The Rise of Digital Nomads in the United States: Statistics and Trends
The digital nomad lifestyle is on the rise in the United States, with a total of 17.3 million citizens considering themselves to be digital nomads last year. This number has more than doubled since 2019, according to VisaGuide.World. The surge in remote work opportunities since the COVID-19 pandemic is cited as the main reason for this increase, as reported by Statista.
Professions such as IT, finance, and communications are more suited to remote work arrangements, making them ideal for those living the digital nomad lifestyle. On the other hand, jobs in retail and hospitality with high face-to-face customer contact are less likely to support this lifestyle.
The Digital Nomad Visa allows internationals to live in the United States and work remotely for clients or companies located outside the country. According to CivicScience data, 7 percent of Americans are currently working remotely as digital nomads, with 5 percent doing the same abroad. However, 20 percent of respondents are considering the digital nomad lifestyle, indicating a potential increase in the future.
The survey also reveals that a significant number of Americans value having a job that allows them to work completely remotely. Half of respondents in the workforce consider a fully remote job to be at least somewhat important, with 24 percent deeming it very important. Additionally, 15 percent of US adults already have a job that allows them to work fully remotely from anywhere, while 26 percent are considering a job or career change to enable this flexibility in the next 12 months.
When it comes to lodging preferences, digital nomads in the United States are divided between vacation rentals like Airbnb or Vrbo and hotels. However, when abroad, they tend to choose hotels more often. Political reasons are cited as the main motivation for moving, with only 20 percent of respondents relocating for a job.
Overall, the digital nomad lifestyle is gaining popularity in the United States, driven by the increasing availability of remote work opportunities and the desire for flexibility and freedom in one’s career.
