Digital Nomad Statistics By Demographics, Preferred Outdoor Sports, Education Level, Gender and Annual Income

Ketaki Joshi
Written by
Ketaki Joshi

Updated · Oct 09, 2024

Aruna Madrekar
Edited by
Aruna Madrekar

Editor

Digital Nomad Statistics By Demographics, Preferred Outdoor Sports, Education Level, Gender and Annual Income

Introduction

Digital Nomad Statistics: Remote working and traveling: who doesn’t love this combo? The COVID-19 pandemic just brought one good thing: the remote work culture!  Before this, only top-level managers were allowed to work from home. However, since then, there has been a significant increase in the number of nomads, digital nomads, who live and work in the countries they travel to. These digital nomads earn their livelihood by working remotely and traveling simultaneously.

What do you need to become a digital nomad? It’s just some finance, a laptop, a working internet connection, and a passion for travel, that’s all! Let’s see if these  Digital Nomad Statistics make you want to turn your life into a digital nomad!

Editor’s Choice

  • Digital Nomad Statistics 2024 shows that 43% of these types of travelers are self-employed.
  • As of 2024, Digital Nomad Statistics show that there are around 35 million digital nomads worldwide.
  • Hiking is the outdoor activity most preferred by digital nomads. Around 52% of women and 49% of men in this lifestyle enjoy this sport.
  • Digital Nomad Statistics estimate that, by 2035, the number of digital nomads will reach 1 billion.
  • A large share of digital nomads earn at least $50,000 to $2,50,000 annually, resulting in 69% collectively.
  • As of today, there are more than 3.2 million coworking spaces available around the world.
  • Most of the digital nomads spend at least one or two months at the same place, resulting in 29.1%.
  • 74% of these travelers say travel is the leading factor for increasing productivity in office work.
  • As of 2024, most digital nomads worldwide are white, representing 59% of the total. Asians contribute 14% and lay 12%.
  • In 2023, 17% of American digital nomads work and live in Camper Vans.

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General Digital Nomad Statistics

  • As of 2024, Digital Nomad Statistics show that there are around 35 million digital nomads worldwide.
  • 16.9 million digital nomads are Americans.
  • Furthermore, hiking is the outdoor activity most preferred by digital nomads. Around 52% of women and 49% of men in this lifestyle enjoy this sport.
  • It is believed that more than two-thirds of digital nomads work 40 hours a week.
  • Digital Nomad Statistics 2024 shows that 43% of these types of travelers are self-employed.
  • As of 2023,17% of American digital nomads work and live in Camper Vans.
  • According to Dream Big Travel Far, on average, a digital nomad is 32 years old.
  • Digital nomads are 35 to 40% more likely to be productive at work compared to on-site employees.
  • On average, a digital nomad is a married female who belongs to Generation X.
  • Digital Nomads are 10 to 15% more likely to earn than office-based jobs.
  • As of today, there are more than 3.2 million coworking spaces available around the world.
  • 90% of digital nomads are ready to work remotely for the remaining career days.
  • 74% of these travelers say travel is the leading factor for increasing productivity in office work.
  • Digital Nomad Statistics estimate that, by 2035, the number of digital nomads will reach 1 billion.
  • As of today, 5% of Americans have shifted their lifestyle to being digital nomads.
  • The top three communication and collaboration tools used by digital nomads are Skype (67%), Google Chat (34%) and GoToMeeting (32%).
  • Moreover, Laptop (91%), Cell phones (88%), and battery chargers are the top three electronic devices used by these types of travelers.

By Demographics

The following dataset is segmented into various categories by Statistia surveys based on Digital Nomad Statistics by demographics.

By Nationality

CountryShare of Digital Nomads in 2024 (Worldwide)
United States46%
United Kingdom7%
Russia5%
Canada5%
Germany4%
France3%
Brazil2%
Australia2%
Netherlands2%
Spain2%
India1%
Ukraine1%
Italy1%
Poland1%
Switzerland1%
Austria1%
Sweden1%
Ireland1%
Turkey1%
Japan1%
Israel1%
Belgium1%
Czechia1%
South Korea1%
South Africa1%

(Source: statista.com)

Most Preferred Outdoor Sports By Digital Nomads

In 2023 Women Vs. Men

Type of SportsWomen (in percentage)Men (in percentage)
Climbing13%16%
Surfing15%18%
Diving15%16%
Cycling18%26%
Running21%29%
Swimming24%24%
Fitness40%47%
Yoga45%21%
Hiking52%49%

(Source: demandsage.com)

By Race/ Ethnicity

-share-of-digital-nomads-worldwide-as-of-march-2024-by-race-and-ethnicity(Reference: statista.com)

As of 2024, most digital nomads worldwide are white, representing 59% of the total. Asians contribute 14% and lay 12%. Around 16% of the digital nomads collectively belong to black, Indian, Middle Eastern, and Pacific ethnicities.

By Education Level

-share-of-digital-nomads-worldwide-as-of-march-2024-by-education-level.(Reference: statista.com)

In 2024, 91% of the worldwide digital nomads will have higher education, of which 54% have bachelor’s degrees, 34% have master’s degrees, and only 3% have PhD. Nine % of digital nomads have high school-level education.

By Gender

share-of-digital-nomads-worldwide-as-of-march-2024-by-gender(Reference: statista.com)

Digital Nomad Statistics show that 61% of digital nomads are men, whereas 39% are women.

By Annual Income

share-of-digital-nomads-worldwide-as-of-march-2024-by-annual-income.(Reference: statista.com)

A large share of digital nomads earn at least $50,000 to $2,50,000 annually, resulting in 69% collectively. On the other hand, 2% of those are earning more than $1,000,000 a year, while 6% have an income level of less than $25,000.

Occupations of Digital Nomads Males Vs Females

In 2024

FemaleMale
Marketing (15%)Software Dev (34%)
Creative (15%)Web Dev (28%)
Startup Founder (11%)Startup Founder (27%)
Software Dev (10%)Marketing (15%)
UI/UX Design (8%)SaaS (13%)
Web Dev (8%)Creative (12%)
Blogging (8%)UI/UX Design (11%)
Community (7%)Product Manager (11%)
Education (7%)Crypto (11%)
Coach (7%)Data (11%)
Product Manager (6%)Mobile Dev (11%)
Data (5%)Finance (10%)
SaaS (5%)eCommerce (9%)
eCommerce (4%)Sales (7%)
FinanceEducation (6%)

(Source: statista.com)

By Main Concerns in The USA

most-common-challenges-faced-by-digital-nomads-in-the-united-states-in-2023(Reference: statista.com)

In 2023, digital nomads in the USA voted personal safety to be the major issue, resulting in 26%. Other issues reported were managing work and travel, being away from family and friends, time zone differences, loneliness, and travel logistics.

Preferred Places To Work

-preferred-workplaces-for-digital-nomads-worldwide-in-2023(Reference: statista.com)

As per Digital Nomad Statistics 2023, around the world, 55.4% of digital nomads prefer to work from home. In addition, Coworking spaces, Cafes, and traditional offices are other most preferred workplaces by these travelers.

Top Cities Visited By Digital Nomads

In 2024

According to a survey by Statista, the following are the most visited cities by digital nomads.

CitiesShare of Trips By Digital Nomads
London, United Kingdom2.3%
Bangkok, Thailand2.01%
New York City, United States1.56%
Berlin, Germany1.52%
Lisbon, Portugal1.51%
Paris, France1.5%
Barcelona, Spain1.47%
Amsterdam, Netherlands1.27%
San Francisco, United States1.19%
Chiang Mai, Thailand1.09%
Mexico City, Mexico1%
Singapore, Singapore0.91%
Canggu, Indonesia0.9%
Los Angeles, United States0.88%
Istanbul, Turkey0.84%
Tokyo, Japan0.82%
Budapest, Hungary0.82%
Madrid, Spain0.8%
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia0.75%
Prague, Czechia0.73%
Dubai, UAE0.69%
Buenos Aries, Argentina0.66%
Medellin, Colombia0.64%
Moscow, Russia0.63%
Rome, Italy0.59%
Vienna, Austria0.59%

(Source: statista.com)

Countries Visited By Digital Nomads

Based on Digital Nomad Statistics 2024, the following are the most visited countries as of 2024.

CountriesShare of Trips by Digital Nomads
United States14%
Spain5%
Thailand5%
United Kingdom4%
Germany4%
Mexico4%
France3%
Italy3%
Portugal3%
Indonesia2%
Canada2%
Netherlands2%
Japan2%
Vietnam2%
Russia2%
Colombia1%
Turkey1%
Australia1%
Poland1%
India1%
Greece1%
Malaysia1%
Argentina1%
Switzerland1%
Austria1%
Singapore1%
Hungary1%

(Source: statista.com)

Time Spent in Visited Destinations

time-spent-in-each-visited-destination-by-digital-nomads-worldwide-in-2023.(Reference: statista.com)

Most of the digital nomads spend at least one or two months at the same place, resulting in 29.1%. In addition, 26% prefer to say three to 4 months. On the other hand, the least period for staycation preferred by 4% of digital nomads is more than a year.

Countries Offering Nomad Visas

CountryResidency Validity
Seychelles1 year
Cape Verde6 months, extensions up to same period
Namibia6 months
Mauritius6 to 12 months
UAE1 year
South Korea1 year, extensions up to same period
Thailand5 years, extensions up to same period
Malaysia3 to 12 months, renewed up to 12 months
Argentina10 to 45 days, 180 days extensions
Uruguay6 months, eligible for extension
Belize6 months, eligible for extension
Costa Rice1 year, 1 year extension
Panama9 months, extensions up to same period
Mexico1 year, extensions up to same period
Brazil1 year, eligible for extension
Ecuador2 years,  eligible for extension
Colombia2 years
Bermuda1 year
Curaçao6 months, eligible for extension
Anguilla1 year
Bahamas1 year, eligible for extension
Barbados1 year
Antigua and Barbuda2 years
Cayman Islands2 years
Dominica18 months
Montserrat1 year, eligible for extension
St Lucia1 year
North MacedoniaTo be confirmed
Latvia1 year, extensions up to same period
Norway2 years, eligible for extension
Iceland90 to 180 days
Georgia1 year
Estonia1 year, extensions up to 6 months
Romania1 year, extensions up to same period
Croatia1 year, not eligible for extension
Greece1 year, extensions up to 3 years
Cyprus1 year, extensions up to 2 years
Hungary1 year, extensions up to same period
Malta1 year, extensions for 3 times up to same period
Spain1 year Digital Nomad Visa, 3 years residence permit
Portugal1 to 2 years

(Source: immigrantinvest.com)

By Visa Process

  • 80% of the destination’s applications are processed within one month.
  • Furthermore, 39% of destinations allow exemption of tac payment for digital nomads.
  • Around 6% of visa applications are processed without any visa fees.
  • 17% of destinations have no minimum requirements for income level.

Digital Nomadism in 2024

The world of work is undergoing a seismic shift. Gone are the days of the traditional office grind for many. With the rise of remote work opportunities and advancements in technology, a new breed of worker has emerged: the digital nomad. These daring individuals trade-in cubicles for co-working spaces in Bali or cafes in Costa Rica, working remotely while exploring the globe.

In 2024, digital nomadism is no longer a fringe concept. It’s a thriving lifestyle embraced by millions. This guide delves deep into the world of digital nomadism, exploring the latest trends, considerations for taking the plunge, the unique appeal of caravan living for nomads, and the diverse job opportunities available.

The Rise of The Digital Nomad – 2024 Trends

The digital nomad landscape is constantly evolving. Here are some key trends shaping the scene in 2024:

  • The Multi-Generational Nomad: Digital nomadism is no longer the sole domain of millennials. We’re seeing families with children and even retirees embracing the flexibility and freedom this lifestyle offers. Grandparents are joining their children on nomadic adventures, while families use travel as a way to homeschool their kids.
  • Focus on Sustainability: Eco-conscious nomads are making responsible choices. This includes opting for eco-friendly travel options, choosing caravan living with solar panels, and supporting local businesses that prioritize sustainability.
  • Location Independence with a Twist: While flexibility remains a core principle, some nomads are choosing specific regions with established digital nomad communities. These communities offer a sense of belonging, co-working spaces, and social events for nomads to connect and share experiences. Popular destinations include Chiang Mai in Thailand, Lisbon in Portugal, and Medellin in Colombia.
  • The “Workcation” Boom: Short-term workcations, where remote workers combine travel and work for a few weeks at a time, are gaining popularity. These workcations allow workers to experience new cultures while staying on top of their workloads.
  • The Rise of Digital Nomad Visas: Many countries recognize the economic benefits digital nomads bring and are introducing special visas to attract them. These visas often offer residency for a year or more, allowing nomads to stay in one place for a longer period.

Taking The Leap – Considerations Before Becoming A Digital Nomad

The allure of working remotely while traveling the world is undeniable. However, it’s crucial to carefully consider several factors before embarking on your digital nomad journey:

  • Income Stability: Digital nomad life requires a dependable income stream. This could come from freelance work, a remote job with a company, or a well-established online business. Ensure your income can cover your living expenses, travel costs, and unexpected emergencies.
  • Digital Nomad Visas: Research visa requirements for the countries you plan to visit. Some countries may have specific income thresholds or require proof of health insurance for obtaining visas.
  • Health Insurance: If needed, make sure you have adequate health insurance coverage that extends internationally. Consider emergency medical evacuation plans as well.
  • Time Zone Management: Working across time zones requires discipline and effective communication with clients or colleagues. Utilize scheduling tools and communicate your availability to avoid misunderstandings.
  • Tech Stack: Invest in reliable tech gear that will be your lifeline. This includes a good laptop for work, noise-canceling headphones for focused productivity, and a mobile hotspot to ensure uninterrupted internet access, especially in remote locations.

Caravan Living – Your Mobile Office On Wheels

For some digital nomads, the idea of a traditional apartment or house doesn’t align with their desire for constant exploration. This is where caravan living comes in. Caravans, also known as campervans, offer a unique way to combine travel and work. Here’s what you need to know about caravan living as a digital nomad:

Choosing Your Caravan:

  • Small Vans: Ideal for solo travelers who value maneuverability and affordability. These typically start around $20,000 but offer limited living space. Creative storage solutions are essential.
  • Large Vans: More spacious and suitable for couples or families, starting around $35,000. These often come with built-in amenities like kitchens and bathrooms, making them more comfortable for longer stays.
  • RV Trailers: Towable trailers provide the most living space and comfort but require a vehicle to tow them (starting price: ~$15,000). Consider campsite accessibility when choosing an RV trailer, as some may be too large for certain campsites.

Caravan Essentials for Digital Nomads:

  • Reliable Internet Connectivity: Mobile hotspots or local internet subscriptions are crucial for staying connected with work and the world. Research internet options in the countries you plan to visit beforehand.
  •  Solar Panels: Investing in solar panels for your caravan allows you to offset energy costs and live a more sustainable lifestyle. This is especially beneficial if you plan on staying off-grid in remote locations. * Comfortable Workspace: Create a designated workspace in your caravan. This could be a small fold-down table or a specific area with comfortable seating to ensure focused work.
  • Organization Tools: Maximize storage space in your caravan with packing cubes, organizers, and shelves. This will help you stay clutter-free and make the most of the available space.
  •  Outdoor Gear: Depending on your destinations, consider essentials like camping chairs, a portable table, and outdoor cooking equipment. You might also want to invest in a portable awning or sunshade for additional outdoor living space.

Thriving On The Road – Jobs For Digital Nomads

The beauty of digital nomadism lies in the variety of remote work options available. Here are some popular job choices for digital nomads:

  • Freelance Writing & Editing: Strong writing skills can lead to freelance writing gigs for blogs, websites, or content marketing agencies. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr connect freelancers with clients worldwide.
  • Web Development & Design: If you have coding expertise, you can find remote work building and designing websites or applications. Many companies are open to hiring skilled developers who can work remotely.
  • Virtual Assistant: Remotely providing administrative, technical, or creative assistance to clients is a popular option. Virtual assistants can handle tasks like scheduling appointments, managing social media, or data entry.
  • Social Media Management: Businesses often outsource social media management tasks to digital nomads who can handle content creation and engagement with their audience.
  • Online Coaching & Consulting: Share your expertise with clients worldwide through online coaching or consulting services. This could involve anything from language tutoring to business consulting, depending on your skills and experience. Platforms like Zoom and Skype make it easy to conduct online sessions.

Beyond Work – Embracing The Digital Nomad Lifestyle

Digital nomadism isn’t just about work and travel. It’s about creating a lifestyle that fosters freedom, flexibility, and personal growth. Here are some additional tips to thrive as a digital nomad:

  • Build a Community: Connect with other digital nomads online and in person. Join online forums, co-working spaces, or nomad communities to share experiences, find support, and make friends.
  • Embrace New Cultures: Immerse yourself in the local cultures of the places you visit. Learn a few basic phrases in the local language, try local food, and participate in cultural events.
  • Maintain a Healthy Routine: Staying healthy on the road is important. Prioritize sleep, exercise regularly, and find healthy meal options, even while traveling.
  • Travel Insurance: Consider getting travel insurance to protect yourself against unexpected events like lost luggage or medical emergencies.

Conclusion

By carefully planning, choosing the right caravan for your needs, and securing a reliable income stream, you can embark on a thrilling journey as a digital nomad in 2024. Remember, digital nomadism is a continuous adventure filled with new challenges and opportunities.

Embrace the experience, learn from your mistakes, and enjoy the freedom and flexibility this unique lifestyle offers. Hope these Digital Nomad Statistics will help you to guide on becoming a digital nomad.

FAQ.

What is a digital nomad?

An individual who earns money while traveling to various destinations and staying at the same place for longer periods is called a digital nomad. Usually, these individuals work remotely.

How to become a digital nomad?

It all starts with a remote job to become a digital nomad. Even though it seems fun to be one, it is financially costly to travel across various destinations with daily charges of living. In case, you have a huge amount of savings plus a remote job then you are good to go. Moreover, a digital nomad needs to have a different kind of attitude to adapt to a completely new lifestyle. Thus before choosing this lifestyle, ensure you have enough money, the ability to work certain hours a day, the ability to adjust to various places, and the ability to work on various things independently.

Can you travel in a camper and become a digital nomad?

Yes. Why not! It is having your home traveling with you while you work. It is also possible to run a business from a camper and earn for living.

Ketaki Joshi
Ketaki Joshi

Ketaki Joshi is a professional medical writer with extensive experience in scientific research on illness, health, and healthcare. Her work includes creating feature articles for newsletters and websites, as well as research news stories for doctors and researchers. With a lifelong passion for reading, Ketaki transitioned from a career at a French multinational company to pursue writing professionally. Her dedication to the craft has culminated in the recent release of her first Amazon-published short story, "The Envelope That Changed Our Lives."

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