Dubai has been ranked as the number one city people from around the world want to move to, according to analysis by financial services provider Remitly.
Dubai was the clear winner in a ranking compiled using 12 months of Google search data.
Miami, Paris and New York were next on the list.
Globally, immigration is rising rapidly as people look to travel overseas for a variety of reasons.
Remitly said that as of 2020 that an estimated 281m people live in a country other than their country of birth. This is 128 million more than in 1990, and the equivalent of 3.6 per cent of the global population.
The Remitly study analysed Google search volumes for the phrase “move to [city]” for 164 countries world, and created an overall ranking based entirely on how many countries prefer a move to a specific city above all others.
Dubai was the overwhelming favourite, topping the wish lists of an incredible 60 countries.
Searches for an international move to Dubai were more popular than anywhere else in 60 countries, including the India, Pakistan, UK, Italy, Canada, USA, Australia and Sri Lanka.
Dream immigration city list
- Dubai, 60 (number of countries that want to move here most)
- Miami, 12
- Paris, 10
- New York City, 8
- Madrid, 8
- Singapore, 8
- London, 6
- Brussels, 6
- Toronto, 3
- Washington DC, Buenos Aires, Christchurch, Quebec City, Bogota, Portland, Vienna, Phoenix, Chicago, 2
Remitly said: “Known for its ultramodern architecture, lively nightlife scene, year-round sunshine and plentiful employment opportunities, Dubai is clearly viewed around the world as an incredibly desirable place to live with its population having risen by almost 100,000 during the 12-month period between 2022 and 2023.
“For anyone wanting a fresh start in a new city where it’s easy to meet and make friends from all corners of the world, Dubai appears to be the ideal relocation destination.
“However, those in the UAE themselves were found to be angling for a move to Singapore, another city featuring in our top ten list and known for its varied community of expats, and vast array of job opportunities.”
Within Canada and the US, searches for “move to Dubai” were by far the most popular.
37 of the 50 US states selected Dubai as the most searched for international destination for relocation and seven out of 10 Canadian provinces selected the UAE city.
In Europe, 14 countries put Dubai at the top of the list, while residents of seven Asian countries are eyeing a move to Dubai above any other location.
Similarly, Africa and Oceana put the UAE city at the top of the list for international locations.
Jago McKenzie, Business Management Director at Remitly, said: “People are getting used to the idea of moving to another country at least once in their lifetime, whether that be for greater job prospects, a better quality of life or an increased salary to enable them to send money back home to their families.
“With that in mind, it’s not surprising that so many people around the world are searching for information about the city that could be their next home.
“Dubai was a clear winner in our study, and with the plethora of employment prospects and lifestyle benefits it can offer, coupled with the fantastic weather, it’s not hard to see why.”
