More families are embracing the digital nomad lifestyle, seeking adventure, flexibility, and a better quality of life while working remotely abroad. Did Malaysia make the cut for the Top 10 destination countries?

Once the domain of solo travelers, the digital nomad lifestyle is now drawing entire families. Indeed, the concept of the digital nomad has evolved beyond the image of a lone traveler with a laptop. Recent research by AXA – Global Healthcare reveals a growing trend: families embracing the digital nomad lifestyle together. In fact, a survey of 1,001 UK workers found that over a third (34%) would consider working remotely abroad and bringing their families along.

This shift is driven by the pursuit of a better quality of life, with over three-quarters (76%) of respondents with children believing that working abroad would enhance their family’s well-being. Financial benefits also play a role, as more than half (56%) of these parents feel that remote work overseas could offer greater financial freedom. Additionally, a third (33%) see it as an opportunity to strengthen family bonds through shared experiences.

Sebastian Judez, Global Head of Product and Proposition at AXA – Global Healthcare, notes: “An increasing number of parents are leveraging flexible work policies or freelance careers to work remotely abroad with their children. This lifestyle offers exposure to new cultures, languages, and fosters resilience and adaptability.”

However, transitioning to a digital nomad family lifestyle comes with challenges. Access to education is a priority, with over two-fifths (41%) of parents emphasizing its importance. Childcare is another concern, highlighted by over a quarter (26%) of respondents. Healthcare access is crucial, as a third (35%) of families prioritize quality medical services. Nearly three in five (59%) consider comprehensive medical insurance essential, and under a third (29%) value medical evacuation and repatriation services.

Xavier Lestrade, CEO of AXA – Global Healthcare, shares from personal experience: “Having relocated internationally with my family, I understand the concerns about disrupting children’s routines and education. While moving abroad can be daunting, proper preparation can help families embrace the benefits of the digital nomad lifestyle.”

For those considering this lifestyle, AXA – Global Healthcare’s Digital Nomad Index highlights the top countries for families to relocate, evaluating factors like cost of living, reliable Wi-Fi, safety, visa requirements, healthcare, education, and childcare access. Here are the top 10 destination countries, according to the research. Rather surprisingly, Malaysia did not make the cut. Read on to learn more about the methodology for determining the ranking.

METHODOLOGY

About the data      

The research was carried out online by Research Without Barriers – RWB. All surveys were conducted between 12th November 2024 and 19th November 2024. The sample comprised 1,001 UK workers who could work online remotely for an extended period. All research conducted adheres to the UK Market Research Society (MRS) code of conduct (2023). RWB is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office and complies with the DPA (2018). 

Categories and Sources 

To determine the top 10 countries for digital nomad families, each country from the research was ranked by the following criteria: 

• Cost of living  
• Access to reliable wi-fi   
• Safety  
• Visa requirements  
• Access to healthcare  
• Access to education for children  
• Access to childcare   

Desk research has been carried out to gather information for each country based on the criteria. Each country has then been scored out of five for each criterion.  An example scale is outlined below:  

• 1 = Very Poor  
• 2 = Poor   
• 3 = Average   
• 4 = Good  
• 5 = Excellent  

For example:  Cost of living 

• 1 = Very high cost of living  
• 2 = High cost of living  
• 3 = Moderate cost of living  
• 4 = Low cost of living  
• 5 = Very low cost of living  

Each country has been given a score for each criterion and then a total score has been calculated. This has then been ranked from highest to lowest to provide the top 10 countries.