Employee Mobility Increasing during 2013

Work is one of the reasons why expats relocate to or remain in another country. According to a recent report, over 70% of employers expect to increase overseas business assignments during 2013.

This commitment to employee mobility may mean that there are still opportunities for growth for both employers and expatriates, despite the volatility of the global economy. 

Some of the key trends mentioned in the report are:

• 55% of companies expect to increase the number of long-term assignments abroad.
  
• Short-term assignments increased by 52% and long-term assignments increased by 53% in 2011 and 2010.
  
• There is a rise in mobile career expats, that is professionals who move from one assignment to another, even in different countries.

• Reasons for businesses' sending staff abroad are varied. Among the top five is the provision of management and technical skills not available locally.
  Some examples are Kazakhstan or Dubai.
  
• Locations listed on the report are China, US, Brazil, UK and Australia.

Even in the digital age, companies need to look at a variety of aspects when considering overseas assignments. Housing, security and adequate international healthcare are some of the most important.

Have you got any thoughts on this?

Thanks for reading!