Ireland has retained the top position in the 2026 World Citizenship Report released by CS Global Partners, once again highlighting Europe’s continued dominance in global citizenship rankings as high-net-worth individuals increasingly seek stability, quality of life, and long-term security.
Switzerland secured second place, followed by Denmark in third. Australia and Norway shared fourth place, while Germany, Finland, Japan, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom also featured among the top ten.
The report evaluates 188 jurisdictions annually across key indicators, including safety and security, economic opportunity, quality of life, global mobility, and financial freedom. This year’s findings showed Western nations continuing to dominate the rankings, with European countries and members of the Anglosphere occupying 18 of the top 20 positions.
Europe maintains leadership in global citizenship rankings
Ireland achieved an overall score of 85.1, ahead of Switzerland at 83.2 and Denmark at 82.8. Australia and Norway both recorded scores of 81.6, closely followed by Germany at 81.3.
According to the World Citizenship Report , wealthy individuals are no longer viewing citizenship merely as a travel document. Instead, citizenship is increasingly being treated as a strategic long-term safeguard for families, assets, education, and future mobility amid growing geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
Europe’s continued strength was particularly evident in the areas of quality of life and security. Germany overtook Norway to secure the top position in the Quality of Life category with a score of 90.6, supported by its advanced healthcare system, environmental standards, and strong public infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Iceland was ranked the safest country in the world, ahead of Switzerland and Denmark, with the report citing low crime levels, institutional stability, and a strong rule of law.
Asia strengthens its position as an economic powerhouse
Although Europe dominated the overall rankings, Asia emerged as a major force in economic opportunity and global mobility. China topped the Economic Opportunity category with a score of 89.3, followed by the United States and Ireland.
Emerging markets such as Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, and Vietnam also performed strongly, reflecting the ongoing shift in global economic momentum toward Asia and other developing regions.
Singapore secured the number one position in Global Mobility with a score of 91.0, while Japan and South Korea shared second place.
Political uncertainty fuels demand for second citizenships
One of the report’s key findings was the rising demand for second citizenships as a form of long-term risk management. More than 71% of respondents said recent global developments had made them more likely to pursue an additional citizenship or residency, while only 2.7% said they were less likely to consider it.
The World Citizenship Report emphasised that second citizenships are no longer viewed primarily as tools for easier travel or tax advantages. Instead, they are increasingly regarded as protection against political instability, economic disruption, and policy uncertainty.
Family security and generational planning emerged as the leading motivations for acquiring additional citizenship, ranking ahead of investment diversification and business expansion.
Citizenship is increasingly viewed as a strategic asset
According to the World Citizenship Report, affluent families are now incorporating citizenship into broader financial and lifestyle planning strategies. Around 15% of respondents already hold dual citizenship, while another 5% possess three or more citizenships.
The report noted that globally mobile individuals are increasingly building “citizenship portfolios” to enhance access to education, healthcare, business opportunities, and international mobility across multiple jurisdictions.
It concluded that citizenship has evolved beyond a legal status and is now widely regarded as a strategic asset in a world shaped by geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, and growing uncertainty.
