Expat statistics: How many are we?
Interested in some Expat Statistics?
Recently I started wondering how many Expats and Expat Wives are currently living abroad. After some research I found a couple of surveys from different years and conducted by surveying major companies worldwide. The surveys from different years show some minor but very interesting trends – especially in regards to female Expats and Expat partners. I have put together a small Infographic with the key finding. Let me know what you think about it.
Expat statistics: key facts
My first insight: Corporate transferees are only 4% of all Expats working and living abroad. While there are over 50 Million Expats, only 8.4 Millionare defined as corporate transferees. This number is expected to grow further.
The number of female Expats is rising: While 2012 there were only 20% female Expats sent abroad by companies this figure has risen to 25% in the last couple of years. It is expected to grow further since it is a vital career step to take.
Rather obvious fact: Going abroad is mostly a family decision. 70% of all corporate transferees are married or partnered.
However most noteworthy: The fear of potential unemployment for the partner is real!
27% of all Expats are leaving their family behind to not risk the professional life of the partner. This is seen as a major trend leading to shorter time periods abroad.
Only 20% of all Expat partners/spouses have been working before AND during their time abroad while the majority of 49% was not able/allowed to find a job again.
Considering this figure with the total number of male Expats living abroad together with their family, that results in 1.5 Million women who quit their job due to the relocation of their husband.
Another interesting fact: The question wether the partner will have a job abroad will get bigger. 33% of the companies questioned see this factor rising in importance.
Companies are aware of the fact that the partner plays a crucial role in the decision process of going abroad or not.
Last but not least: “Family related issues” is the most common reason for Expat failure and an early return home.
Want some good vibes in your mail?
all key expat figures in one graphic
What do you think about the Expat Statistics? Let me know!
I hope you find this overview helpful.
My two major sources have been the Global Mobility Trends Survey by BGRS from different years and the free summary of Global Expatriates by Finaccord.
Have you found other interesting figures?
Let me know in the comments below or send me a direct mail to info@sharethelove.blog.
You can also subscribe to my newsletter for not missing out on new blog posts. It’s free and I promise I won’t spam you 🙂
Have you seen my other posts about being an Expat Wife? Check out my latest blog post here. Thanks for stopping by and sharing the love!
Thanks for sharing the love and stopping by
Share this article with a friend and share the love:
You also might like:
Should I stay or should I go?
The pandemic is entering a new phase. How do I know that? The fact that more women are approaching me again who are faced with the decision of whether or not to move abroad tells me the world starts spinning again. For a long time, companies froze and suspended their international assignments. Now it seems to start slowly again and especially women from Europe with possible assignments to America are just approaching me. So I thought it would be a good time to talk about this crucial phase of the decision-making process.
The 4 different types of expat partners
In this blog post, I will paint a picture of the accompanying partner trying to summarize different study findings. It will help you to get a feeling for the wide range of personalities of the expat partners.
Your path to a purposeful career
Finding your purpose. It’s become a bit of a buzzword, hasn’t it? An entire generation (and now parts of previous generations as well) are striving for a job that not only offers an attractive paycheck but is also fulfilling and singing. In other words, it has a purpose.
But what is a career led by purpose and how do I find it? I will answer these questions in this blog post.
Overcoming bureaucracy and the long path to find professional purpose abroad – Role Model Story Patricia
I would like to present you today, at Christmas time, a very special Role Model Story. It is a story that shows what happens when you persistently work on your goal and keep a profound fear behind you. It is a beautiful, emotional, touching story and I am very happy and proud that the protagonist this time is a friend of mine. Let’s start with this wonderful role model portrait.
What is your vision for 2022?
Have you manifested your goals for 2022 yet? Learn about helpful steps to visualize your goals and learn all about creating a vision board in this blog post.
Can you have it all? A global career and a happy family?
There are several potential reasons, why the vast majority of expats sent abroad by companies are still men. One of the often-mentioned myths is the question of balancing motherhood and a global career. In this article, you will learn about the different family models Female Expats choose and the essential parameters to make it possible in the first place.
5 Responses
Hello Kate;
I stumbled on your blog in connection with writing an international business textbook. Your blog is a treasure! I have one question: You write “Corporate transferees are only 4% of all Expats working and living abroad. While there are over 50 Million Expats, only 8.4 Millionare defined as corporate transferees.” I have difficulties understanding what you write. If the total is 50 million 4% equals 2 million and not 8.4 million. What is it that I misunderstand? And does “expat” also include “inpats”? After all, they are also corporate transferees albeit in the opposite directions as would be transferees from one subsidiary to another subsidiary located in a different country.
Thank you!
Arieh
Hello Arieh, thanks a lot for your comment! I dug into this research again and it seems like the survey draws the percentage of a total of 231Mio expats. I have asked them for a definition to clear things up because they are also talking about a total of 50 Mio expats and hope to get an answer! I have linked the source if you want to take a look for yourself – it’s the Finaccrod study. About your other question: In my definition and what I have read so far Inpats are also expats. I guess the distinction makes sense from a corporate point of view but inpats are equally living abroad in another country like expats. So expats include inpats. Hope that makes sense to you. If you want to discuss further let’s connect via mail info@sharethelove.blog or let’s have a conversation via zoom. Would love to know more about your work! Thank you! Kate
There are really great stats, thanks for sharing! The most interesting one I found was that only 20% of expat spouses are working overseas.