Hong Kong ranks 7th in Global Relocation Index

The Index gave the region just 41 on general affordability despite higher global ranking.

Hong Kong ranked seventh out of 192 countries in the Rumavi Global Relocation Index 2026, with an overall score of 71.0 out of 100.

The index ranked the region second globally for tax-friendliness and sixth for entrepreneurs, whilst it placed 20th for families, 32nd for retirees, and 40th for digital nomads.

The region "excels as a destination for entrepreneurs" and those focused on tax efficiency, with Rumavi noting that “whilst it offers world-class banking and digital infrastructure, relocators should weigh exceptional housing costs and climate exposure against its financial advantages.”

Scoring is split across four pillars: financial and tax, livability and health, safety and stability, and settling and opportunity.

The ranking identified currency and banking (97.3), digital infrastructure (93.6), and foreign income tax (90.0) as the region’s strengths, whilst housing affordability (27.6), general affordability (41.3), and climate risk (55.0) were identified as weaker areas.

The financial and tax pillar scored 74.5. It comprises currency and banking, foreign income tax, capital and wealth tax (82.0), general affordability (41.3), and housing affordability (27.6).

Livability and health scored 64.5. This pillar includes digital infrastructure, climate risk, green space (85.0), healthcare access and cost (69.0), healthcare quality (67.0), climate comfort (65.0), and air quality (59.0).

Safety and stability scored 77.7, with political stability scoring 82.0, property rights for non-citizens 80.0, street safety 79.0, and the rule of law 72.0.

Settling and opportunity scored 72.0. This pillar includes the startup ecosystem (90.0), education and schooling (83.0), business opportunity (71.0), language and English access (70.0), path to permanence (64.0), and visa ease (60.0).

Rumavi noted that Hong Kong's population stood at 7.5 million in 2024, with the Hong Kong dollar as its currency.

The region also caps its top income tax rate at 15% to 17% under a territorial tax system that exempts foreign-sourced income.

Foreigners can buy property without restriction but pay an additional 15% Buyer's Stamp Duty on top of the standard stamp duty.

The climate is humid and subtropical, with typhoon risk in summer and milder, drier winters.