently revived Capital Investment Entrant Scheme
Latvia (60%) – Fast and competitive residency-by-investment program
Malta (59%) – Citizenship through economic contributions
Hungary (58%)
Greece and Portugal (56%) – Highly popular among investors

Unlocking New Opportunities for Future Generations

The Opportunity Index illustrates how investment migration can significantly enhance family prospects worldwide. For example:

A Russian family with an Opportunity Level of 36% can increase it to 78% by obtaining U.S. residency through the EB-5 program.
A Kazakh family with 33% can raise their score to 60% by securing Latvian residency or to 67% through a UAE Golden Visa.
The index also highlights how investment programs can drastically improve key life parameters. For instance, Russian investors moving to Switzerland could increase their income potential from 36 to 100 points. Meanwhile, Kazakh entrepreneurs choosing Portugal’s Golden Visa could boost their economic mobility from 32 to 92 points—an impressive transformation.

Preparing for Global Success

According to Dominic Volek, Head of Private Clients at Henley & Partners, investment migration and quality education are powerful tools for creating future opportunities.

"With alternative residency and citizenship, families gain access to the world's best educational, career, and investment ecosystems," he states. "A second passport and multiple residency options are not just privileges—they are strategic assets securing long-term success across generations."

Key Considerations

While the ranking offers valuable insights, some high-potential countries are missing from the analysis. Germany, for example, provides numerous attractive opportunities for foreign professionals. Georgia also remains an underrated option with simple entry and stay conditions, tax incentives for tech professionals, and no restrictions on foreign property ownership—offering strong rental yields.

Additionally, countries with high scores in income and career prospects often present significant immigration barriers. Switzerland has an extremely high cost of living, while in the UAE, foreigners face limited chances of obtaining full citizenship, making it a temporary rather than permanent relocation option.