Report Shows 5% of Americans Have Adopted the Digital Nomad Lifestyle

The digital nomad lifestyle has been on the rise in the United States, with a total of 17.3 million Americans identifying as digital nomads last year, according to Statista. This figure represents a significant increase from previous years, with the number of digital nomads more than doubling since 2019, as reported by VisaGuide.World.

One of the main driving factors behind this surge in digital nomadism is the increase in remote work opportunities following the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Statista, individuals in professions with lower levels of human contact in their day-to-day work are more likely to embrace the digital nomad lifestyle. Industries such as IT, finance, and communications are particularly well-suited to remote work arrangements, while jobs in retail and hospitality, which require high levels of face-to-face customer interaction, are less conducive to this lifestyle.

The availability of the Digital Nomad Visa has also played a role in facilitating the growth of digital nomadism in the United States. This visa allows international individuals to live in the country and work remotely for clients or companies located outside the US.

Recent data from CivicScience reveals that 7 percent of Americans are currently working as digital nomads, with 5 percent working remotely from abroad. However, the number of digital nomads in the US is expected to increase further, as 20 percent of respondents expressed interest in adopting the digital nomad lifestyle.

The survey also found that a significant portion of Americans value the ability to work remotely. Half of respondents in the workforce stated that having a fully remote job is at least somewhat important to them, with 24 percent considering it very important. Additionally, 15 percent of US adults currently have a job that allows them to work fully remotely from any location, while 26 percent are considering a job or career change that would enable them to do so in the next year.

When it comes to accommodation preferences, American digital nomads are divided. While 46 percent prefer vacation rentals like Airbnb or Vrbo when in the US, 51 percent opt for hotels. However, when abroad, they tend to choose hotels more frequently than vacation rentals, indicating that their lodging preferences vary based on location.

Interestingly, the survey also found that only 20 percent of respondents move for a job, suggesting that employment is not the primary motivator for digital nomads. Political reasons were cited as a more common factor driving individuals to embrace the digital nomad lifestyle.

Overall, the increasing popularity of digital nomadism in the United States reflects a shifting attitude towards work and lifestyle choices, with more individuals seeking flexibility and freedom in their professional lives.