As we enter 2026, the global investment landscape keeps evolving in ways that would’ve seemed unthinkable just a few years ago.
Geopolitical tensions are reshaping supply chains, AI is transforming entire industries, and demographic shifts are creating opportunities in unexpected places.
For investors looking to deploy capital internationally, the question isn’t whether to diversify globally – it’s where to put your money for the best risk-adjusted returns.
The past year has taught us that not all markets move in lockstep with the global economy. While some countries grapple with stagnation and uncertainty, others are experiencing robust growth driven by favorable demographics and sound economic policies.
This year’s list of the best countries to invest in 2026 reflects a mix of stability and growth potential. We’re not just chasing the highest returns. We’re looking for markets that offer a rare combo of opportunity, accessibility, and resilience in an increasingly uncertain world.
Each country on this list brings something different to the table. Some offer the safety and infrastructure that wealthy investors crave. Others provide frontier market growth potential that could deliver outsized returns over the next decade.
Without further ado, here are the five best countries to invest in 2026, presented in no particular order.
Vietnam
Vietnam continues to be one of Asia’s most compelling investment stories, and 2026 looks set to be another strong year for this dynamic Southeast Asian nation.
The country’s economy has been growing at an impressive clip for over two decades now, and there’s little sign of that momentum slowing down.
Vietnam’s GDP growth consistently outpaces most of its regional peers, driven by a potent combination of manufacturing exports, foreign direct investment, and a young, increasingly affluent population.
The China Alternative
One of Vietnam’s biggest advantages is its position as the primary beneficiary of the ongoing shift away from China-centric supply chains. Companies that once relied heavily on Chinese manufacturing are increasingly looking to Vietnam as a more stable, cost-effective alternative.
This isn’t just talk – it’s happening on the ground. Samsung now produces roughly half of its smartphones in Vietnam.
Apple suppliers have been steadily expanding their Vietnamese operations. LEGO, Nike, Adidas, and countless other global brands have established significant manufacturing presence here.
The proximity to China makes this transition relatively seamless. Moving production from Shenzhen to Hanoi doesn’t require the same logistical overhaul as relocating to Mexico or Eastern Europe.
How to Invest in Vietnam
Here’s where things get a bit tricky. Vietnam offers tremendous opportunities, but buying property here isn’t straightforward for foreigners.
Land ownership in Vietnam operates on a leasehold system. Technically, all land belongs to the state, and what you’re buying is a long-term land use right rather than freehold ownership.
For Vietnamese citizens, these rights can extend up to 70 years and are renewable. For foreigners, the maximum is 50 years.
This doesn’t make Vietnam a bad investment—it just means you need to be strategic about how you invest here.
Foreign Investment Options:
Starting a business: Vietnam welcomes foreign entrepreneurs and offers various incentives for businesses that bring jobs and technology to the country. Manufacturing, logistics, and service businesses all have strong potential here.
Stock market exposure: The easiest way for most investors to gain exposure to Vietnam is through the stock market. You can open a brokerage account in Singapore or Hong Kong that provides access to Vietnamese equities, or invest through ETFs like the VanEck Vectors Vietnam ETF.
With strong GDP growth, competitive labor costs, and its expanding role as a global manufacturing hub, Vietnam certainly ranks among the best places to invest in 2026.
Private equity and venture capital: Vietnam’s startup ecosystem is booming, particularly in fintech, e-commerce, and logistics. For accredited investors, private equity funds focused on Vietnam can provide exposure to high-growth companies before they go public.
The Philippines
The Philippines continues to punch above its weight as one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic economies, and demographic trends are very much in its favor heading into 2026.
With a population exceeding 115 million and growing, the Philippines is one of the most populous countries in the world.
More importantly, it’s one of the youngest. The average age is just 25 years old, creating a massive pool of young workers entering the economy and driving consumer demand.
Urbanization as a Growth Driver
The Philippines’ urbanization rate sits at around 48% and climbing. This means millions of people are moving from rural areas into cities every year, creating sustained demand for housing, infrastructure, and services.
Manila is home to roughly 25 million people, making it one of the largest metro areas on earth. The sheer scale of this urban concentration creates opportunities across multiple sectors, from real estate and retail to transport and telecom.
Indeed, what makes the Philippines particularly attractive for long-term investors is its demographic profile.
Countries like Japan, South Korea, and even China are facing aging populations and declining birth rates. Meanwhile, the Philippines has a young, growing population that will drive economic growth for decades to come.
This demographic dividend creates sustained demand across multiple sectors. More young people means more workers, more consumers, more families buying homes, and more economic activity overall.
For investors willing to navigate the challenges, the Philippines offers compelling long-term growth potential driven by fundamentals that are difficult to change once set in motion.
Foreign Investment Options:
As a non-citizen, the Philippines offers several avenues for investment:
Stock market: The Philippine Stock Exchange provides access to a diverse range of companies across banking, telecom, real estate, and consumer goods. Opening a brokerage account in Singapore or Hong Kong will give you access to Philippine stocks.
Real estate (with caveats): Foreigners can own up to 40% of a condominium project, making condo ownership relatively straightforward. However, you can’t own land directly. Houses and other landed property are reserved for Filipino citizens.
The condo market in Manila has seen significant price appreciation in recent years, with prime locations in the central business district commanding prices around $4,000 per sqm – comparable to Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur, which are more developed cities.
Private equity and startups: The Philippines has a growing startup ecosystem, particularly in fintech, e-commerce, and logistics. For investors with higher risk tolerance and means to conduct due diligence, there are lots of opportunities to invest in high-growth companies.
Singapore
Singapore might seem like an odd choice for a list focused on growth opportunities. After all, this is already one of the wealthiest nations on earth, with a GDP per capita exceeding $70,000 and property prices that would make most investors wince.
But here’s the thing: sometimes you don’t invest for explosive growth. Sometimes you invest for stability, safety, and preservation of wealth in an increasingly uncertain world.
The Safe Haven Premium
Singapore has earned its reputation as one of the world’s safest places to park capital. The city-state offers political stability, rule of law, strong property rights, and a transparent regulatory environment that’s increasingly rare in today’s world.
Property prices in prime locations like Orchard Road and Marina Bay hover around $20,000 per square meter!
But keep in mind that you’re not just buying real estate. You’re buying into a system that protects your investment, a government that respects property rights, and a location that attracts wealthy individuals from around the world.
Singapore has become a magnet for high-net-worth individuals from China, India, Indonesia and beyond. Entrepreneurs, business owners, and wealthy families are increasingly looking to Singapore as a place to live, work, and store their wealth.
This influx of capital and talent creates sustained demand for luxury real estate, particularly in prime districts. While rental yields are modest at around 3%, appreciation is steady and the Singapore dollar has been one of Asia’s best-performing currencies for decades.
Singapore often made our list as one of the best countries to invest in Asia, and it is, again, in 2026, thanks to its political stability and role as Southeast Asia’s hub.
Foreign Investment Options:
Real Estate: Singapore’s real value for investors extends beyond its property market. The city-state serves as Southeast Asia’s financial hub, providing access to investment opportunities across the region.
Brokerage accounts: Opening a brokerage account in Singapore gives you access not just to Singaporean stocks, but to markets across Southeast Asia.
With an account in Singapore, you can trade stocks in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines – markets that aren’t accessible through typical Western brokers like Fidelity or Interactive Brokers.
REITs and trusts: Singapore’s REIT market is one of the most developed in Asia, offering exposure to property markets across the region.
For example, the CapitaLand India Trust provides foreign investors with access to India’s commercial real estate market – something that’s nearly impossible to access directly.
Private banking: Singapore’s banking sector is world-class, with institutions like DBS, UOB, and OCBC consistently ranked among Asia’s strongest banks.
For investors looking to diversify their banking away from Western institutions, Singapore offers a compelling alternative.
Japan
After decades of stagnation, Japan is showing signs of life that have investors taking notice. The Nikkei index hit all-time highs in 2025, real estate prices in Tokyo are climbing, and the yen, while still weak, may have finally found a bottom.
Is Japan’s long slumber finally over? It’s too early to say, but the pieces are falling into place for what could be a sustained recovery.
Japan’s demographic challenges are well-documented. The population is aging and shrinking, which creates long-term headwinds for economic growth.
However, major cities like Tokyo and Osaka aren’t seeing population declines—at least not yet. Urbanization continues as people move from rural areas into cities, supporting demand for urban real estate.
Natural disasters are another consideration. Japan sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, making earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons a regular occurrence. Building codes are strict for good reason, and insurance is essential.
The Currency Opportunity
The Japanese yen has been on a multi-decade decline, recently hitting levels not seen since the early 1990s. For foreign investors, this creates a unique opportunity to buy Japanese assets at what amounts to a 30-year discount.
Real estate in central Tokyo costs around $10,000 per square meter, which isroughly half the price of comparable properties in Seoul and a third of what you’d pay in Hong Kong.
When you factor in the weak yen, Japanese property looks remarkably affordable by regional standards.
Of course, currency can move in both directions. But many analysts believe the yen has limited downside from current levels and could strengthen as Japan’s economy continues to recover.
If that happens, foreign investors stand to benefit from both asset appreciation and currency gains.
Foreign Investment Options:
Japan’s Property Market
Japan’s real estate market operates differently from most other countries, and understanding these differences is crucial for foreign investors.
In Japan, only land retains long-term value. Buildings depreciate rapidly due to strict building codes, frequent natural disasters, and cultural preferences for new construction. A 30-year-old house might be worth little more than the land it sits on.
However, unlike many Asian countries, Japan allows foreigners to own freehold property without restrictions. You can buy land, houses, or condos in your own name with the same rights as Japanese citizens.
Japan’s rental market is stable but offers modest yields, typically in the 3-5% range for residential properties. The market is highly regulated, with strong tenant protections that can make evictions difficult.
Stocks in Japan
Japan’s stock market offers compelling opportunities for investors willing to look beyond the headline numbers.
The Nikkei 225 recently surpassed its historical peak, but many individual stocks still trade at reasonable valuations. Japanese firms are increasingly focused on shareholder returns, implementing buybacks and dividend increases that were rare in previous decades.
Japan is a strong investment choice in 2026. It made our list of best countries to invest in Asia due to its stable economy, advanced technology sector, weak yen boosting exports, and renewed corporate governance reforms.
Cambodia
Cambodia rounds out our list as the highest-potential-reward option for 2026. This frontier market has been growing at over 6% annually for the past two decades, and there’s reason to believe that momentum will continue.
Indeed, Cambodia is less developed compared to its Southeast Asian neighbors. Yet that’s what makes it a compelling option. It’s still in the early stages of economic transformation, moving from agriculture toward manufacturing and services.
This transition creates opportunities that simply don’t exist in more developed markets. Property prices are still affordable, businesses can be started with relatively modest capital, and early movers can establish a position before competition intensifies.
The Tourism and Manufacturing Foundation
Unlike many frontier markets, Cambodia has a built-in economic engine: tourism. Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious structure, attracts millions of visitors annually. It creates a steady flow of foreign currency and supports sectors from hospitality to retail.
Tourism also provides a foundation for broader economic development. The infrastructure built for tourists, roads, airports, hotels, can be leveraged for other industries.
For these reasons, Cambodia’s trajectory mirrors Thailand’s growth during the 1980s and 1990s. Both countries use tourism as a springboard for broader industrialization.
Cambodia is increasingly attracting manufacturing investment as companies look for alternatives to China and Vietnam. Labor costs are lower than in Vietnam, and the government offers various incentives for foreign investors.
Ford recently announced plans to build a factory outside Phnom Penh. 7-Eleven has been aggressively expanding, with plans to operate 500 stores by the end of 2026.
It’s notable that these aren’t small players testing the waters. They’re major corporations making significant long-term commitments.
How to Invest in Cambodia
Real estate: Foreigners can own up to 70% of units in a condo building, making property ownership relatively straightforward. Land-holding companies, trusts, and property funds also let foreigners own a share of institutional assets like land and apartment buildings.
Business opportunities: Cambodia welcomes foreign entrepreneurs and offers various incentives for businesses that create jobs. The regulatory environment is improving, though it still requires patience and local knowledge.
Stocks: Cambodia’s stock market is small and illiquid, making direct stock investment challenging. Most foreign investors gain exposure through private equity or by investing in companies with Cambodian operations.
What Do 2026’s Best Countries Share?
You might’ve noticed some common threads running through our list of the best countries to invest in 2026.
Demographic advantages: Most of these countries have favorable demographic trends. Vietnam, the Philippines, and Cambodia all have young, growing populations that will drive economic growth for decades.
Even Japan, despite its aging population, sees continued urbanization into major cities.
Geopolitical positioning: Each country on this list is either geopolitically stable or positioned to benefit from global shifts.
offers safe-haven status. Vietnam benefits from supply chain diversification away from China. The Philippines and Cambodia are far from major conflict zones.
Accessibility for foreign investors: All of these countries allow foreign investment to varying degrees. Some, like Singapore and Japan, have minimal restrictions.
Other markets, like Cambodia and the Philippines, have more limitations but still provide viable pathways for foreign capital.
Track record of growth: With the exception of Japan’s lost decades, each of these countries has demonstrated sustained economic growth over multiple decades.
They’ve weathered global financial crises, regional disruptions, and pandemic shutdowns while continuing to develop.
