Emerging markets compared for market entry
Structural scores (0–10) and an indicative first-year cost for a 10-person team. Current conditions updated 24 September 2026; structural scores reviewed 24 September 2026. For a ranking weighted to your plan, run the analysis.
| Market | Region | Score | Risk | Talent | 10-person first year | Current alert |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | Southeast Asia | 9 | Low | 8.6 | US$1.8M | — |
| 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | GCC Markets | 8.2 | Low | 7.5 | US$1.4M | High |
| 🇧🇭 Bahrain | GCC Markets | 7.6 | Low | 6.8 | US$1.0M | Severe |
| 🇶🇦 Qatar | GCC Markets | 7.5 | Low | 7 | US$1.3M | Severe |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | Southeast Asia | 7.1 | Medium | 7.1 | US$579k | — |
| 🇴🇲 Oman | GCC Markets | 7.1 | Medium | 6.4 | US$967k | High |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | GCC Markets | 7 | Medium | 6.6 | US$1.4M | High |
| 🇻🇳 Vietnam | Southeast Asia | 6.8 | Medium | 7.5 | US$404k | — |
| 🇨🇳 China | Frontier & Gateway | 6.6 | Medium | 7.5 | US$1.0M | — |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | Southeast Asia | 6.6 | Medium | 6.7 | US$438k | — |
| 🇰🇼 Kuwait | GCC Markets | 6.5 | Medium | 6 | US$1.2M | Severe |
| 🇮🇳 India | South Asia | 6.4 | Medium | 7.4 | US$336k | MONITOR |
| 🇵🇭 Philippines | Southeast Asia | 6.1 | Medium | 6.8 | US$370k | — |
| 🇿🇦 South Africa | Broader MEA | 6.1 | Medium | 6.3 | US$587k | — |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | Southeast Asia | 6 | Medium | 6.5 | US$486k | — |
| 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | Frontier & Gateway | 5.9 | High | 6.1 | US$498k | — |
| 🇹🇷 Turkey | Frontier & Gateway | 5.9 | High | 6.8 | US$496k | MONITOR |
| 🇪🇬 Egypt | Broader MEA | 5.7 | High | 6 | US$446k | ELEVATED |
| 🇰🇪 Kenya | Broader MEA | 5.5 | High | 6.5 | US$363k | — |
| 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | South Asia | 5.2 | High | 6 | US$256k | MONITOR |
| 🇧🇩 Bangladesh | South Asia | 4.9 | High | 5.9 | US$196k | ELEVATED |
| 🇳🇬 Nigeria | Broader MEA | 4.6 | High | 5.6 | US$444k | — |
| 🇪🇹 Ethiopia | Frontier & Gateway | 4.5 | High | 5 | US$192k | — |
| 🇵🇰 Pakistan | South Asia | 4.4 | High | 5.4 | US$248k | ELEVATED |
Scores and costs from EmergingMarketIQ’s dataset — current conditions updated 24 September 2026, structural scores 24 September 2026. Indicative only — verify with local advisors.