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.
Unsurprisingly, over half the cities analysed in our top 60 are in Asia. Cities like Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Hong Kong offer captivating travel experiences, scenery and food alongside stellar connectivity, infrastructure and a manageable cost of living.
Bustling metropolises across Central, East, South, Southeast and Western Asia are perfect for digital nomads who want to explore some of the world’s most iconic business centres and enjoy a continent full of exciting travel opportunities and sights. Demand for flexible office space in places like Singapore and Hong Kong is high as more people look to new ways of using workspace, meaning you can easily find creative coworking spaces, meeting rooms and serviced offices to work from as you travel.
Connectivity is also second to none. Singapore boasts the fastest average broadband speed in this ranking, at 256 Mbps, while Jakarta has more than 97,000 wi-fi hotspots across the city.
Top cities for digital nomads in Asia
| Rank | City | Country |
| 1 | Bangkok | Thailand |
| 2 | Seoul | South Korea |
| 3 | Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia |
| 4 | Ho Chi Minh City | Vietnam |
| 5 | Delhi | India |
| 6 | Hong Kong | China |
| 7 | Beijing | China |
| 8 | Jakarta | India |
| 9 | Kathmandu | Nepal |
| 10 | Shanghai | China |
| 11 | Singapore | Singapore |
| 12 | Taipei | Taiwan |
| 13 | Istanbul | Turkey |
| 14 | Tokyo | Japan |
| 15 | Hanoi | Vietnam |
| 16 | Phnom Penh | Cambodia |
| 17 | Osaka | Japan |
| 18 | Jerusalem | Israel |
| 19 | Kyoto | Japan |
| 20 | Manila | Philippines |
Neighbouring countries in Asia-Pacific also feature high on the list for digital nomads, with Australia and New Zealand both offering plenty of coworking space, delicious cuisine, travel opportunities and probably most appealing of all, unparalleled sunny weather.
Travel while you work: a trend that’s here to stay
Trends in commercial property reflect the general movement towards increased workplace flexibility. . As the role of the office changes and flexibility increases globally, more people will be able to travel and work virtually anywhere.
Our market forecasts show flexible workspace as a proportion of the total office market will grow from 5% to almost 13% by 2025
Discover a flexible workspace that suits your working style anywhere in the world.
Let me know if you need any more information or data.
To view the full 80 locations ranked and more information visit here.
