Global Study Reveals Shifting Trends in Employee Willingness to Relocate for Work

Toronto, Ontario, June 17, 2025 - A new Ipsos study analysing the perspectives of 10,574 workers across 19 countries has uncovered significant trends in employee willingness to relocate abroad for employment. The findings offer valuable insights for businesses, and policymakers seeking to attract and retain global talent in an increasingly interconnected workforce.

The study, which examined results at a global level and across industry sectors, country-specific contexts, and demographic factors, shows that in 2025, almost half (49%) of employees say they would consider relocating internationally for work; a notable increase compared to 2017, when 46% would consider the same. However, rather than being driven by personal gain, employees emphasize the need for reassurances and strong support systems when considering a move abroad.

Among the key themes influencing relocation decisions

1. Connection to Home Matters: Employees value efforts that help them maintain strong ties with their home country while working abroad. The top incentive is paid travel costs for workers or their families to visit home, with over two-thirds (69%) of respondents indicating this as a motivating factor. This incentive is particularly motivating for workers in South Africa (89%), Mexico (85%), and Argentina (85%).
2. Relocation Incentives Play a Pivotal Role: About two-thirds of global workers say various incentives would encourage them to relocate internationally for work. These include temporary housing and paid language training (67% each), a guarantee of returning to their current role (66%), and opportunities to upgrade skills, hybrid work arrangements, and a minimum of five weeks paid vacation (65% each). These factors play a significant role in motivating employees to consider international relocation for work purposes.
3. Flexible Work Options Are Non-Negotiable: Employees seek remote and hybrid work opportunities when considering employment in a new country. Almost two-thirds (65%) of workers seek remote and hybrid work opportunities when considering employment abroad. This reflects the growing importance of work-life balance and adaptability in the modern workplace. The highest interest in hybrid or fully remote work options is found among workers in South Africa (89%), Mexico (81%), Argentina (80%), and India (79%).
4. Quality of Life is a Deciding Factor: Employees' decisions to embrace overseas opportunities are often influenced by factors beyond the job itself. A well-communicated emphasis on a country's overall offerings can be highly persuasive. The top considerations for those contemplating a move abroad are cost of living (47%), crime rates and environmental conditions (39%), and access to quality healthcare (37%). Employees are looking for destinations that offer a holistic improvement in their living situation, not just career advancement.
5. Career Growth Opportunities are Essential: Long-term professional development remains a key motivator for individuals open to relocating for employment. Almost seven in ten (69%) workers across all surveyed countries believe that international relocation would benefit their long-term career prospects. This is an important consideration, particularly in Mexico (89%), South Africa and Turkey (86% each), and India (84%).
6. Economic and Political Conditions Matter: Country-specific economic stability and political climates play a significant role in shaping employees’ decisions to relocate. Employees from countries with less economic development or higher social differences are more likely to consider relocation.

Country-specific findings reveal striking differences in relocation preferences. South African workers show the highest willingness to consider international relocation (75%), followed by Mexico (71%), Turkey (65%), and Argentina (64%). In contrast, employees in Japan (22%) and in the Netherlands (31%) are the least likely to consider temporary relocation for work.

Moreover, the study outlines trends in preferred relocation destinations since 2017. The United States remains the top choice (25%), though preference has waned compared to 2017 (30%).  Other top preferred countries for relocation are Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Canada (18% each), and Spain (17%), rounding up the top five. Notably, Australia has experienced a significant decline of 6 points, dropping from 19% in 2017 to 13% in 2025. This substantial shift in Australia's attractiveness as a relocation destination is a trend that warrants further investigation to understand the underlying reasons.

The study also suggests the resiliency of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies in international relocation despite the trend to roll these policies back in the United States. Across workers from the 19 countries surveyed, the vast majority (74%) indicate that DEI policies are an important consideration for them. Equality is particularly valued in the mining, hospitality, and IT sectors. There is a robust focus on DEI environments across countries, with South Africa and Turkey showing the highest appreciation (90% each), while Japan shows less emphasis (53%). This highlights DEI's global importance despite US policy shifts. It remains to be seen if slowing DEI progress in the US will impact its future attractiveness to international workers.

“This study not only highlights how employee priorities are evolving, but it also challenges companies to rethink their approach to international recruitment,” said CERC President and CEO Stephen Cryne. “In today’s competitive global market, businesses must go beyond offering financial incentives—adopting a holistic strategy that supports employees both professionally and personally is essential. Moreover, these findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, identifying the key drivers that will attract and sustain foreign talent.”

With international mobility becoming an increasingly strategic consideration for businesses worldwide, this research underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach to relocation incentives and employee well-being.

About the Study

The Ipsos Global @dvisor poll was conducted between February 21st and March 7th, 2025, on behalf of the Canadian Employee Relocation Council (CERC). The global poll was sponsored by The Adecco Group, Armstrong Moving, Asian Talent Mobility Alliance, Atlas International, European Relocation Association (EuRA), the World Federation of People Management Associations, and Weichert Workforce Mobility.  The 2025 survey, conducted in partnership with Ipsos Global Public Affairs, reports on the attitudes of 10,574 working women and men in 19 countries towards international relocation for employment purposes. The countries reported include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, the Netherlands, Turkey, and the United States of America. Approximately 300-500 individuals participated on a country-by-country basis, except for Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Spain, and the United States, where each has a sample of 500+. Weighting was then employed to balance demographics to ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. Where possible, the report has identified certain trends observed since the findings of the 2017 study. The 2025 survey includes several new questions relating to preferences for hybrid and remote working arrangements, new incentive mechanisms, the appeal of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, important country characteristics that motivate the desire to relocate, and the likelihood of seeking out relocation services. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the global poll is accurate to within +/- 1.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had all adults been polled. The credibility interval will be wider within individual countries, as the sample size is smaller.  All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to, coverage error and measurement error.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Martin Hrobsky
Senior Vice President, Ipsos Public Affairs 
+1 416 324-2017
[email protected]

Stephen Cryne
President and CEO, Canadian Employee Relocation Council (CERC)
+1 416 593-9212
[email protected]

For more information about this study, please visit the Canadian Employee Relocation Council (CERC) website: www.cerc.ca/page/2025cerc-ipsos

News Releases are available at: http://www.ipsos-na.com/news-polls/

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