Decoding Global Talent publishes a ranking of the best cities for expats to work in 2024. Find out which cities of the world highly qualified professionals dream of moving to and why

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Choosing a country and city to move to is one of the most important stages of migration. Finding the best place to live can be quite difficult, because the choice is influenced by many factors - the cost of living, working conditions, the quality of the social sphere, etc.

To identify the most attractive destinations, the consulting company Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and the recruitment agency The Network and Stepstone Group conduct an analysis of current trends in the movement of talented personnel every year, and the results are published in the Decoding Global Talent report. This data helps companies and governments to better understand global trends in the labor market, and expats to choose the best place to move.

Which cities became the best for expats in 2024? This year's rating follows.

How is the poll for the Decoding Global Talent ranking?

The study is based on the results of a survey of 150,735 respondents from 188 countries. It was conducted online between October and December 2023 and was anonymous.

Among the questions are readiness to go abroad for work, countries in which they would most like to work, expectations from future employers in a new country, etc.

The analysis of these data made it possible to compile the top 10 most attractive cities for the relocation and work of highly qualified specialists and talents.

Top 10 best cities in the world for expats to work in 2024

1st place - London, Great Britain

London topped the ranking of the best cities for talent and expats in 2024. The British capital has held the title of the most promising city to work for more than 10 years.

Expats are attracted to London by its reputation as the most prestigious global financial, cultural and technological center, as well as opportunities for career development, especially in fields such as finance, media, technology, medicine.

Numerous international corporations work in London. The city's infrastructure is developed, and labor laws are flexible. In addition, the high standard of living and excellent systems of medicine and education make the capital of Britain a comfortable city to move to.

How to get a job as a foreigner in Great Britain in 2024, read the link.

2nd place - Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is recognized as a promising destination for international talent, thanks to its highly developed economy, good international reputation and high quality of life. The city is known as one of the leading innovative and technological cities in Europe, offering a number of opportunities for career development in various industries. Amsterdam is also known for its welcoming international community.

A comfortable life for expats here is provided by an excellent infrastructure, a convenient public transport system, and high-quality medical and educational institutions.

3rd place - Dubai, UAE

Dubai is recognized as a great destination for expats and talent due to its rapid economic growth and high standards of living. Expats who seek to build careers in the fields of finance, technology, real estate, tourism and healthcare go here.

The favorable geographical position gave the emirate the reputation of an international business hub that connects East and West. Tax benefits, ease of doing business, investment programs make the city attractive for entrepreneurs, as well as professionals who seek to develop a career in a favorable environment.

4th place - Abu Dhabi, UAE

Over the past few years, the United Arab Emirates has become one of the popular destinations for relocators, digital nomads, and talents looking for a comfortable place to live and work. Therefore, it is not surprising that two cities of the country made it into the top five of the rating.

 Abu Dhabi attracts expats with a high standard of living, economic stability, and many career opportunities. The emirate is also famous for its safe, friendly atmosphere, rich cultural heritage, and variety of leisure activities. Add to this a developed social sphere - the ideal place for expats to live has been found.

Instructions for obtaining a permanent residence permit in the UAE at the link.

5th place - New York, USA

New York is popular among expats because of its status as a global financial and cultural center that offers endless opportunities for career growth and personal development. Here you can find work in various fields - finance, media, art and technology, and developed infrastructure, a wide network of public transport, access to the best educational and medical facilities make life here convenient and comfortable.

6 proven ways to legally migrate to the USA in this article.

Are you planning a trip or move abroad? An important component of a successful trip is a health insurance policy, because it guarantees the provision of high-quality medical care in any corner of the world and is able to protect you from unnecessary expenses during the trip. You can buy insurance from verified agents on the Visit World portal.

6th place – Berlin, Germany

Berlin is also considered one of the best places for talent to move to and work, as it is known for its diverse, open atmosphere that attracts people from all over the world. Most expats work here in the fields of technology, startups, and science. The main advantage of the German capital is a high standard of living (developed infrastructure, affordable housing, an excellent public transport system, numerous cultural events, etc.).

Learn more about the procedure for obtaining a work visa and the specifics of finding a job in Germany in 2024 at the link.

7th place - Singapore

Singapore regularly ranks among the best cities for quality of life or ease of doing business. It is popular among expats due to its status as a global financial and technological hub, high standard of living, and favorable conditions for business activities.

The economy here is stable, the legislation is transparent, and taxes are low. As for the quality of life, the city has well-developed health care and education, as well as an excellent transportation network.

8th place – Barcelona, ​​Spain

Barcelona is known for its combination of quality of life, cultural richness and employment opportunities. The city also offers various career opportunities in the fields of technology, medicine, tourism and creativity. The comfortable, friendly atmosphere of Barcelona attracts talented people from all over the world who seek a harmonious combination of work and personal life.

Read how a foreigner can get a job in Spain here.

9th place - Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is a city famous for its dynamic economic development and career prospects. It also has the status of the world's leading financial center. Expats looking for jobs in finance, technology and engineering come here.

A high standard of living, an efficient transport system, and a rich culture create comfortable conditions for expats.

Read everything you need to know about moving to Japan in 2024 at the link.

10th place - Sydney, Australia

Sydney is famous for its developed infrastructure, excellent transport system, numerous cultural and sports events. The city is the financial and technological center of Australia, so international professionals can find work here in various fields, including finance, IT, media, healthcare.

The main requirements for obtaining a work visa to Australia in this article.

The most popular countries for expats to move to in 2024

Also, Decoding Global Talent 2024 publishes the top 10 most popular countries among expats:

- 1st place – Australia

- 2nd place – United States of America

- 3rd place – Canada

- 4th place – Great Britain

- 5th place – Germany

- 6th place – Japan

- 7th place – Switzerland

- 8th place – Singapore

- 9th place – France

- 10th place – Spain

Therefore, more and more specialists are considering the possibility of employment abroad. According to the survey, 23% of respondents are actively looking for a job in another country, while another 21% are passively considering it.

When choosing a country and a city for moving, expats prefer developed economic centers that can offer high wages, career prospects and a decent quality of life.

An important factor that foreigners pay attention to when choosing a country to move to is the cost of living, the rating of the most expensive cities in the world in 2024 according to the link.

We will remind you that in this article we talked about the worst cities for expats to live in in 2024.

Ihor Usyk - head of Visit World's legal department

The procedure for employment abroad is quite complex and has many peculiarities, therefore, to simplify the preparation of the move, consult a migration specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations during migration abroad.

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Travel guide for 200 countries;

Legal advice from a local specialist on visa and migration issues;

Travel insurance around the world (please select the country of interest and citizenship to receive services);

Medical insurance all over the world.