What are the top triggers for international talent relocation?
What compels international talent to make the significant decision to relocate? Our latest report of recently-mobile workers, What Talent Wants, asked about the primary trigger that resulted in their most recent move, with the ability to select only one option.
The respondents chose from among 15 options (along with “other”) and the results show a diverse range of motivations. Standing out was the acceptance of a new job, followed by improving one’s standard of living. Beyond that, the selections were quite even, with remote work, new education or training opportunities and the proximity to family rounding out the top 5.
Primary triggers for relocation.
With no more than two percentage points separating the third-most popular choice with the 10th-most popular, talent is clearly compelled to move for a variety of reasons. Even looking at regional data, the same top two selections were popular choices.
Exceptions were in Benelux, which favours being closer to family (No. 2 at 13%); France, which likes working remotely and trying something new (No. 2 at 11%); Germany, which likes additional education or training (No. 2 at 11%); and the Nordic countries, which want a larger living space (No. 2 at 11%). The differences between age groups and tech and non-tech workers are minimal, although tech workers are more likely to relocate for a new job (17% vs. 13% for non-tech).
What is the job status of those who decide to relocate?
The high ranking of accepting a new job across most countries underscores the continuing importance of career opportunities in driving talent mobility. We pushed further on this topic to understand which percentage of workers moved with a job in hand versus those who took a leap without one.
In total, 63% had a job in the new location before they moved, while another 21% had a remote job that allowed them to work from anywhere. Less than 2 in 10 workers relocated without any job at all.
Job status in new location when relocating, by country/region.
As we can see, talent predominantly moves with a job already secured. Combined with the high-ranking of accepting a job as the primary trigger for relocation, the importance of career aspirations on the decision-process for international talent is clear. This is a leading reason why so many global talent attracation initiatives include a jobs board featuring local openings for regional employers.
To help inform your talent attraction and retention activities, download a full copy of What Talent Wants: Capturing What Europe’s Workforce Seeks in Jobs & Locations.
Need help with your talent attraction initiative?
C Studios is the marketing agency for places. We can help your city, region or country become more findable, credible and loveable in the eyes of decisions-makers.