Malta has been ranked the 4th best place in the world to live in the new Nomad Capitalist Lifestyle Index, a ranking of 63 destinations published by the consulting firm Nomad Capitalist.

Malta scored 72.11 out of 100. It holds the best Residence and Access score of any destination assessed, offering all five of the residence routes the Index counts.

The Index scores every destination on five factors, each carrying equal weight: nature and climate, tax, residence and access, safety and freedom, and quality of life and infrastructure. Unlike rankings built on cost of living or salary alone, it assesses the conditions that shape daily life once tax, residence rules, climate, safety and infrastructure are weighed together.

Malta's scores across the five factors were: Nature and Climate 72.6 (3rd); Tax 69.0 (29th); Residence and Access 95.0 (1st); Safety and Freedom 67.8 (32nd); Quality of Life and Infrastructure 56.1 (22nd).

Monaco took first place overall on 73.89, followed by Andorra on 73.68 and the United Arab Emirates on 73.15, placing the top three within 0.74 of a point of one another while Malta ranked fourth.

Malta replaced its Individual Investor Programme with the Granting of Citizenship for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment in 2020, subject to an EU-monitored annual cap. Its EU membership, English-speaking legal system and multiple residence-by-investment routes continue to underpin the highest Residence and Access score in the Index.

Malta ranks 3rd of the 28 destinations assessed in Europe. Monaco, Andorra and Malta rank highest there.

“Three quarters of a point separates Monaco, Andorra and the United Arab Emirates. That is a shortlist, not a podium,” said Khatia Gelbakhiani, Head of Product at Nomad Capitalist. “Monaco leads on quality of life, Andorra on safety and freedom, the UAE on tax, and which of those matters most is a question about your life rather than about the data.”

She added that “by ranking 63 destinations on five equally weighted pillars, we aren’t putting a thumb on the scale; we are just empowering entrepreneurs, investors, and others with the information they need to go where they are treated best.”