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Whether as a digital nomad, working from home or on a hybrid working scheme, it is almost sure that at least in 2020 you have experienced working remotely.
Remote work means performing your job while not being physically in the office. This means you can be working from home or from a beach in another country; both cases are considered remote work.
Remote work has been around for a while. With the internet becoming more and more accessible, companies found an opportunity to hire remote employees whether as freelancers or full timers, as globalization and technology made offices less and less of a need.
If you hadn’t experienced remote work before, it is likely that in 2020 due to the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic, you tried it at least for a while. Companies invested into technology to make remote work possible and safeguard the employees against the pandemic.
Remote work is here to stay. Whether fully or via a hybrid model, which means more people can become digital nomads.
Digital nomads are people who work remotely online while exploring the world. All they need is good internet, affordable cost of living and an adventurous spirit.
But where do digital nomads go?
This question is always a hot topic, as everyday several lists come out with the best destinations recommended to digital nomads and while some of these lists are actually good, some of these are marketing for increasing incomers to a certain destination. So how can we select a destination?
Nomad List’s fastest growing hubs
Nomad List, one of the biggest platforms offering data and ratings for digital nomads on different destinations, cost of living, internet quality, safety and even pollution, has the answer. It looked at where actual nomads are checking in to give us an insight on what are the fastest growing nomad or remote working hubs around the world.
Nomad List tracked tens of thousands of digital nomads to see where they check in and identify trends of popular places to work remotely. Their lists use a data analysis of more than 130,000 check-ins by digital nomads and the growth in the numbers of check-ins at each destination.
The construction of the report
The report looked at the growth in check-ins over the last 5 years as well as year by year. The rankings are based on the last 2 years 2020 and 2021, this is because the COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected the rankings.
As the whole world went from lockdown to another throughout 2020 and 2021, digital nomads are checking-in more at destinations where there are less travel restrictions as not every country lifted travel bans due to COVID; thus, there are destinations where nomads couldn’t access easily. This effect is likely to continue for the next few years.
That’s why it’s important when travelling a digital nomad to have travel and medical insurance. Check out SafetyWing, a provider made by nomads for nomads, covering them all over the world.
The report offers 6 types of rankings
Fastest growing remote working hubs in 2021
This ranking looks at the destinations that are the fastest growing this year, in real time. The top 10 are dominated by 5 countries (Mexico, Spain, USA, UAE and Colombia)
Taking the top 3 spots in this ranking is Mexico, with Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum in the lead. As mentioned above, this is due to the fact that Mexico has less travel restrictions than many other countries. Here is the ranking below:
- Cancun, Mexico.
- Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
- Tulum, Mexico.
- Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
- Dubai, UAE.
- Miami, Florida, USA.
- Mexico City, Mexico.
- Las Palmas, Canary Island, Spain.
- Medellin, Colombia.
- Denver, Colorado, USA.
Fastest growing already established hubs
These are the destinations that have been growing fast for the last 5 years. They are also destinations who are accommodating large numbers of remote workers at the moment.
This list has much more countries on it and covers different corners of the world, with Europe taking more places than any other continent on this list. Mexico City and Medellin, Colombia appear on this list too.
- Canggu, Bali, Indonesia.
- Lisbon, Portugal.
- Barcelona, Spain.
- Mexico City, Mexico.
- Istanbul, Turkey.
- Paris, France.
- Medellin, Colombia.
- Berlin, Germany.
- Budapest, Hungary.
- Los Angeles, California, USA.
Fastest growing destinations in the last 5 years
These destinations had consistent growth from 2016 to 2020. Indonesia takes the lead here too, as the previous list and Europe also maintains its domination.
- Canggu, Bali, Indonesia.
- Madrid, Spain.
- Kiev, Ukraine.
- Barcelona, Spain.
- Mexico City, Mexico.
- Athens, Greece.
- Valencia, Spain.
- Miami, Florida, USA.
- Zurich, Switzerland.
- Porto, Portugal.
Top growing destinations with possibility for real estate investment
These destinations have been growing over the last 5 years and they allow foreigners to own real estate. This means they offer an investment opportunity for digital nomads.
- Madrid, Spain.
- Kiev, Ukraine.
- Barcelona, Spain.
- Cali, Colombia.
- Palermo, Italy.
- Kotor, Montenegro.
- Mexico City, Mexico.
- Athens, Greece.
- Valencia, Spain.
- Naples, Italy.
Top by visits in 2020
The 5th list looks at the most visited remote work destinations in 2020 whether they are growing rapidly or not.
- London, UK.
- Lisbon, Portugal.
- Bangkok, Thailand.
- Berlin, Germany.
- Canggu, Bali, Indonesia.
- Mexico City, Mexico.
- Paris, France.
- Chiang Mai, Thailand.
- New York, USA.
- Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.
Top by month
The 6th and final ranking, shows where the check-ins are top by month. The ranking is based on Nomad List members’ check-ins.
The top countries in the by month ranking are only three! Thailand, England and Germany as follow,
- January: Bangkok.
- February: Bangkok.
- March: Bangkok.
- April: Bangkok.
- May: London.
- June: London.
- July: Berlin.
- August: Berlin.
- September: London.
- October: Chiang Mai.
- November: Bangkok.
- December: Bangkok.
Did you notice which countries were on every single list? Which destination would you choose?
Let us know!
