The digital nomad market growth projection next 10 years points toward continued expansion, but probably not at the explosive pace seen during the early remote-work boom. Digital nomadism has moved from a niche lifestyle into an established part of the modern workforce. In 2025, MBO Partners reported about 18.5 million American workers identifying as digital nomads, up 2.2% from the previous year and 153% from 2019.
The next decade is likely to be shaped by remote and hybrid work, better connectivity, digital payment systems, flexible immigration programs, younger workers, artificial intelligence, and changing attitudes toward where work happens.
However, there is no single authoritative global forecast that can precisely predict the number of digital nomads in 2036. Different studies use different definitions, countries, and methods. Therefore, the most useful way to understand the future is to examine current data, structural trends, and reasonable growth scenarios.
Digital Nomad Market Growth Projection Next 10 Years: What the Data Shows
Digital nomadism has already experienced substantial growth.
MBO Partners found that the number of American digital nomads increased from 7.3 million in 2019 to approximately 18.5 million in 2025. The organization also reported that digital nomads represented roughly 12% of the U.S. workforce in 2025.
That does not mean 18.5 million people are permanently traveling around the world. The term includes people who combine remote work with travel for different periods. Some move between countries, while others travel domestically or stay in one region for longer periods.
This distinction matters when looking at a 10-year forecast.
The future market will likely include several groups:
- Fully remote employees
- Freelancers and independent professionals
- Entrepreneurs and business owners
- Remote-first startup workers
- Long-term travelers
- “Slomads” who stay longer in each destination
- Families working and traveling together
- Hybrid workers who travel while remaining near their home office
As these groups overlap, the digital nomad economy is becoming broader than traditional backpack-style travel.
Why the Digital Nomad Market Is Expected to Keep Growing
Several long-term forces support continued expansion.
Remote Work Creates the Foundation
A person cannot become a digital nomad without some form of location-independent income.
Although some employers have tightened remote-work policies, fully remote and hybrid work remain important parts of the employment landscape. MBO’s 2025 research found that digital nomads with traditional jobs increased by 10% in 2025 to 11.2 million.
This is important because digital nomad growth is no longer limited to freelancers.
Employees with conventional jobs are increasingly part of the market, especially when companies create policies that allow temporary work from different locations.
Younger Workers Are Entering the Market
Generational change is another major factor.
In MBO’s 2025 data, Gen Z represented 35% of American digital nomads, while Millennials represented 40%. Together, these generations accounted for 75% of the digital nomad population in the study.
As younger workers gain experience and income, some may choose flexible work arrangements that allow them to travel.
This does not mean every young remote worker will become a digital nomad. Instead, the larger pool of digitally capable workers creates a broader potential market.
Countries Are Competing for Remote Workers
Immigration policy is also becoming an important part of the digital nomad economy.
Countries and cities have introduced special programs designed to attract location-independent workers. MBO reported in 2025 that 64 countries had created digital nomad visas.
These programs can make longer stays easier for qualifying workers while potentially generating spending on housing, food, transportation, coworking, entertainment, and local services.
Competition between destinations may become stronger during the next decade.
A Reasonable 10-Year Growth Scenario
Because global digital nomad data is not standardized, it is better to think in scenarios than in one precise number.
A conservative scenario would involve slow growth as companies increase office requirements and living costs rise.
A moderate scenario would assume continued expansion of remote employment, digital entrepreneurship, flexible visas, and supporting services.
A high-growth scenario would assume that increasingly advanced technology makes location-independent work practical for a much wider range of occupations.
The key point is that even moderate percentage growth can create a large economic effect over ten years.
For example, if a hypothetical digital nomad population grew at 5% annually, the population would be about 63% larger after ten years. At 8% annual growth, it would be almost 116% larger. These are mathematical scenarios, not official forecasts.
This is why businesses should focus less on a single headline number and more on the underlying growth drivers.
The Rise of the “Slomad”
One of the most important changes may be how digital nomads travel.
Constantly changing countries every few days is expensive, tiring, and difficult for maintaining productivity.
MBO’s 2025 research found that the average digital nomad visited 6.2 locations during the year, compared with 7.2 in 2023. Average time spent per stop increased to 6.4 weeks in 2025 from 5.4 weeks in 2023.
This shift toward longer stays is often called “slomading.”
During the next decade, longer stays could become increasingly important because they offer better work routines, stronger local connections, and potentially lower travel costs.
For destination businesses, this means a visitor staying six weeks may be more valuable than a visitor staying three days.
Technology Will Reshape the Digital Nomad Economy
Technology is one of the strongest reasons to expect further development.
Better internet infrastructure, cloud software, collaboration platforms, digital banking, online marketplaces, and increasingly capable productivity tools can make remote work easier.
MBO expects improvements in connectivity, remote collaboration, virtual and augmented reality, and AI-powered tools to continue lowering barriers to location-independent work.
AI and the Future of Remote Work
AI could have two opposing effects.
On one hand, AI tools can allow individuals to produce more work with smaller teams. A freelancer might use software to handle research, scheduling, translation, customer support, or administrative tasks.
On the other hand, AI could reduce demand for some types of digital work.
Therefore, the future market may favor digital nomads with skills that complement technology rather than compete directly with easily automated tasks.
Professionals in areas such as strategy, software development, design, consulting, sales, specialized education, and entrepreneurship may continue to find opportunities, although the exact mix will evolve.
The Digital Nomad Economy Will Become More Diverse
Early digital nomad culture was often associated with young freelancers traveling alone.
That image is becoming less complete.
MBO’s research describes an increasingly diverse population that includes traditional employees, families, entrepreneurs, independent workers, and people who travel for shorter periods.
This creates opportunities for businesses that serve different needs.
For example, a family traveling for three months may prioritize schools, larger apartments, healthcare access, and safe neighborhoods.
A solo freelancer may care more about coworking spaces, fast Wi-Fi, affordable accommodation, and networking events.
A senior executive may prioritize premium housing, reliable transportation, privacy, and business services.
The market will increasingly need products designed around these different customer profiles.
What Industries Could Benefit Most?
Digital nomad growth can influence much more than tourism.
Potential beneficiaries include:
- Hotels and extended-stay accommodation
- Short-term and mid-term rentals
- Coworking spaces
- Cafes with reliable Wi-Fi
- Travel insurance providers
- Cross-border financial services
- Mobile connectivity companies
- Local transportation providers
- Coliving communities
- Property management companies
- Travel technology platforms
- Online education providers
- Healthcare and telehealth services
- Local tourism businesses
The opportunity is especially interesting for businesses that can serve people staying for weeks or months rather than only a few nights.
Challenges That Could Slow Growth
A growth projection should not ignore the barriers.
Housing affordability is one of the biggest issues. Popular destinations can become expensive when demand from visitors and remote workers increases.
Local communities may also become concerned about rising rents, overcrowding, and the effect of temporary residents on housing availability.
Tax and employment compliance is another challenge.
MBO’s 2025 research found that 13% of digital nomads with traditional jobs said their employers did not know they were nomadic. Another 18% said their company had no digital nomad policy even though their boss had given permission.
These situations can create tax, employment, immigration, and cybersecurity concerns.
Governments may therefore become more selective about which remote workers they want to attract.
Common Mistakes When Forecasting Digital Nomad Growth
One common mistake is treating every remote worker as a digital nomad.
Remote work and digital nomadism overlap, but they are not identical.
Another mistake is assuming that a dramatic pandemic-era growth rate will continue indefinitely.
MBO’s recent data shows a much slower increase in the U.S. digital nomad population than during the explosive growth period immediately following 2020.
A third mistake is ignoring geographic differences.
A policy change in one country can have little effect on another destination.
Finally, market forecasts should distinguish between people who want to become digital nomads and people who actually become one. In 2025, MBO reported that 65 million Americans who were not digital nomads said they would or might become digital nomads within two to three years, but historical data suggested only about 6% to 8% of those expressing interest actually made the transition.
Expert Tips for Businesses Targeting Digital Nomads
Businesses that want to benefit from the next decade of digital nomad growth should focus on practical needs.
First, make reliable connectivity a priority. Fast, stable internet can be more important to a remote worker than a traditional tourist amenity.
Second, offer flexible pricing for longer stays.
Third, create comfortable work areas and quiet spaces.
Fourth, make information easy to access online.
Fifth, understand the difference between short-term tourists and longer-term remote workers.
For destinations, the goal should not simply be to attract the largest possible number of nomads. Attracting visitors who stay longer, spend locally, and integrate respectfully with communities may create a more sustainable economic model.
What the Digital Nomad Market Could Look Like by 2036
By 2036, the digital nomad market may look significantly different from today’s version.
The typical digital nomad could be less focused on constant international travel and more focused on flexible living.
Longer stays may become normal. Families may represent a larger share of the market. Employers may establish clearer cross-border work policies. Digital nomad visas may become more standardized. Technology may make international work easier to manage.
At the same time, destinations may introduce stronger rules around housing, taxes, employment, and residency.
The result could be a more mature market rather than an uncontrolled travel trend.
In other words, the next decade may be characterized by professionalization.
People Also Ask About the Digital Nomad Market
How fast will the digital nomad market grow over the next 10 years?
There is no single reliable global growth rate because digital nomad definitions and data sources vary. Current U.S. research shows that the population remains substantially larger than before the pandemic, although recent annual growth has moderated.
How many digital nomads are there in 2025?
MBO Partners reported approximately 18.5 million American workers identifying as digital nomads in 2025. This figure refers to the United States rather than the global population.
Will digital nomadism continue growing through 2036?
Current structural factors support continued development, including remote work, younger digitally skilled workers, specialized visas, online services, and improving technology. However, the exact pace of growth remains uncertain.
What is driving digital nomad market growth?
Major drivers include remote employment, freelancing, entrepreneurship, improved internet access, digital payment systems, flexible immigration programs, younger workers, and growing demand for lifestyle flexibility.
Will AI increase or decrease the number of digital nomads?
AI could do both. It may help independent workers become more productive and reduce the cost of running location-independent businesses, while also automating some types of digital work. The overall effect will depend on how labor markets and businesses adapt.
Are digital nomads good for local economies?
The economic effect varies by destination. Digital nomads can create spending in accommodation, food, transportation, coworking, entertainment, and local services. However, high concentrations of temporary residents can also contribute to housing pressure and other local challenges.
Which countries are attracting digital nomads?
Many countries have introduced digital nomad or similar remote-work residence programs. MBO reported 64 countries had created digital nomad visas by 2025. Eligibility requirements, income thresholds, taxes, and permitted activities differ by country.
What will digital nomadism look like in 2036?
A likely direction is a more mature and diversified market featuring longer stays, families, traditional employees, entrepreneurs, specialized services, formal employer policies, and stronger regulatory frameworks.
Conclusion
The digital nomad market growth projection next 10 years is best understood as a long-term shift toward greater flexibility rather than a simple prediction of how many people will travel with laptops.
The U.S. market has already grown substantially, reaching about 18.5 million digital nomads in 2025 according to MBO Partners. Recent growth is slower than the extraordinary expansion seen around the pandemic, but the underlying market remains significant.
Over the coming decade, remote work, younger generations, digital entrepreneurship, improved connectivity, AI-powered tools, longer stays, and government visa programs could continue supporting the sector.
At the same time, housing costs, regulation, taxation, employer policies, cybersecurity, and community concerns will shape where and how digital nomads live.
The most important takeaway is that the next ten years may not simply produce more digital nomads. They may produce a more established digital nomad economy, with better infrastructure, more specialized services, longer stays, and clearer rules.
For businesses and destinations preparing for 2036, understanding these changes early can help them respond to a workforce and travel market that is becoming increasingly flexible, digital, and geographically independent.
