For workers with wifi and a laptop, the world can really be borderless: the mass adoption of remote work has created a global talent force willing to take their careers on a road very far from home. This population, known as digital nomads, has been steadily growing since the pandemic, particularly among Gen Zers and Millennials.
How many young Americans are digital nomads today, and how many are planning to become nomads in 2025? We surveyed nearly 1,000 Americans under 43 (the oldest age for a Millennial) to see their plans, as well as how they felt about digital nomadism in general.
76% of Gen Zers and Millennials say living and working where you want is the new American Dream
Right now, 13% of young Americans are digital nomads. By generation, that equates to 11% of Millennials. 16% of Gen Z are already living the nomadic life. A further 26% – over 1 in 4 – are planning to become digital nomads in 2025.
Why is digital nomadism appealing? For nearly 4 in 5, the answer is the sheer joy of exploration, followed by the appeal of a lower cost of living abroad (49%), living a more intentional lifestyle (45%), enjoying better weather (25%), prioritizing experiences over possessions (21%), and finally no longer feeling safe in the United States (a concerning 20%).
The idea of living where you want and working while doing so has huge appeal: 76% say that this represents the new American Dream. In fact, nearly 3 in 5 consider being a digital nomad a dream job, and a further 44% are searching for digital nomad jobs in 2025. This job is so appealing that nearly half would be willing to take a pay cut (averaging 20%) just to be a digital nomad.
Over half of Gen Zers and Millennials consume digital nomad content on social media, whether on TikTok, Instagram, or Twitter/X. Not everyone is so in love with the idea, though: 1 in 4 think that digital nomadism is more a fad than the future.
Living abroad has other perks too: avoiding controversial and tense politics in the land of the free. We conducted this survey the day after the 2024 Presidential election, and found that of those planning on becoming digital nomads in 2025, 43% were doing so due to the election’s results. A further 36% of current nomads are extending their stays abroad next year due to election results.
Among all Americans under 43, over 2 in 5 feel trapped in the U.S. (compared to 39% surveyed in early September 2024), and over half say that being able to leave America is the new American Dream.
Digital nomad outlook 2025: 43% will live abroad at least 6 months, Portugal most popular
What does 2025 have in store for American digital nomads? With nearly 2 in 5 (39%) of Gen Zers and Millennials planning on digital nomadism for 2025, there’s lots to discuss.
As of now, 1 in 10 are planning on being abroad the entirety of 2025, and nearly half (43%) are planning on living abroad for at least six months next year. Most — 56% — are aiming to live in one country, and a similar amount are aiming for countries popular among the digital nomad community.
We asked our nomads to list out their target countries, and it seems young Americans are itching to say “bom dia” to Portugal, which emerged #1 among target countries.
Top 10 digital nomad target countries for 2025:
- Portugal
- Mexico
- Spain
- Japan
- Germany
- Thailand
- Canada
- The UK
- France
- Costa Rica
Top 5 Latin American digital nomad destinations
Over two-thirds want to secure a digital nomad visa, or a somewhat short-term residency visa that allows you to work and live in your country of choice. Often they require a certain income or deposit into a national bank to secure. It’s no shock that 77% are attracted to countries that offer visas designed to entice digital nomads.
Just about 3 in 5 are planning on using a coworking space to do their digital nomad jobs in 2025, which helps address several top priorities when choosing a location. While cost of living is most important for 70% of digital nomads, internet connectivity, climate, cultural fit, and language spoken comprise the top 5. As for landscape, despite countless influencers rocking macbooks in hammocks over sandy beaches, 50% prefer an urban location, while 21% prefer mountains and only 29% prefer a nomadic life from the beach.
77% look forward to a superior quality of life abroad than if they stayed in the U.S.; 30% do worry about gentrifying or pricing out locals in their target country. On the other hand, 71% plan on building community with locals and being good neighbors.
Digital Nomads in 2024: saving over $500/month while living abroad
Among the Gen Zers and Millennials we surveyed, 13% said they’re currently digital nomads: 11% of Millennials, and 16% of Gen Zers. Why did they choose the nomad life?
The #1 reason was to explore other places, followed closely by the more economically-minded lower cost of living. Other top reasons included living a more intentional life, making the most of their time, and living in a better climate.
Digital nomadism has staying power: 93% like being a digital nomad, and 88% would recommend the lifestyle to others. They even boast of saving an average of $572 monthly by living abroad! That said, there are some difficulties to the lifestyle:
Top challenges of being a digital nomad
- Time zones
- Making enough money
- Finding reliable WiFi
- Navigating health insurance
- Coordinating meetings with others
Over 1 in 5 also complain of loneliness.
So, what ARE digital nomads? Their prolonged stays abroad give them a different view of citizenship than most Americans; 52% consider themselves expats or expatriates, or people who live in a foreign country but give up little of their own national identity. Nearly a third (29%) consider themselves immigrants, or people who seek to live and move abroad permanently, often naturalizing in the process.
Whether for short term jaunts abroad to avoid the winds of winter or for a longer embrace of a different culture and higher quality of life, digital nomadism is a great way to explore the world with financial security and a commitment towards flexibility. International workforces are our specialty and we can’t wait to see new generations of Americans hit the road.
Methodology and fair use
On November 6, 2024, we surveyed 998 Americans ages 19- 43 on digital nomadism to capture the Gen Z and Millennial demographics. 49% were men, 50% were women, and 1% were nonbinary.
For media inquiries, please contact media@digitalthirdcoast.net
Fair use
When using this data and research, please attribute by linking to this study and citing Howdy.com.
