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Expatriate Trends
The reasons why people move overseas have changed, and will continue to change over the coming years...
Towards the end of the 20th century, the trend in expatriation was highlighted by the level of professionals being sent abroad to foreign subsidiaries and headquarters. The onset of globalisation in the latter part of the 20th century increased the need for skilled professionals overseas. If employers were not able to find the required personnel, they could turn to recruiting from abroad as intercontinental travel was now much cheaper and quicker than ever before.
Over the last decade the levels of expatriates moving abroad has increased. The level of English-speaking expatriates - with many of these coming from North American countries (including the U.S. and Canada), Middle Eastern countries, the two main Oceanic countries, Asian countries (such as Pakistan) and African countries (including South Africa) - is extremely high, with the potential to be even higher. The main factors facilitating these moves abroad are:
- Work - lured by new opportunities and better financial packages
- Lifestyle - a better quality of life for individuals and families; climate, value for money and experiences.
- Family - moving abroad to be with family or partners
- Adventure - moving abroad to experience a new lifestyle and potnetially gain a new set of skills
Although the economic downturn of 2009 has increased the pressure on expats living abroad, many still are taking the opportunity of moving to a new country or region.
It is expected that new, emerging economies will increase the level of demand for skilled overseas professionals and that English-speakers will form the majority.