Ranking among the top ten were the U.S., U.K., Switzerland and Australia.
A report by residence and citizenship advisory firm Henley & Partners sheds light on which countries offer the strongest earning potential.Earning potential can play a role in where people choose to live and work, and rankings such as Henley & Partners’ Opportunity Index offer insight into how national job markets compare.
The findings were part of the firm's 2026 Opportunity Index, which 15 ranked “leading” countries offering residence and citizenship programs across six areas, including earning potential. Henley & Partners said that its earning potential scores reflect projected annual earnings over a 10-year period, based on wage growth and adjusted for inflation. “The scores provide a high-level view of the job market by reflecting average salaries in US dollars for highly skilled professionals in senior roles across a range of sectors, including agriculture, the arts, business administration, finance, engineering, health, IT, law, and science,” it said. “Given the diversity of career paths, the measure is designed to provide broad, comparable guidance.” The firm said its data sources included country national statistics offices, the International Monetary Fund, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, and global salary benchmarking platforms. According to Henley & Partners, Switzerland, Singapore and the United States ranked at the top in terms of earning potential, with scores of 100. They were followed by Australia and Hong Kong, which were scored 89 and 83, respectively. Next was Canada with 78 and Austria with 76, then the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates, each with 73. New Zealand rounded out the top 10 with an earning potential score of 69. In the overall Opportunity Index—which included additional factors such as career advancement, top-tier employment prospects and premium education—Switzerland ranked first. The country is marked by strong earning prospects, opportunities for career progression, and access to leading employment prospects. Its stable economy and established institutions offer a dependable setting for professional and academic development, Henley & Partners said. Singapore’s second-place ranking on the overall index reflected strong earning prospects, access to leading employers, and economic mobility. Its open economy and global position support a competitive job market, according to the firm. Education and workforce training are closely linked to industry demand, supported by coordination between government, business and research that sustains job creation, it said. Australia ranked third, with the firm saying it pairs strong income potential with high economic mobility, allowing professionals to pursue long‑term careers across multiple sectors, with continued demand for skilled workers in fields such as engineering, health care, finance and technology."While the U.S. remains one of the world’s leading destinations for education and earning potential, it has moved from third place in 2025 to joint fourth in 2026, alongside the U.K., with Australia now ranked third. This is not necessarily a reflection of declining U.S. strength—it continues to outperform globally in areas such as top-tier education and high-value career opportunities. Rather, it highlights the increasing importance of balance across all six drivers of long-term prosperity. Countries that combine strong economic performance with high livability, mobility, and overall ecosystem stability are now gaining a competitive edge. "The U.S. remains firmly in the top tier globally, but the latest results underscore a broader trend: the long-term value of education is no longer determined by earning potential alone but by how effectively a country enables graduates to convert that education into sustained career success and quality of life.", ours is different: The Courageous Center—it's not"both sides," it's sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you., you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy: Ad-free browsing, exclusive content and editor conversations.
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