Manpower: 37 percent willing to relocate anywhere in the world for better career

Milwaukee, Wis. - Thirty-seven percent of workers says they would be willing to relocate anywhere in the world for a better career, according to a new survey published by Manpower, Inc., the Milwaukee-based employment services firm.

The relocation survey, which gathered responses from more than 31,000 people in 27 global labor markets, was conducted in parallel with a workforce survey of employers that revealed substantial concern about workforce mobility.

The second survey of 28,000 employers indicates that 31 percent of respondents worldwide are concerned about talent leaving not just to competitors within their own markets, but to competitors abroad.

Jeffrey A. Joerres, chairman and CEO of Manpower, said individual workers are increasingly willing and able to find employment far from their homes.

“More people are living and working away from their home countries than at any other point in history - about three percent of the world's population," Joerres said in a statement released with the survey. "These are not the one-way migrations of yesteryear. Talent goes where talent is needed, and we are truly becoming a global, borderless workforce.” National mobility

The second survey found that 78 percent would be willing to relocate within their national borders or abroad for work, and 41 percent would be willing to relocate permanently.

According to Manpower, workers from the Philippines (96 percent), Ireland (93 percent), and Brazil (93 percent) were the most likely to consider relocating for employment opportunities.

In terms of age, respondents under 30 years old were more receptive to moving for work than their older colleagues.

The majority, 82 percent, would relocate to increase their pay, while 74 percent would base their decision on career advancement.

The United States is the most popular destination that people would want to relocate to, followed by Great Britain, Spain, Canada, and Australia.

China, the United States and India were the top three sources of foreign talent.

Only 15 percent of global employers believe government and businesses are doing enough to slow the outward migration of talent.

A copy of the Manpower white paper on the Borderless Workforce and the complete results of surveys can be downloaded on the Manpower site.

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