The Rising Trends of Digital Nomads and Remote Working 2023
Updated: Dec 8, 2023
With the global pandemic coming to an end, the economy and global workforce are about to take their turn. After 2+ years of adapting to a work-from-home lifestyle, we are seeing a surge in movements from global companies becoming more remote. From the introduction of advanced digital technologies to ditching the 9-5 work culture, the remote working trend is really catching on.
Statistics from the Global Mobile Workforce Forecast suggested that in 2017, the number of mobile workforce amounts to 1.52 Billion people globally. As the digital nomad trend continues to rise, we are projected to see an increase reaching 1.88 Billion remote working people by this year, comprising a whopping 43.3% of the total global workforce. Let's explore the benefits and factors behind this phenomenon.
The benefits of remote working
According to a study by Robert Walters, over 45% of employees claim that they are more productive when working from home while almost 80% of employers believe that the quality of work has improved. So if you’re still tied to an office desk, maybe it’s time for a change.
Here are some more benefits of remote working;
Productivity - Employees that work remotely have shown to be 35-40% more productive when compared to those working in an office
Performance - Studies show that employees who have autonomy and flexibility over their work-life produce 40% fewer mistakes leading to better performance overall
Engagement - Remote working contributes to a 41% reduction in absenteeism among employees which ultimately gets more work done
Retention - Over 50% of employees would consider a job change if more flexibility is offered, while companies that offer remote work have seen an average of 12% decrease in employee turnover
Profitability - Employers can save up to $11,000 per year per employee when remote work is permitted which in turn increases company profit
[Source: Forbes]
Who’s leading the trend?
Data shows that individuals who are born between the 1980s to 2000s are the main drivers of the digital nomad and remote working trend. This mainly includes those categorized as Generation Y or more commonly known as Millennials, of which who make up a third of the current global population.
What do they care about?
The working habits and characteristics of this group stem from the transitional phase from the conventional analog work culture to a fully digital lifestyle. With that said, digital nomads tend to emphasize a few things; efficient digital tools, the freedom to work (from anywhere), self-development, and a good work-life balance. For practical tips and strategies on mastering this lifestyle, including choosing the right digital tools and creating a conducive work environment, explore this comprehensive guide on how to work remotely.
What are they looking for?
In general, digital nomads tend to adopt patterns of temporary living (with a sense of place), support the concept of co-living, and cherish a community-based lifestyle. The flexibility and relaxed work atmosphere provide them with the freedom to thrive and be productive while enjoying the company of other like-minded individuals. The most obvious example is seen through connecting with other nomads in social workspaces such as in a coworking space.
When choosing a destination, digital nomads consider a variety of factors including good weather, local attractions, number of coworking spaces, and simple visa requirements. Apart from this, one of the most important factors comes down to an affordable cost of living and easy access to fast and reliable internet.
Popular professions for digital nomads
Due to the flexible nature of remote working, digital nomad professions are often ones that can function digitally and do not require a physical presence in the office. They mainly consist of roles that can rely on a fully-online workload, and work independently to some extent. According to FlexJobs, here are some fields that are popular among digital nomads:
Digital Marketing
Content Creation/bloggers
Designers
Software Engineers
Writers
Top destinations for digital nomads
As mentioned in our ‘Workation blog’, back in 2021, Holidu's Workation Index ranked 150 cities worldwide as the best places to work remotely with 2 major cities in Thailand ranking in the top 10; Bangkok City at number 1 and a more relaxed Phuket ranking at number 10.
In a more recent study by ABrotherAbroad.com, Thailand ranks as the 2nd most popular country for digital nomads with Mexico coming in 1st place and Indonesia being 3rd.
How long do digital nomads stay in one place?
Typically speaking, 80% of digital nomads will stay in one place for up to 9 months while two-thirds prefer to use a destination as their base for 3-6 months, and only a third plan to stay somewhere for up to a year.
In the past couple of years, the impact of the pandemic has contributed to the rise of remote working and digital nomadism. But as things are gradually returning to normal, traditional workers who have adopted the nomadic lifestyle are slowing down as many are expected to eventually return to the office. Nonetheless, most long-term digital nomads tend to be independent workers or run their own online businesses. According to a study by And.co on “Anywhere Workers”, less than a third of remote workers actually live the full-on work and travel experience with just over half of them visiting 1-2 countries per year.
With that said, HOMA understands the demands of the ‘new digital workforce’ in Thailand. Apart from being the first accommodation in Phuket with a co-living concept, we offer flexible leases and a true work-from-home experience at our coworking space right on-site. This includes; superfast Wifi, meeting rooms, individual soundproof pods for video conferencing, and the opportunity to connect with other nomads.
Are you looking for a place to remote? Come visit us at Phuket Town or Siracha and join the tribe!
