Ras Al Khaimah Named Best City for Expats in 2024 by InterNations

The 2024 Expat Insider report by InterNations - a global network and community for expats - has ranked Ras Al Khaimah as the leading city for expatriates across 53 cities worldwide. The city secured the top spot in the Expat Essentials Index, which gauges housing affordability, digital infrastructure, administrative processes and language accessibility.

The survey, conducted annually by InterNations, represents over 5.4 million expatriates across 420 cities and 166 countries. Results show that 72% of respondents found it easy to secure housing in Ras Al Khaimah, significantly higher than the global average of 45%.

Ras Al Khaimah also excelled in addressing pre-relocation challenges, with 69% of expatriates reporting no major issues related to housing, local bureaucracy or language barriers. This figure starkly contrasts with the global average of just 29%.

In addition to leading the Expat Essentials Index, Ras Al Khaimah ranked second in the Working Abroad category and fifth for Ease of Settling In.

With a population of 400,000 as of 2023, Ras Al Khaimah has cultivated a diverse economy where no single sector contributes more than 30% to its GDP. It has also maintained an ‘A’ range credit rating from Fitch and Standard & Poor’s for 15 years.

Ras Al Khaimah has used initiatives like the ‘Heart of RAK’ digital platform to showcase its lifestyle offerings. Ras Al Khaimah’s natural assets, including its 64-kilometre coastline, desert landscapes, and Jebel Jais - the UAE’s highest peak featuring the world’s longest zipline - further add to its global allure.