Where do they pay the most? Top 10 countries with the highest salaries 

Which countries have the highest wages in the world? Let’s list the TOP 10 countries in the world where the average monthly salary is higher than in the rest of the world.

The average monthly salary in the countries is indicated after deduction of taxes. For each country from the top, we will also indicate the average cost of buying a home and note whether foreigners can buy residential real estate in these countries.

In this material, we use up-to-date data from the international Numbeo database.

TOP 10 countries with the highest salaries

We provide a visual graph:

Next, let’s look at each of these countries in more detail.

Switzerland

Switzerland regularly holds leading positions in many world rankings, and the 1st place in the ranking of countries in terms of wages has belonged to it for many years.

According to Numbeo, the average monthly salary in Switzerland after taxes is €6317.91.

Can foreigners buy real estate in Switzerland?

Yes, but there are different purchase conditions for different categories of foreigners. If you are not a happy holder of Swiss citizenship, then you can buy a property in this country in the following cases: 1) you are an EU citizen with a residence permit of category B and C; 2) you are a citizen of other countries with a residence permit of category C. It should be borne in mind that for various categories of foreigners there is a limit on the amount of housing that can be purchased.

In resort and tourist areas, foreigners have the opportunity to invest in real estate with restrictions on area and quantity — restrictions are set by local authorities.

Depending on the city, the price per square meter when buying an apartment (according to Numbeo):

• In the city center, it varies from 8977 EUR/sq.m to 26,403 EUR/sq.m. An apartment of 90 sq.m will cost 808,000–2,376,000 EUR.
• Outside the center, it varies from 6970 EUR/sq.m to 17,954 EUR/sq.m. An apartment of 90 sq.m will cost 627,000–1,616,000 EUR.

Luxembourg

A small European state, whose official name is the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) per capita.

According to Numbeo, the average monthly salary in Luxembourg after taxes is €5,361.04.

Can foreigners buy real estate in Luxembourg?

In Luxembourg, there are no restrictions on the purchase /sale of real estate for foreigners, while the presence of a residence permit or citizenship is not required.

Depending on the locality, the price per square meter when buying an apartment:

• In the city center, it varies from 9,000 EUR/sq.m to 14,000 EUR/sq.m. An apartment of 90 sq.m will cost 810,000–1,260,000 EUR.
• Outside the center, it varies from 6,000 EUR/sq.m to 10,000 EUR/sq.m. An apartment of 90 sq.m will cost 540,000–900,000 EUR.

United States of America

According to the International Monetary Fund, the United States is the 1st economy in the world. 

According to Numbeo, the average monthly salary in the United States after taxes is €4068.26. When talking about the average salary in the United States, it is important to understand that in the United States there is a problem of income inequality, which is much more pronounced than in other countries of this top.

Can foreigners buy real estate in the USA?

The right to purchase and own real estate in this country is the same for both foreigners and citizens of the country. However, it should be borne in mind that by themselves, individual states within the United States can set their own rules and restrictions on the purchase of real estate on their territory.

Depending on the city, the price per square meter when buying an apartment:

• In the city center, it varies from 1,652 EUR/sq.m to 16,517 EUR/sq.m. An apartment of 90 sq.m will cost 149,000–1,487,000 EUR.
• Outside the center it varies from 1546 EUR/sq.m to 6236 EUR/sq.m. An apartment of 90 sq.m will cost 139,000–561,000 EUR.

Singapore

Singapore is a city-state that is the “gateway” to Southeast Asia. Singapore ranks 3rd in the list of global financial centers.

According to Numbeo, the average monthly salary in Singapore after taxes is €3,999.86.

Can foreigners buy real estate in Singapore?

Foreigners are allowed to buy real estate in Singapore, but for some types of real estate they will have to get permission from the country’s Land Administration. It is also worth considering that in this state there is an additional tax on the purchase of real estate, which is calculated from its value. This tax is not uniform for all foreigners — it is preferential for people with citizenship of certain countries.

The price per square meter when buying an apartment:

• In the city center, it varies from 15,014 EUR/sq.m to 27,776 EUR/sq.m. An apartment of 90 sq.m will cost 1,351,000–2,500,000 EUR.
• Outside the center it varies from 9759 EUR/sq.m to 16,041 EUR/sq.m. An apartment of 90 sq.m will cost 878,000–1,444,000 EUR.

Qatar

Qatar is one of the richest countries in the Persian Gulf, whose economy thrives on huge reserves of oil and natural gas. Qatar has one of the highest GDP per capita in the world. 

According to Numbeo, the average monthly salary in Qatar after taxes is €3,674.50.

Can foreigners buy real estate in Qatar?

They can, but not all over the country. Under full ownership, foreigners can buy and own real estate in nine zones of the country, and they can also receive income from real estate in sixteen zones on a 99-year lease.

Depending on the city, the price per square meter when buying an apartment:

• In the city center, it varies from 3677 EUR/sq.m to 7387 EUR/sq.m. An apartment of 90 sq.m will cost 331,000–665,000 EUR.
• Outside the center it varies from 1471 EUR/sq.m to 6068 EUR/sq.m. An apartment of 90 sq.m will cost 132,000–546,000 EUR.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a special administrative unit of the People’s Republic of China with a high degree of autonomy. Hong Kong is the 4th global financial center. 

According to Numbeo, the average monthly salary in Hong Kong after taxes is €3576.77.

Can foreigners buy real estate in Hong Kong?

Foreigners have the right to buy and own real estate in Hong Kong on the same terms as local residents. However, it should be borne in mind that additional taxes are provided for non-residents when buying real estate.

The price per square meter when buying an apartment:

• In the city center, it varies from 18,614 EUR/sq.m to 34,587 EUR/sq.m. An apartment of 90 sq.m will cost 1,675,000–3,113,000 EUR.
• Outside the center it varies from 12,410 EUR/sq.m to 24,211 EUR/sq.m. An apartment of 90 sq.m will cost 1,117,000–2,179,000 EUR.

Australia

Australia is regularly ranked among the top ten countries in various international rankings, such as the Human Development Index, the Economic Freedom Index, and the happiness Index.

According to Numbeo, the average monthly salary in Australia after taxes is €3455.16.

Can foreigners buy property in Australia?

Non-resident foreigners can only buy new housing, facilities under construction or land for development in Australia. At the same time, this requires the approval of the Foreign Investment Control Board. 

Foreigners with a residence permit already have a little more opportunities — in addition to new buildings, you can also buy one object on the secondary market for personal residence. And with permanent residence, you can buy any property in any quantity.

Depending on the locality, the price per square meter when buying an apartment:

• In the city center, it varies from 4914 EUR/sq.m to 13,808 EUR/sq.m. An apartment of 90 sq.m will cost 442,000–1,243,000 EUR.
• Outside the center, it varies from 3306 EUR/sq.m to 8698 EUR/sq.m. An apartment of 90 sq.m will cost 298,000–783,000 EUR.

Denmark

For many years, the Kingdom of Denmark has been considered one of the happiest countries in the world, the reason for such success is a social model based on the principles of universal well–being. 

According to Numbeo, the average monthly salary in Denmark after taxes is €3,395.47.

Can foreigners buy real estate in Denmark?

Non-residents can freely buy real estate for permanent residence only if they have a residence permit. Without a residence permit, foreigners have the right to purchase only commercial real estate or summer houses, but not more than one object. To buy a property, a foreigner will be required to obtain permission from the Ministry of Justice of the country.

Depending on the locality, the price per square meter when buying an apartment:

• In the city center, it varies from 2682 EUR/sq.m to 8448 EUR/sq.m. An apartment of 90 sq.m will cost 241,000–760,000 EUR.
• Outside the center it varies from 1877 EUR/sq.m to 6503 EUR/sq.m. An apartment of 90 sq.m will cost 169,000–585,000 EUR.

Netherlands

The Netherlands is a “country of dams and tulips”, which is one of the most highly developed countries in Europe, and is also among the top most competitive economies in the world.

According to Numbeo, the average monthly salary in the Netherlands after taxes is €3256.44.

Can foreigners buy real estate in the Netherlands?

There are no significant restrictions on the purchase of real estate by foreign citizens in the Netherlands. 

Depending on the city, the price per square meter when buying an apartment:

• In the city center, it varies from 3900 EUR/sq.m to 10,000 EUR/sq.m. An apartment of 90 sq.m will cost 351,000–900,000 EUR.
• Outside the center it varies from 2900 EUR/sq.m to 7042 EUR/sq.m. An apartment of 90 sq.m will cost 261,000–634,000 EUR.

Norway

Norway tops the global ranking of countries where it is best to live and work. This Scandinavian country is also one of the happiest in the world.

According to Numbeo, the average monthly salary in Norway after taxes is €3066.63.

Can foreigners buy real estate in Norway?

Yes, foreigners are allowed to buy real estate in Norway without restrictions.

Depending on the city, the price per square meter when buying an apartment:

• In the city center it varies from 3398 EUR/sq.m to 9344 EUR/sq.m. An apartment of 90 sq.m will cost 306,000–841,000 EUR.
• Outside the center it varies from 2294 EUR/sq.m to 6795 EUR/sq.m. An apartment of 90 sq.m will cost 206,000–612,000 EUR.

Author

Roman Tomashevich Analyst

I show the situation on the real estate market in graphs and figures.

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