The Innovative Henley Opportunity Index Highlights the Importance of Education and Global Citizenship for Future Success

Unveiling New Insights into Education and Global Citizenship

On March 4, 2025, Henley & Partners released the latest edition of its groundbreaking Henley Opportunity Index, which serves as a key benchmark for assessing how high-quality education, coupled with global access, shapes future success. This year’s edition highlights a compelling connection between premium educational qualifications and the augmented rights associated with residence and citizenship through investment.

Tess Wilkinson, Director of Education at Henley Partners, pointed out that achieving success in the increasingly competitive global job market requires more than just top-notch educational credentials. "Statistics show that graduates earn about 50% more than those with only secondary education. However, more than two-thirds of the income inequality globally is determined by the individual's country of residence and their citizenship status. The Henley Index compellingly argues for investing in migration as a transformative strategy for families aiming to break free from the 'lottery of birthright.'"

Enhancing Success Likelihood

The Henley Opportunity Index is the first of its kind to quantitatively analyze the advantages derived from merging advanced education with expanded residency or citizenship rights. It assesses various migration investment programs worldwide based on six key criteria: higher education quality, employment outlook, earning potential, career advancement opportunities, economic mobility, and livability.

Leading the list is Switzerland, which offers an investment option developed by Henley Partners that combines private residence with beneficial tax provisions. It achieved a score of 84%. Singapore follows closely with its Global Investor Program, scoring 79%. The U.S., with its EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program and the new proposed Golden Visa, comes in at 78%. Australia, with a recently launched national innovation visa, scored 76%, while Canada’s popular Start-Up Visa program accomplished 73%, making it the top five in the index.

The UK’s Innovator Founder Visa provides a strategic edge at 70%, while the UAE’s multiple categories for its Golden Residence Visa achieved a score of 67%. Both Austria and New Zealand, with their citizenship requirements demanding significant economic contributions, scored 65%. Lastly, Italy rounds out the list with its Investor Visa scoring 64%.

Exposing Cumulative Advantages

The comparative functionality of the Henley Opportunity Index underscores the profound implications that strategic investment migration has on the future opportunities of families around the globe. An example provided illustrates a Vietnamese family with an opportunity score of just 29% in their home country which could potentially elevate their chances for success to 78% by securing residence in the United States through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. Similarly, an Indian family with a 37% opportunity score could heighten their chances to 84% by relocating to Switzerland through the Swiss Residence Program.

Wilkinson stated, "By securing strategic residency or citizenship rights, individuals gain access to dynamic economies, burgeoning industries, and unparalleled career prospects. This denotes that, in today’s world, where one lives is just as crucial as what one learns."

For a complete view of the findings, please refer to the full press release available on the Henley & Partners website.