82% of employers in the US anticipate an increase in foreign employees over the next 12 months. This begs the question: “What would motivate you to make an international move?”. Secondly, given recent global events, “has this affected employee mobility between countries and also job opportunities?”.
Historically people gravitated towards areas where resources were abundant. While the types of resources have shifted, we still migrate to areas or countries that offer us what we are lacking in our current environment. Whether that is more money, career progression, or a better work-life balance depends on your personal circumstances.
According to the UN Migration report, only 1 in 30 people live outside their country of birth. Does this number sound smaller than expected? Well, it means that globally there were over 280 million international immigrants in 2020. This percentage has more than doubled since the 1970s. Some experts are calling it the “fourth industrial revolution.”
Covid 19 caused widespread disruptions to the workforce over the last 2 years. Companies have had to adapt and embrace digital transformation. Many enterprises have been surprised by how beneficial this can be to productivity and staff retention. It seems like hybrid and remote working are here to stay.
According to the United Nations, The Top 10 countries with the highest number of immigrants are:
- The United States
- Germany
- Saudi Arabia
- Russia
- The United Kingdom
- The United Arab Emirates
- France
- Canada
- Australia
- Spain
As more countries are opening their borders and offering Digital Nomad visas, this could cause a shift in Global Mobility trends. Germany already has the second-highest number of immigrants and as of 2022, they are also offering Digital Nomad visas.
Some other countries offering these visas are:
- Estonia
- Costa Rica
- The Bahamas
- The Cayman Islands
- Spain
- Mexico
- Iceland
- Bali
If the beaches of Bali and the Bahamas don’t entice you to pack up and move, maybe the Northern lights in Iceland will.
What is a Digital Nomad?
The term digital nomad refers to a person who utilizes technology to conduct their business while living a nomadic lifestyle. They often work on a freelance basis, using coworking spaces and coffee shops. They travel to different locations, usually internationally, and rely on laptops and smartphones to maintain contact with clients.
Staying Connected
Technology enables us to stay connected to not only the office but also family while living abroad. Social media allows you to chronicle every part of your journey. You can actively engage with followers regardless of where they are located. This has made it easier for many people to imagine themselves making an international move.
Career Progression
While it is not easy to start over in a new country, for most, the pros outweigh the cons. Even a short-term international placement exposes you to a wealth of experience that you may otherwise be missing out on. According to the International Institute of Education, approximately 60% of managers admitted that candidates with international experience are more likely to come out on top when making hiring decisions.
Being able to put international experience on your CV/resume may just be the thing that makes you stand out from the crowd. To see whats on offer, Alchemy offer a wide range of international global mobility job opportunities covering consulting firms, relocation management companies and much more.
