The Rise of the Digital Nomad: Over 1 Billion Remote Workers by 2035
Advances in technology, remote working and workplace culture mean that by 2035, a billion people could be living and working as digital nomads. According to predictions, this global nomadic workforce, capable of plugging in anywhere in the world with a decent internet connection, will make up 1 in every 3 employees.
There are already 35 million digital nomads worldwide, with the trend being driven by technology, growing demand for flexible workspace, and the increasing adoption of hybrid work.
What is a digital nomad?
A digital nomad is a remote worker who travels and works simultaneously, visiting locations worldwide, working from beaches, coffee shops and coworking spaces. Some digital nomads only travel for a few months, and others do it for years. Research suggests that 80% of digital nomads prefer to stay in one location for 3-9 months.
Top digital nomad locations ranked
Instant Offices ranked almost 80 locations on affordability, weather, broadband speed and more to reveal the best places to be a digital nomad in 2022.
Below is our ranking of up to 80 of the best places to be a digital nomad in 2022, with Lisbon and Bangkok in the top two spots.
Locations that rank highest provide the ideal combination of cost-efficient living with beautiful weather, superb connectivity, and quality of life. Notably, many major tourist hotspots are comparatively low on the list: London, Paris and Venice all appear far below unexpected winners like Thessaloniki, Gothenburg and San Jose.
Outranking every other city analysed, Lisbon is the perfect option for inexpensive, delicious food, beautiful weather and scenery, and excellent infrastructure. One of the sunniest places in Europe, the Portuguese coastal capital is a food-lovers haven, with local markets and freshly caught seafood available on virtually every corner. With more than 7,000 wi-fi hotspots and an average broadband speed of 163mbps, the city is ideal for enjoying the sun and surf while working.
Not far behind is Bangkok, offering stunning local cuisine, vibrant street-food markets, more than 15,000 wi-fi hotspots and some of the most affordable accommodation of all the cities researched. The average cost of an Airbnb in Bangkok is £27 a night.
Top 10 Cities to be a digital nomad in 2022:
| RANK | CITY | COUNTRY |
| 1 | Lisbon | Portugal |
| 2 | Bangkok | Thailand |
| 3 | Thessaloniki | Greece |
| 4 | Dallas | USA |
| 5 | San Antonio | USA |
| 6 | Seville | Spain |
| 7 | Seoul | South Korea |
| 8 | Sydney | Austrailia |
| 9 | Athens | Greece |
| 10 | Budapest | Hungary |
