For many the term digital nomad will conjure up images of a solo adventurer in their 20s, on a journey of self-discovery with only their laptop and a Wi-Fi connection for company.
But new research commissioned by AXA – Global Healthcare discovered a new trend on the rise – the digital nomad family.
The survey of 1,001 UK workers revealed that a third (34%) of people would consider taking their family along with them when remote working in a foreign country during temporary placements.
Living the dream abroad is no longer a solo aspiration as more families embrace the digital nomad lifestyle, looking for ways to escape their usual routines while earning a living.
So, what’s driving families to consider a digital nomad lifestyle and leave their belongings behind as they travel the globe?
Emerging as the top reason for wanting to work remotely abroad, over three-quarters (76%) of respondents with children said they believed it would give them a better quality of life.
Financial wellbeing is another driver for aspirational digital nomad families. Over half (56%) of those with children said that they’d want to work remotely abroad as it would provide them with greater financial freedom.
Recognising the benefits digital nomadism can bring, a third (33%) of respondents with children also said that working remotely abroad would help with family growth, helping to improve relationships.
Sebastian Judez, Global Head of Product and Proposition and a digital nomad expert says: “There is a growing demographic of parents who are looking to take advantage of their flexible work policies or pursue a freelance career, allowing them to work remotely abroad for a period of time with their children. By embracing a travel-filled lifestyle, there’s much to be gained – whether that’s exposure to new languages and cultures, important skills like resilience and adaptability, or simply an appetite for adventure.”
But of course, the digital nomad lifestyle isn’t one completely free of worry…
While the idea of working from anywhere can be an exciting prospect, there are barriers which families are mindful of.
When asked what resources they’d need to be successful working remotely abroad, over two-fifths (41%) of respondents with children said access to education was needed.
Over a quarter (26%) of respondents with children also said access to childcare is needed to help them successfully navigate working and living abroad.
Xavier Lestrade, AXA – Global Healthcare CEO also shares: “As someone who has moved across the world with my family for work, to Hong Kong and Canada, I truly understand parents’ concerns when considering moving abroad with children. It can be a big change to a child’s routine, environment and education, and it’s natural to have worries about how this new lifestyle might impact the family. While taking the plunge and moving abroad is a nerve-wracking prospect, there are steps to take to enjoy the many perks that come with the digital nomad lifestyle.”
Furthermore, a third (35%) of respondents with families expressed that access to good healthcare is a top concern. Almost three in five (59%) said having access to fully comprehensive medical insurance would be of most importance to them while under a third (29%) reported wanting medical evacuation and repatriation.
With healthcare coverage and access to high quality care being a key concern for parents, Sebastian recommends families to invest in an IPMI plan to ensure they have access to reliable, trustworthy healthcare anywhere in the world.
Sebastian adds: “The most important thing is for digital nomad families to enjoy this exciting chapter in their lives. Having a reliable IPMI plan will allow families to make the most of an amazing opportunity without stress.”
Considering becoming a digital nomad family? Here are the top 10 countries to move to:
AXA – Global Healthcare has created its Digital Nomad Index to reveal the top countries for families to move to, ranking each country on a set of criteria: cost of living, access to reliable wi-fi, safety, visa requirements, access to healthcare, access to education for children, and access to childcare.
