Tajikistan ranked 137th out of 192 countries in the 2026 Global Relocation Index compiled by Rumavi, placing fourth among the five Central Asian states.

The country scored 55.1 points out of 100.

The index assesses countries as destinations for relocation and long-term residence. It compares 192 states across 24 indicators grouped into four categories: finance and taxation, quality of life and healthcare, safety and stability, and settlement conditions and opportunities.

Each indicator is scored on a scale of zero to 100, with a higher score indicating more favorable conditions for people considering relocation. In categories such as cost of living, more affordable countries receive higher scores.

Kazakhstan leads Central Asia

Kazakhstan recorded the highest score in Central Asia, ranking 77th globally with 62.9 points.

Uzbekistan placed 110th with 59.9 points, followed by Kyrgyzstan in 118th place with 59.3 points. Tajikistan ranked 137th with 55.1 points, while Turkmenistan placed 155th with 52.3 points.

According to Rumavi, Tajikistan’s main advantage is its low cost of living. However, the country faces significant challenges related to air quality and the protection of property rights.

Tajikistan performed better as a destination for digital nomads than for families, while most of its relocation-related indicators were below the global average.

Finance and taxation

Tajikistan received its highest category score for finance and taxation, at 73.1 points.

The country scored 94 points for everyday affordability and 86 for housing affordability. Income taxation received 72 points, taxation of foreign income 68, capital and property taxes 65, and the currency and banking system 55.

Rumavi’s detailed assessment gave Tajikistan 94.1 points for the affordability of general living expenses and 86.2 for housing.

The index lists Tajikistan’s maximum personal income tax rate at 13%. The country uses a residence-based tax system, meaning tax residents are generally liable for tax on their worldwide income, including earnings from abroad.

Rumavi noted, however, that enforcement is limited and Tajikistan has a relatively small network of international tax treaties. Non-residents are taxed only on income earned from sources within the country.

Quality of life and healthcare

Tajikistan scored 53 points in the quality of life and healthcare category.

The affordability and accessibility of medical services received 64 points, green spaces 58 and digital infrastructure 56. Climate risks were rated at 51 points, healthcare quality at 42, climate comfort at 35 and air quality at 33.

Air quality, which received a more precise score of 32.9 points, was identified as one of the main factors potential residents should consider.

Safety and stability

The country scored 46.3 points in the safety and stability category.

Conflict risk was rated at 71 points, street safety at 47, the rule of law and political stability at 42 each, and property rights for foreign nationals at 30.

Rumavi identified the protection of foreigners’ property rights as another area of concern.

Foreign nationals cannot own land in Tajikistan, as land-use rights are available only to citizens. Foreigners may lease land and can, in principle, own buildings constructed on it.

However, the index describes the legal system as lacking transparency and highlights potential difficulties in confirming ownership rights. Most foreign residents therefore rent rather than buy homes.

Settlement conditions and opportunities

Tajikistan received its lowest score, 43.2 points, in the settlement conditions and opportunities category.

The ease of obtaining a visa was rated at 62 points. The path to permanent residency and business opportunities each received 48 points.

Education and schools scored 38 points, the language environment and accessibility of English 34, and the startup ecosystem 24.

Estonia topped the overall ranking with 72.8 points, followed by Singapore with 72.6, Malaysia with 72, Portugal with 71.6 and Taiwan with 71.4.

Afghanistan, Yemen and South Sudan were ranked as the least favorable countries for relocation.