Moving for money

Half (50%) of Britons are willing to move to another UK city for a job if it pays more, but only around one in three (26%) say they would move abroad according to research just published by Ipsos carried out online in 24 countries. According to the research Britons are among the least likely to want to relocate within their own country, even if it means a full-time job and a pay rise. Only Swedes (39%) are less likely to move within their country while Belgians (48%) and Germans (51%) are as likely as Britons to move to another city. Swedish people appear to be the most settled, not only are they the least likely to move to another Swedish city, they are also the least likely to move abroad for a better paid job. Three in ten (30%) Swedes say they are likely to consider the move, the same proportion as in the United States. Just over a third (36%) of Britons say they are likely to consider moving abroad for better pay, in line with Germany (35%), Japan (35%), France (37%), Hungary (37%) and Australia (38%). The most commonly given reason for Britons not wanting to move is because they do not want to leave family and friends behind. Almost half (45%) of Britons that would not consider a move give this as a reason. It is interesting to note that among the most likely to consider a move abroad are those in the fast developing countries such as Brazil and India. Around seven in ten online citizens in these two countries say they would be likely to consider moving abroad (71% in Brazil and 67% in India).

Assistant Chief Executive, Ipsos, Simon Atkinson, said:

“We are in a period of great economic unrest and a time when many worry about a lack of jobs or security in their own jobs. Despite this, or maybe because of it, many people are unwilling to move for a full-time, better paid job. It seems that for many the home comforts of family and friends are too much to leave behind.”

Technical Details

Global @dvisor is a monthly online survey conducted by Ipsos via the Ipsos Online Panel system in 24 countries around the world. For the results of the survey presented herein, an international sample of 18,746 age 18-64 in the US and Canada, and age 16-64 in all other countries, were interviewed between 5 and 15 August 2011. Approximately 1000+ individuals participated on a country by country basis via the Ipsos Online Panel with the exception of Argentina, Belgium, Greece, Indonesia, Ireland, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden and Turkey, where each have a sample approximately 500+. Weighting was employed to balance demographics and ensure the sample's composition reflects that of the adult population according to the most recent country Census data available and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe, (in the small number of developing countries where access to the internet is limited respondents are more likely to be affluent and well connected than the average member of the population.)