Malaysia, the richest country in Southeast Asia by GDP per capita after Singapore and Brunei, scored 75.8 out of 100 to rank No. 1 among 192 countries and territories in the index, followed by Panama and Portugal. Thailand placed fourth, while the Philippines came in eighth.

Rumavi, a Singapore-based relocation and advisory consultancy, established the 2026 Global Relocation Index using 24 metrics grouped into four pillars: financial and tax, livability and health, safety and stability, and settling and opportunity for its overall ranking.

For retirement purpose, healthcare quality carries the largest weighting at 9%, followed by foreign-income tax treatment at 8.5%, alongside cost of living (7.5%), street safety (7.5%) and healthcare access cost (7.0%). Education and startup ecosystem carry zero weight.

Countries without a dedicated retirement route are penalized in the ranking.

The index said Malaysia's appeal to retirees stems from its combination of relatively low living costs, accessible healthcare and financial advantages. However, it identified street safety and the rule of law as areas of concern.

Malaysia's strong affordability was a key factor, with a score of 97.8, while its favorable treatment of foreign income earned it 85 points.

Malaysia's dominant retirement ranking comes despite its No. 3 position in a broader ranking of the best countries to relocate to, where it scored 72. It also ranked No. 1 globally for digital nomads.

Thailand ranked fourth globally and second in Southeast Asia for retirees, scoring 74.3.

The country's strongest areas are affordability, currency and banking, digital infrastructure and healthcare, earning scores of 96.9, 91.8 and 89.4. Its healthcare quality and healthcare access cost scores were both 78.

Its rule of law, language and English access, and business opportunity are weaker areas.

The Philippines ranked eighth worldwide with a score of 71.6, making it the third Southeast Asian country in the global top 10.

Its strongest advantage was affordability, which was given a score of 95.1, and housing affordability, 91. The country also scored 82 for foreign-income tax treatment.

However, climate risk and rule of law were highlighted as drawbacks. The Philippines scored 42 for climate risk and 46 for rule of law, while healthcare quality received a score of 67.

The three countries were not the only Southeast Asian destinations to make the ranking. Brunei placed 11th globally with a score of 71.0, Cambodia 16th with 69.9, Singapore 27th with 68.5, Indonesia 58th with 65.5, Vietnam 76th with 64.4 and Laos 91st with 63.8.