Where Does Japan Rank Among Potential Relocators Around the World?
Ever wondered which are the world’s most desirable countries to relocate to? People move for better weather, cheaper costs, work, study or just the experience and adventure. But first they research. UK moving and shipping company 1st Move International, which has a global reach of more than 80 countries and 6,500 worldwide destinations, has just revealed a relocation wishlist from analysing search trends to find out which destinations are the most popular among people looking to move abroad in 2025 and to make educated predictions for 2026.
While Britons put Japan in fifth place with 172,880 searches—behind perennial favourites Canada, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand but ahead of Portugal, Spain and Thailand among others—searchers around the world dropped it to eighth by adding Switzerland, the US and Spain to their wishlists.
The top three:
- Canada takes the lead as the most desired relocation destination, ranking first in 75 countries worldwide, just like last year. Its high standard of living, world-class healthcare and welcoming culture make it a top choice for people seeking safety, stability and opportunity.
- Australia is the top relocation choice in 43 countries, ranking second overall for the second year running. Its outdoor-oriented lifestyle and gorgeous weather continue to attract people from across the globe. Offering career opportunities and a change in pace, Australia remains one of the world’s most aspirational places to call home.
- Switzerland ranks as the top relocation destination in 15 countries, appealing to those drawn to its clean environment, strong economy and good quality of life. Last year, Spain took third place, making Switzerland a new top-three destination for 2025. Renowned for its safety, efficient infrastructure and stunning Alpine scenery, Switzerland offers a peaceful yet prosperous lifestyle, making it particularly attractive to professionals and families seeking a secure and scenic new home.
1st Move International Managing Director Mike Harvey said, “As we look ahead to 2026 relocations, we expect many of the world’s most popular moving destinations to maintain their strong appeal. We’re seeing a clear pattern of consistency at the top, with destinations such as the United States, United Arab Emirates and Australia remaining firm favourites among UK movers. Canada also shows no sign of slowing down, consistently performing well year after year.
“However, the lasting appeal of smaller, lifestyle-focused countries such as Cyprus and New Zealand is particularly interesting. These destinations offer a slower pace of life without compromising on opportunity, which is increasingly important to movers across the last few years.”
Google searches made worldwide between September 2024 and August 2025 were used to identify the most desirable countries to move to according to Google Ads Keyword Planner.
| Rank | Country | Number of Countries |
| 1 | Canada | 75 |
| 2 | Australia | 43 |
| 3 | Switzerland | 15 |
| 4 | Ireland | 9 |
| 5 | New Zealand | 8 |
| 6 | Spain | 6 |
| 6 | United States | 6 |
| 8 | Japan | 5 |
| 9 | Brazil | 4 |
| 9 | Germany | 4 |