A new study has revealed Southeast Asia is leading the current remote working boom, as Caribbean nations emerge as tomorrow's digital nomad hotspots.
As the global digital nomad population surpasses 40 million in 2024, remote workers are increasingly drawn to destinations that combine affordable living, reliable internet and inspiring surroundings.
While established hotspots such as Bali have long been popular with digital nomads, some cities are rapidly gaining traction as top destinations for remote workers in 2025.
New research from print-on-demand company Printful has analysed global cities based on factors including average salary, employment rates, living costs, co-working facilities and wifi speeds to identify the emerging hubs for location-independent professionals.
Bangkok has emerged as the leading current destination, offering monthly living costs of £623 and the region's fastest internet speeds at 256.1 Mbps.
Southeast Asian cities dominate the top five locations, with Phnom Penh ranking second with monthly living costs of £770 and co-working spaces available for £139.
Hanoi follows in third place as the most affordable option, with living costs of just £624 and co-working spaces from £102 monthly.
Looking ahead to 2025, Jamaica is predicted to become a key destination, with searches for remote work opportunities increasing by 250% year-on-year.
Barbados follows with a 200% increase in searches, while the Philippines ranks third with a 173% rise.
"Embracing the digital nomad lifestyle can spark creativity and inspiration by immersing you in new cultures, diverse landscapes and unique experiences that shift your perspective," says Martins Rudzitis, IT Project Manager at Printful.
The research indicates government initiatives are driving the trend, with Jamaica's "Work From Jamaica" visa programme and Barbados's "Welcome Stamp" making it easier for remote workers to stay for extended periods.
Emerging digital nomad hotspots for 2025 (by year-on-year increase in remote work searches):
- Jamaica (250%)
- Barbados (200%)
- Philippines (173%)
- Sri Lanka (100%) Morocco (100%) Guatemala (100%) Kuwait (100%) Bahamas (100%)
- Greece (84%)
- Slovenia (67%)
By Olivia Palamountain | GLOBETRENDER