Future of work

This study of 209,000 people in 190 countries reveals significant shifts in attitudes and trends in global mobility, highlighting a decline in interest in migrating for work. In 2014, two–thirds of global respondents were willing to move to another country for work. In 2020, this number had declined to 50% due to nationalistic immigration policies and changes prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the option to work remotely. Remote work provides opportunities for workers to engage with employers in different geographies without having to uproot their families. Regional responses to the pandemic — such as containment and vaccination measures — were a factor in willingness to relocate. A key finding is the decline of the US as the top work destination. The US is now ranked second, behind Canada, and tied with Australia, due to their pandemic management and perceived social systems and cultures. Some obstacles that employers and governments must consider for out–of–country remote workers include legal and regulatory complexities, time zone challenges and data protection differences.