How do I invest in dividend stocks worldwide?

An investment in high-dividend-yielding stocks is seen as a solid investment. Dividends are usually paid by profitable and established companies. For investors seeking regular income in times of low interest rates, dividend stocks can provide attractive yields.

Many of the most popular dividend ETFs also focus on quality factors. The aim is, for example, to ensure that dividends are paid sustainably from cash flow and do not come at the expense of the company’s assets..

There are different index concepts available for investing with ETFs in global high-dividend equities. This Investment Guide for global dividend stocks will help you to differentiate between the most important indices and to select the best ETFs tracking indices on global dividend stocks.

The best global dividend ETF by 1-year fund return as of 30/04/2026

All global dividend ETFs ranked by fund return

The largest global dividend ETF by fund size in GBP

All global dividend ETFs ranked by fund size

The cheapest global dividend ETF by total expense ratio

All global dividend ETFs ranked by total expense ratio

Methodologies of the compared indices

Source: justETF Research; as of 27/02/26

Performance of the dividend indices in comparison

FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield index

The FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield index tracks high dividend stocks from developed and emerging markets worldwide. Selecting the stocks with the highest dividend yields from its parent index, the FTSE All-World index (excluding REITs), the FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield index aims to reflect 50 percent of the parent index. With 2,397 constituents (as of 27/02/2026), the FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield index is by far the broadest available dividend index. The selection method is rather straightforward and based on the expected dividend yield for the next 12 months. The selected companies are weighted by their free float market cap.

Methodology of the FTSE All-World High Dividend Yield Factsheet Methodology

• Number of constituents: 2,397 stocks from developed and emerging economies worldwide (as of 27/02/2026)
• Investment universe: FTSE All-World index, which comprises 4,254 constituents (as of 27/02/2026), excluding REITs
• Stock selection is based on the expected dividend yield for the next 12 months
• Selection criteria: stocks with the highest dividend yields from investment universe (appr. 50 percent of the investable market capitalisation)
• Index rebalancing takes place semi-annually in March and September
• Index weighted by free float market capitalisation

MSCI World High Dividend Yield Advanced Select index

The MSCI World High Dividend Yield Advanced Select index focuses on the high dividend stocks from developed countries worldwide. The index includes 211 companies (as of 27/02/2026) which are selected according to quality factors and dividend yield. These include a quality and price-performance screening, positive dividend growth over the last five years, and a dividend yield at least 30 per cent higher than that of the benchmark index. Moreover, the stocks included are filtered according to ESG criteria (environmental, social and corporate governance). The selected stocks are weighted by their free float market capitalization.

Methodology of the MSCI World High Dividend Yield Advanced Select Factsheet Methodology

• Number of constituents: 211 dividend stocks from developed countries worldwide (as of 27/02/2026)
• Investment universe: MSCI World index, which comprises 1,310 shares (as of 30/04/2026), excluding REITs
• Stock selection is based on quality factors and the indicated dividend yield
• Selection criteria: The index selects stocks that provide a dividend yield at least 30% higher than the parent index, provided they pass rigorous screens for sustainability (excluding excessive payout ratios), persistence (positive 5 years dividend growth), and quality (positive z-score for ROE, earnings stability, and leverage), while further filtering for the one year price performance and ESG criteria (environmental, social and corporate governance)
• Index rebalancing takes place semi-annually in May and November
• Index weighted by free float market capitalization
• Maximum weight per individual stock is 5%

S&P Global Dividend Aristocrats index

The S&P Global Dividend Aristocrats index aims at long-term and sustainable dividend growth. It is based on the S&P Global Broad Market Index (BMI), which tracks stocks from developed and emerging markets worldwide. A company is only included in the S&P Global Dividend Aristocrats index if it has at least 10 consecutive years of a controlled dividend policy with rising or stable dividend payments. In addition, pre-defined yield criteria must be met. Despite the strict inclusion rules, the limits for individual securities, sector and country weightings ensure that no cluster risks arise in the index. The selected stocks are weighted by their indicated dividend yield.

Methodology of the S&P Global Dividend Aristocrats Factsheet Methodology

• Number of constituents: 100 dividend stocks from developed and emerging economies worldwide
• Investment universe: S&P Global Broad Market Index (BMI), which includes around 15,000 stocks
• Stock selection is based on the indicated and the historical dividend yield
• Selection criteria: controlled dividend policy with rising or stable dividends for at least 10 consecutive years. Quality criteria: non-negative payout ratio, a positive price-to-earnings ratio, a payout ratio of less than 100 per cent for non-current index components, and the exclusion of companies with a dividend yield of over 10 per cent
• Index rebalancing takes place annually in January, reviews take place monthly
• Index weighted by indicated dividend yield
• Weight per individual stocks is capped at 3%; weight per sector/country is capped at 25%; maximum of 20 stocks per country

Morningstar Developed Markets Large Cap Dividend Leaders Screened Select index

The Morningstar Developed Markets Large Cap Dividend Leaders Screened Select index invests in companies from developed markets that not only offer a high dividend yield but are also able to sustain this yield over the long term. The index is based on the Morningstar Developed Markets Large Cap Index, from which the 100 stocks with the highest dividend yields are selected, as long as they they meet the requirements for the sustainability and continuity of their distributions. A requirement for inclusion is a dividend payment within the last 12 months that is at least equal to the level of five years ago. Furthermore, the payout ratio must not exceed 75 per cent. The constituent stocks are also filtered according to ESG criteria (environmental, social and governance). Companies are weighted according to the volume of dividends paid out, with diversification rules ensuring a balanced portfolio structure.

Methodology of the Morningstar Developed Markets Large Cap Dividend Leaders Screened Select Factsheet Methodology

• Number of constituents: 100 dividend-paying stocks from developed markets worldwide
• Stock universe: Morningstar Developed Markets Large Cap index
• Stock selection: Based on dividend yield
• Selection criteria: Dividend payments within the last 12 months, with amounts at least equal to the level of five years ago, payout ratio not exceeding 75 per cent, ESG criteria (environmental, social and governance)
• Index rebalancing takes place twice a year in June and December
• Index weighting by dividend volume
• Weight per individual security max. 5 per cent, per sector max. 40 per cent

FTSE Developed All CAp Dividend Growth with Quality index

The FTSE Developed All CAp Dividend Growth with Quality index selects companies with high dividend yields from a broad base universe (the FTSE Developed All Cap) that have a history of rising dividends and strong balance sheet quality. The aim is to construct a portfolio of stocks that not only currently offer attractive dividends but also have the potential for future growth and are financially sound. The constituent stocks are also filtered according to ESG criteria (environmental, social and governance). The companies in the index are equally weighted.

Methodology of the FTSE Developed All Cap Dividend Growth with Quality Factsheet Methodology

• Number of constituents: 939 dividend stocks from developed countries worldwide (as of 27/02/2026)
• Stock universe: FTSE Developed All Cap index
• Stock selection: Based on dividend yield
• Selection criteria: positive 10-year dividend growth, expected dividend yield for the next 12 months must be in the top quartile of the stock universe. Quality factors: return on equity (ROE) must be positive. In addition, the Quality Z-Score (based on balance sheet strength) must be in the 10th percentile or higher. ESG criteria (environmental, social and corporate governance)
• Index rebalancing takes place twice a year in March and September
• Equal weighting of the selected stocks

STOXX® Global Select Dividend 100 index

The STOXX® Global Select Dividend 100 index includes a selection of 100 companies from developed countries worldwide that meet criteria for high dividend quality. The global index is formed from the three regional indices STOXX® Europe Select Dividend 30, STOXX® North America Select Dividend 40 and STOXX® Asia/Pacific Select Dividend 30. Securities are selected in the sub-regions based on their indicated dividend yield and their historical dividend policy. The selected stocks are weighted by their indicated dividend yield.

Methodology of the STOXX® Global Select Dividend 100 Factsheet Methodology

• 100 dividend stocks from developed countries worldwide
• The index contains 40 stocks from North America, 30 stocks from Europe and 30 stocks from Asia-Pacific
• Investment universe: The STOXX® Global 1800 index
• Stock selection is based on the indicated dividend yield. In addition, companies must meet certain requirements with respect to dividend quality and payout ratio
• Selection criteria: non-negative dividend growth over five years, dividend payments in four of the last five years, non-negative payout ratio (max. 60%)
• Index rebalancing takes place annually in March
• Index weighted by indicated dividend yield

When choosing a global dividend ETF one should consider several other factors in addition to the methodology of the underlying index and performance of an ETF. For better comparison, you will find a list of all global dividend ETFs with details on size, cost, age, income, domicile and replication method ranked by fund size.

Compare all global dividend ETFs in detail
Compare all global dividend ETFs in a chart

Source: justETF.com; As of 09/05/2026

Return comparison of all global dividend ETFs

The table shows the returns of all global dividend ETFs in comparison. All return figures are including dividends as of month end. Besides the return the reference date on which you conduct the comparison is important. In order to find the best ETFs, you can also perform a chart comparison.

• Cumulative
• Calendar year

Source: justETF.com; As of 30/04/2026; Calculations in GBP including dividends