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Over the past decade, digital nomadism has evolved from a niche lifestyle embraced by a select few to a mainstream way of working and living. Digital nomads are individuals who adopt a location-independent, technology-enabled approach to both work and life, allowing them to pursue new opportunities and experiences beyond traditional boundaries.
Defining Digital Nomads
Digital nomads defy a single definition, yet they all share the choice to integrate work with travel. Some nomads travel regularly for years, moving across countries and continents. Others are nomadic for shorter periods of time, taking "workcations" and working sabbaticals lasting from several weeks to many months. Many never cross borders, choosing to live and work while exploring a single country or region.
GATE
Currently, most digital nomads have traditional jobs working for employers; but prior to 2020, the majority were Independent workers (freelancers, solopreneurs, self-employed, etc.). What unites digital nomads is their passion for travel, desire for adventure, and interest in new cultures.
The Number of American Digital Nomads Continues to Grow
The MBO Partners 2025 State of Independence study found that 18.5 million American workers are currently digital nomads- a 2.2% increase over the previous year.
The number of digital nomads has increased by 153% since 2019 and now comprises approximately 12% of the U.S. workforce. The steady increases from 2023 to 2025 demonstrate that digital nomadism has become an established part of the American working mainstream and is here to stay.
A key growth driver is that organizations hiring digital nomads have discovered that this is a win-win proposition. They can attract and retain top talent who are motivated by this way of life, and their digital nomad workers get to travel and work.
Share of Digital Nomads by Worker Type
(in millions, % = share by worker type)
Despite RTO Policies, Digital Nomads
with Traditional Jobs Increased
Despite RTO Policies, Digital Nomads with Traditional Jobs Increased
While 70% of remote-capable employees worked remotely from 2020 to 2023, over the last two years, many companies have instituted stricter return-to-office (RTO) policies. According to Gallup, currently only 28% of remote-capable traditional employees have the option to work fully remotely. Another 51% work in hybrid models, with the average hybrid worker spending 2.3 days in the office per week.
As return-to-office policies were being rolled out, the number of digital nomads with traditional jobs initially declined but then increased by 10% in 2025, reaching 11.2 million compared to 10.2 million in 2024.
Several key factors have contributed to this 2025 increase. A growing number of companies are implementing digital nomad policies.
These policies provide greater flexibility and allow exceptions for employees who wish to travel while working.
Additionally, workers themselves are adapting to these new rules. There is an increasing trend toward "tethered nomadism," in which digital nomads continue to travel but remain within reach of their offices. This allows them to return as required by company policy, striking a balance between the mobility they want and compliance with workplace rules.
Another factor fueling this growth is the emergence of Gen Z in the workforce. This generation is known for its passion for travel and experiences, and they are helping to drive the expansion of digital nomadism among traditional employees.
Share of Digital Nomads by Worker Type
(in millions)
The Number of Independent Digital Nomads Fell in 2025
The number of Independent workers who are digital nomads declined 7% in 2025, from 7.9 million in 2024 to 7.3 million in 2025. Almost three-quarters of this decline is due to fewer Independent Baby Boomer digital nomads, whose share fell significantly in 2025. Other reasons include rising costs, a weaker market for remote workers, and geopolitical unrest.
Meet the Nomads
Digital Nomads Skew Young and Male, But Women and Older Nomads are Well Represented
Share of Digital Nomads
By Age Cohort
Digital Nomads are Highly Satisfied with Their Work and Lifestyle
On average, digital nomads are more satisfied with their work than other types of workers. In line with prior years, 82% of digital nomads reported being highly satisfied, and 12% reported being satisfied with their work. Few (3%) reported being dissatisfied.
Workers Reporting They're
Highly Satisfied with Their Work
A key reason for this high level of satisfaction is that, regardless of their income, most digital nomads are generally satisfied with their earnings. About four out of five (81%) report being either very satisfied (41%) or satisfied (40%) with their income.
Rather than prioritizing high incomes, digital nomads tend to focus on the experiences and opportunities their lifestyle affords. In our interviews, digital nomads often tell us that earning enough to sustain their travels is sufficient for them, even if their actual income is comparatively modest.
To help stretch their income, many digital nomads work from places with relatively low living costs, while having employers in higher-wage countries. Combining low-cost living with higher expat income, they
can take advantage of income/living cost "geo-arbitrage." This enables lower-income digital nomads to fund their travels, spend less time working to support themselves, and spend more time enjoying their adventures.
Digital nomad satisfaction levels are also high because they are able to travel when and where they want. Other benefits include better work/life balance, experiencing new cultures, and meeting new people. Both traditional employees and independent digital nomad workers report liking the work/life flexibility and autonomy associated with being a digital nomad. Digital nomads are also confident about the future. Eight in ten (81%) say they are optimistic about the future of their career.
A key reason for this high level of satisfaction is that, regardless of their income, most digital nomads are generally satisfied with their earnings. About four out of five (81%) report being either very satisfied (41%) or satisfied (40%) with their income.
Rather than prioritizing high incomes, digital nomads tend to focus on the experiences and opportunities their lifestyle affords. In our interviews, digital nomads often tell us that earning enough to sustain their travels is sufficient for them, even if their actual income is comparatively modest.
To help stretch their income, many digital nomads work from places with relatively low living costs, while having employers in higher-wage countries. Combining low-cost living with higher expat income, they can take advantage of income/living cost "geo-arbitrage." This enables lower-income digital nomads to fund their travels, spend less time working to support themselves, and spend more time enjoying their adventures.
Digital nomad satisfaction levels are also high because they are able to travel when and where they want. Other benefits include better work/life balance, experiencing new cultures, and meeting new people. Both traditional employees and independent digital nomad workers report liking the work/life flexibility and autonomy associated with being a digital nomad. Digital nomads are also confident about the future. Eight in ten (81%) say they are optimistic about the future of their career.
Top Benefits of Being a Digital Nomad
Digital Nomad Challenges
While digital nomads consistently report high levels of satisfaction with their work and lifestyle, nomadism comes with its own set of challenges.
The most cited difficulties include being away from family and friends (26%), experiencing financial stress (26%), concerns about personal safety (25%), travel burnout (23%), difficulties working across different time zones (21%), and feelings of loneliness (19%). These challenges have remained consistent with those reported in prior years.
Despite these ongoing issues, the proportion of digital nomads mentioning these challenges has decreased since 2020. Additionally, the growing number of destinations catering to digital nomads has played a significant role. These locations offer a broad range of services that help mitigate the difficulties associated with a nomadic lifestyle, thereby improving the overall experience for digital nomads.
Most Digital Nomads Plan to Continue, But Few Do It Long Term
Almost all (93%) digital nomads say they definitely (58%) or maybe (35%) will continue to be digital nomads. However, only 11% of current digital nomads report being a digital nomad for more than five years, with almost three-quarters (73%) saying they've been a digital nomad for three years or less. The combination of constant travel and work presents unique challenges that can make this lifestyle demanding and, at times, overwhelming. As a result, we estimate that each year, between 19% and 22% of digital nomads choose to return to a more traditional lifestyle.
But even after they've stopped, the pull of digital nomadism is strong. More than eight-in-ten (83%) of former digital nomads report they will return (25%) to digital nomadism in the future, and 59% say they may. Despite its challenges, the freedom and adventure inherent in digital nomadism continue to attract those who have experienced it.
U.S. Digital Nomads are Spending More Time Traveling Domestically
Nearly four out of ten (37%) digital nomads plan to spend more time in the U.S. next year and less time abroad, and only 17% intend to spend more time traveling internationally. This domestic focus is further emphasized by the fact that 39% expect to travel exclusively within the U.S., while a mere 4% plan to spend the entire year outside the country.
Reasons for this shift are that return-to-office policies often require digital nomads to stay within a reasonable distance of their job locations, and that nomads desire to be closer to families and friends. This is not surprising given that being away from family and friends is the top challenge for digital nomads. Other contributing factors include negative sentiment toward digital nomads in some popular destinations and broader geopolitical tensions, both of which make international travel less appealing.
Slomading Continues to Increase in Popularity
The study also highlights an ongoing shift in the number of locations digital nomads visit, and how long they stay at each location. Rather than visiting a large number of places, nomads are opting to stay longer at fewer destinations. This approach, often referred to as "slomading," fosters a more active social life, deeper learning about local cultures, and reduces the stress associated with frequent travel.
Additionally, it leads to improved work productivity by allowing nomads to settle into longer stays.
In 2025, the average digital nomad visited 6.2 locations, compared to 6.6 in 2024 and 7.2 in 2023. The amount of time spent at each location has also increased, with digital nomads averaging 6.4 weeks per stop in 2025, up from 5.7 weeks in 2024 and 5.4 weeks in 2023.
Well-Educated, Tech and AI Savvy,
and In-Demand
Well-Educated, Tech and AI Savvy, and In-Demand
Digital nomads work in a wide variety of fields, with many in fields that are experiencing skilled worker shortages. Their main professions include information technology, creative services, sales, marketing and communications, finance and accounting, research and development, and consulting. The unifying theme of these professions is that they use digital tools to produce work that can be performed remotely.
Since most digital nomads rely on digital tools and the internet in their work, it's not surprising that they report having strong technical and artificial intelligence (AI) skills. Eight in ten digital nomads (83%) report they are early adopters of technology, and 78% say they use technology to make themselves more competitive in their work.
Because digital nomads spend most of their time working remotely, they're experienced users of remote work technologies, with 85% saying their work depends on digital connections and technology. Also, 49% report earning money in the creator economy, which requires strong social media skills.
Digital nomads also report high artificial intelligence (AI) usage rates and skills compared to other workers. Nine in ten digital nomads (89%) report using AI in their work, and 88% say they're advanced (42%) or intermediate (46%) AI users.
Digital nomads are also, on average, well-educated, with 54% holding a college degree or higher (compared to 35% of adult Americans) and 19% reporting an advanced degree (compared to 13% of adult Americans).
Digital Nomads More Likely to Use AI and Report Being More Skilled
Employee Digital Nomads and Compliance Risk
Due to their frequent travels and remote work arrangements, digital nomads with traditional jobs can expose their employers to a wide range of regulatory, tax, compliance, and legal risks. In many cases, these employees operate "off the grid"-both literally and figuratively-by creating informal agreements with their managers or choosing to travel without the knowledge of their organization. Frequently, digital nomads work under informal "don't ask, don't tell" agreements, allowing them to maintain nomadic lifestyles while remaining employed by companies that may be unaware of their movements.
Similar to the results of prior years, 13% of digital nomads with traditional jobs reported that their employers are unaware they are nomadic.
An additional 18% say their company does not have a digital nomad policy, but their boss has given them permission to work nomadically. Combined, this means that nearly one-third of digital nomads with traditional jobs are "hidden nomad employees"-individuals whose employers are unaware of their work location at any given time.
This means they could potentially break local employment laws and regulations without their employer being aware of it. Beyond legal and compliance issues, not knowing where employees are working from also introduces increased cybersecurity risks, as organizations may not be able to monitor or secure remote working environments effectively.
Millions Aspire to be Digital Nomads
Each year, we ask adult Americans who aren't digital nomads if they plan on becoming digital nomads over the next 2-3 years. In 2025, the results project to 65 million saying yes (14 million) or maybe (51 million).
However, our previous studies indicate that only about 6% to 8% of those saying they will or may become digital nomads will actually do so. Despite the lack of action, our data shows how attractive this lifestyle is and that a pool of digital nomad aspirants are ready to fuel the digital nomad trend into the future.
The Future of Digital Nomadism
Since we launched the MBO Partners' Digital Nomad study series seven years ago, digital nomadism has evolved from a niche lifestyle embraced by an adventurous few to a mainstream movement reshaping how we think about work and place. Today, about one in ten working Americans is a digital nomad, and the size and scale of the group have created a strong foundation for future growth. Here are four trends to watch in the coming years.
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The mainstreaming of digital nomadism will continue:
Digital nomads have entered the mainstream, and today's group looks far different from the early days - more families, more industries, and more diverse ways of living and working beyond the early stereotype of solo workers traveling the world with a laptop. Gen Z will drive much of this expansion, with digital nomad families becoming increasingly common, more companies implementing digital nomad policies that allow their employees greater and more compliant travel flexibility, and a wider range of Americans from all walks of life embracing the lifestyle.
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Countries and cities are competing for digital nomads:
Governments have recognized the economic opportunity digital nomads represent. Two-thirds of the world's countries (64) have created digital nomad visas to help them compete for educated, high-earning nomads. Many countries and cities have also developed new programs, streamlined bureaucracy, and even created "nomad villages" to attract and retain location-independent professionals. This competition will continue to heat up due to the increasing demand for workers with specialized skills, especially in AI.
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A growing support industry is making it easier to be a digital nomad:
A wide variety of organizations are now providing products and services to assist digital nomads, everything from cross-border health insurance and financial services to temporary work and living spaces, as well as job sites specifically for nomads. Digital nomad villages-organized communities that provide the work, social, and living infrastructure for remote workers and their families-are also springing up worldwide.
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Remote work technology and methods will continue to improve:
Technology will continue lowering the barriers to nomadic work. Improvements in global internet infrastructure will make the internet faster and more reliable, remote collaboration and teaming software will continue to improve, and virtual and augmented reality tools will enable more immersive remote collaboration. AI assistants will help digital nomads navigate language barriers, local regulations, cultural nuances, and travel planning more effectively.
Following the explosive growth of American digital nomads between 2020 and 2022, we've seen modest increases in their numbers in 2023, 2024, and 2025. This slowdown was expected due to the pandemic easing, life and work returning to normal, and more workers expected to show up, at least occasionally, at the office.
However, the factors fueling digital nomadism remain firmly in place: people's desire to travel, the rise of Gen Z in the workforce, and the continued shift to remote work. Together, these forces ensure that digital nomadism will keep expanding in the years ahead.
From an adventurous niche to a mainstream movement, digital nomadism has become a defining feature of the modern workforce. As technology advances and worker expectations shift, the line between where we live and where we work will continue to blur. Digital nomads embody this shift - blending flexibility, autonomy, and productivity - and their continued growth points to a future where location independence is not an exception, but an established choice in the world of work. For organizations, recognizing and preparing for this trend will be key to attracting and retaining talent in an increasingly competitive landscape.