Switzerland Nails It: #1 in Attracting Global Talent!

Switzerland has been named the best country globally for attracting and retaining talent from other countries. The Global Talent Competitiveness Index for 2023, conducted by the business school INSEAD, highlighted Switzerland’s ability to attract skilled workers by offering high salaries and an exceptional quality of life.

2023 Global Talent Competitiveness Index

This annual report assesses countries based on their capacity to draw specialized and highly skilled workers from abroad and their effectiveness in retaining them. It evaluates 134 countries across various categories, such as stability of government and job market, labor rights, scientific spending, attractiveness to businesses and workers, gender equality, tolerance of expats, immigration policies, education quality, adult learning opportunities, social security programs, quality of life, safety, vocational and technical skills, and global knowledge skills.

Each country receives scores in over 69 subcategories, resulting in a rating out of 100 for each category. A weighted average score is then calculated to determine the overall ranking.

More global chaos means fewer people moving abroad.

The 2023 report noted a global decrease in the number of people relocating to other countries due to factors like global instability and the COVID-19 pandemic. INSEAD also observed a shift in the priorities of prospective expats, with many prioritizing “meaningful jobs” and a good work-life balance over higher salaries. Despite these changes, Europe remains a significant attraction for international talent, with 17 of the top 25 countries being from the continent.

Switzerland secured its position as the best country for attracting talented workers for the tenth consecutive year in 2023. INSEAD highlighted Switzerland and Singapore as the clear leaders, with the United States ranking third, followed by Denmark and the Netherlands. On the other end of the spectrum, Chad was identified as the least successful in attracting talent from abroad, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia.

Switzerland’s economy stands out in drawing in expats.

Switzerland’s excellence in attracting expats is attributed to its strong performance across all categories, placing in the top 10 for each. The country excelled in the Enable and Retain categories, attributed to its high levels of social protection and the quality of its natural environment. While there is room for improvement, particularly in the number of Swiss workers with tertiary qualifications, Switzerland still ranked in the top 10 even in this category.

Here are the top 10 countries in the world for attracting international talent: