The population of digital nomads has grown significantly in recent years, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. Globally, an estimated 40 million people were living as digital nomads by 2025, roughly doubling from around 20 million just a few years prior. In the United States alone, the number of people identifying as digital nomads increased from approximately 7.3 million in 2019 to 18.1 million in 2024, a 147% rise since pre-pandemic times. This boom reflects how remote work and “work-from-anywhere” policies have become mainstream: as of 2024, approximately 11% of U.S. workers identify as digital nomads. What is clear is that digital nomadism is here to stay and is likely to expand as remote work opportunities proliferate worldwide.

Characteristics of Digital Nomads

Digital nomads are individuals who work remotely while travelling or living in different locations around the world. They rely heavily on digital technology, especially laptops, smartphones, and internet connectivity, to perform their jobs, allowing them to operate from anywhere with a reliable Wi-Fi connection.

Key Characteristics:

• Location-Independent: Digital nomads are not tied to a single physical workplace. They might work from cafés in Bali one month, a coworking space in Lisbon the next, and a rented apartment in Mexico City after that.

• Remote Work Enabled: Most digital nomads work in roles that allow for remote communication and digital collaboration. Common industries include tech, marketing, design, writing, online education, and consulting.

• Blending Work and Travel: Unlike traditional tourists, digital nomads often stay in one place for weeks or months, balancing work hours with exploring new cultures and communities.

• Self-Employed or Remotely Employed: Many are freelancers or business owners, but a growing number are full-time employees with companies that support remote or hybrid work policies.

Common Motivations:

• Freedom and Flexibility: They often value control over their schedules and the ability to choose where they live and work.

• Cost Efficiency: Many take advantage of “geo-arbitrage”, earning income in strong currencies (like USD or EUR) while living in countries with a lower cost of living.

• Lifestyle: They prioritise experiences, personal growth, cultural immersion, and adventure over traditional career paths or material possessions.

In short, digital nomads are modern professionals who are redefining what it means to live and work in a connected world. Their lifestyle reflects the growing global shift toward remote work, mobility, and flexibility in the 21st-century workforce.

Global Growth of the Digital Nomad Community

Digital nomadism has evolved from a niche trend into a sizable segment of the workforce. Globally, over 40 million people are living a location-independent “work-from-anywhere” lifestyle as of 2024. This includes a particularly large contingent from the United States: 18.1 million American workers now describe themselves as digital nomads. 

• The growth in the U.S. has been explosive- up 4.7% from the previous year and more than doubling since 201. Today, roughly one in ten U.S. workers is a digital nomad, indicating that what was once an alternative lifestyle has entered the mainstream.

• This surge is closely tied to the broader remote work revolution. Prior to 2020, only about 17% of U.S. employees worked remotely full-time; however, during the pandemic, that share increased to 44%. 

If we are talking particularly about the US, then the number of Digital Nomads has increased year by year. 

Source: MBO Partners, Getontop

Over the past several years, the number of digital nomads in the United States has seen significant and consistent growth. Starting at around 4.8 million in 2018, this figure jumped to 7.3 million in 2019, indicating the beginning of a broader shift toward remote and location-independent work. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this trend dramatically, with digital nomads in the U.S. surging to approximately 10.9 million in 2020 and then leaping again to 15.5 million in 2021, as employers increasingly embraced remote work arrangements.

Even as pandemic restrictions eased, the growth did not slow down; rather, it continued steadily, reaching 16.9 million in 2022 and 17.3 million in 2023. By 2024, the number hit an all-time high of 18.1 million. This continual upward trajectory represents a fundamental shift in the way Americans perceive and engage with work, lifestyle choices, and travel, suggesting that digital nomadism is more than just a temporary phenomenon; it's rapidly becoming an integral and permanent part of the modern U.S. workforce and economy.

Age Group of Digital Nomads

The digital nomad lifestyle appeals to a broad range of ages, but recent statistics show a strong skew toward younger, tech-savvy professionals. Here's a breakdown of the age groups most commonly associated with digital nomadism, particularly based on U.S. data from Statista and other verified sources:

U.S. Age Distribution of Digital Nomads:

• 30-39 years old: 47%

• 40-49 years old: 16%

• 50 years and older: 21%

• 20-29 years old: 14%

• Under 20: 2%

Key Insight: The largest group of digital nomads in the U.S. is in their 30s, making up nearly half the population. This group typically has several years of career experience, financial independence, and flexibility to embrace long-term travel.

Generational Breakdown:

• Millennials (born 1981-1996): 47%

• Gen Z (born 1997-2012): 17%

• Gen X (born 1965-1980): 22%

• Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964): 14%

Key Insight: Millennials and Gen Z together represent about 64% of the total digital nomad population, reflecting a generational shift toward remote work, flexible lifestyles, and location independence.

Global Trends (Statista):

• Globally, the trend is similar but slightly more concentrated among 25-39-year-olds.

• Most international digital nomads are in the 25-44 age range, but older professionals and retirees are slowly growing in presence, especially those with location-independent consulting or freelance work.

Older Nomads Are Rising Too

While digital nomadism is typically associated with younger workers, an increasing number of nomads are over 50 years old. Many are:

• Retired professionals who still freelance part-time.

• Remote consultants.

• Empty nesters are embracing travel after raising families.

Digital nomadism is not just a youth trend; while most nomads are in their 30s, a substantial portion span all age groups, from Gen Z explorers to seasoned Baby Boomer consultants. The lifestyle is increasingly seen as a long-term career model rather than a gap-year phase.

Income Levels of Digital Nomads

Digital nomads aren't just backpacking budget travelers, they include high-earning professionals, entrepreneurs, remote employees, and freelancers across a wide range of income brackets. Based on reliable data from MBO Partners, Statista, and Nomad List, here’s a detailed breakdown of their income levels:

U.S. Digital Nomads: Income Breakdown

Key Insights:

• The majority (over 79%) earn $50,000+ per year.

• About 46% earn $75,000 or more.

• A growing elite segment (10%) earns over $250,000, including founders, executives, or high-end consultants.

Global Income Snapshot (Nomad List)

• Average reported monthly income: $4,500-$5,500 USD

• Median income: $3,000-$4,000 USD/month

• Many digital nomads practice geo-arbitrage, earning Western salaries while living in lower-cost countries (e.g., Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America).

Employed vs. Freelance Nomads

• Remote Employees: Often have stable salaries between $50k-$150k, especially in tech, marketing, and finance roles.

• Freelancers/Solopreneurs: Income varies more widely, but successful nomads in digital marketing, development, coaching, and design can earn six figures or more.

• Creators/Influencers: A smaller group monetises via content, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, or digital products.

Spending vs. Earning

While high earnings are common, digital nomads often spend less due to cost-efficient living:

• Many live in countries where $1,500-$2,500/month covers housing, food, and leisure.

• This allows them to save or invest more, even on moderate incomes.

Digital nomads span the income spectrum, but the stereotype of the broke traveller is outdated. Most are financially independent professionals, with the largest segment earning $50k–$100k annually. A notable percentage are high earners, thanks to careers in tech, consulting, and online entrepreneurship.

Job Sectors of Nomads

Digital nomads work across a wide variety of industries, but they are especially concentrated in fields that are remote-friendly, digitally oriented, and skills-based. Here's a breakdown of the most common job sectors among digital nomads:

Key Insight: The top three sectors- IT, creative services, and education- make up over 40% of all digital nomads.

Common Digital Nomad Roles

• Software Developers

• UX/UI Designers

• Content Writers / Bloggers

• Digital Marketers & SEO Specialists

• Online Teachers & Tutors

• E-commerce Entrepreneurs

• Virtual Assistants

• YouTubers, Streamers & Influencers

• Remote Consultants & Coaches

Freelancers vs. Remote Employees

• Freelancers / Self-employed: About 46%

• Remote Employees: Around 54%

While many digital nomads are freelancers or run their own businesses, a growing number are salaried employees in remote-first companies.

Creative & Tech-Heavy Lifestyle

The digital nomad lifestyle attracts professionals with skills that can be delivered online. Fields such as tech, design, content creation, marketing, and education dominate because they align perfectly with remote work tools and asynchronous collaboration.

Digital nomads thrive in sectors that reward autonomy, digital literacy, and online delivery of services. Whether coding from a coworking space in Bali or teaching English from a café in Lisbon, these professionals are reshaping how and where work happens in the modern world.

Popular Destinations for Nomads

Digital nomads choose their destinations based on a mix of cost of living, internet quality, visa options, weather, safety, and lifestyle appeal. According to recent data from Nomad List, Statista, MBO Partners, and Travel Off Path, the following countries and cities consistently rank as top digital nomad hubs in 2024–2025:

Top Countries for Digital Nomads

1. Thailand: Low cost of living, strong expat communities, digital nomad visa, great food & beaches

2. Portugal: Friendly visa policies, Lisbon & Porto hotspots, great climate, safety

3. Mexico: Affordable, vibrant cities like Mexico City & Playa del Carmen, 180-day tourist stay

4. Spain: Digital nomad visa, good infrastructure, work-life balance, great cities like Barcelona

5. Indonesia: Bali is a nomad legend, co-living, co-working, nature, surf, and lifestyle

6. Georgia: One-year visa-free for 95+ countries, low cost, fast Wi-Fi, friendly to nomads

7. Estonia: Pioneer of digital nomad visas, tech-forward, e-Residency program

8. Colombia: Medellín: spring-like weather, growing nomad scene, affordable rent

9. Turkey: Istanbul offers East-meets-West culture, good value, and strong Wi-Fi

10. Japan: Rising in popularity with remote workers, great infrastructure, unique culture

Key Factors Influencing Destination Choice

According to Nomad List and MBO Partners:

• Cost of living: Top priority for 56% of digital nomads

• Internet speed/reliability: Crucial for remote work (fibre and 4G/5G preferred)

• Safety & healthcare: Increasingly important, especially for long stays

• Climate & lifestyle: Favourable weather, nature, wellness, and entertainment

• Visa flexibility: Countries with digital nomad visas or long tourist stays are favoured

• Community: Presence of like-minded nomads, coworking spaces, and events.

Emerging Hotspots to Watch

• Croatia: Affordable EU entry point with a new digital nomad visa

• South Korea: Rising interest due to urban infrastructure, culture, and safety

• Taiwan: Tech-savvy, clean, safe, and welcoming

• Cape Town, South Africa: Growing among adventure and nature-loving nomads

• Buenos Aires, Argentina: Favourable exchange rate, culture, and energy

Popular Countries Offering Digital Nomad Visas

As remote work becomes a permanent option for millions worldwide, many countries have introduced digital nomad visas to attract long-term, high-earning remote workers. These programs often allow stays from 6 months to 2 years and include access to local services like healthcare and banking.

Below is a list of Popular countries that currently offer digital nomad visas (or equivalent remote worker permits):

General Requirements

Most digital nomad visas require:

• Proof of remote employment or freelance work

• Minimum monthly or annual income

• Health insurance coverage

• Clean criminal record

• Accommodation booking or address

Some countries offer tax incentives or exclude remote income from local taxation, making them especially attractive to digital nomads.

Digital Nomadism is More Than a Trend- It’s a Movement

What began as a fringe lifestyle choice has grown into a thriving global workforce phenomenon. Digital nomads are no longer just freelancers with laptops in beach bars; they’re skilled professionals, remote employees, business owners, and creatives who are reshaping the modern world of work and travel. With flexible schedules, growing income potential, and support from governments through specialised visas, the digital nomad lifestyle is increasingly accessible and sustainable.

From the rise of co-living communities in Bali to the boom in remote work visas across Europe and Latin America, the future belongs to those who can adapt, connect, and work from anywhere.

But while the dream of working from anywhere sounds exciting, the logistics of crossing borders, managing visa applications, and staying compliant with local rules can be overwhelming.