Maple News reports that Canada has overtaken the United States as the most attractive country for foreign workers seeking global career opportunities, according to a comprehensive global survey conducted by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and The Network. The study captured the perspectives of 209,000 individuals across 190 countries, offering deep insight into shifting global employment preferences.
The report attributes much of the change in global mobility trends to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to a significant decline in overall interest in relocating abroad. Only 50% of surveyed respondents expressed interest in moving for work between October and December 2020 — a noticeable drop from 57% in 2018 and 64% in 2014.
Canada emerged as the top choice, bolstered by its effective pandemic response, stable social climate, and welcoming immigration policies. Countries such as Australia, Japan, Singapore, and New Zealand, known for their low COVID-19 case numbers, also secured positions in the top 10. Conversely, traditional favorites like Germany and France saw declines, and countries badly hit by the pandemic, such as Italy and Spain, fell out of the top tier altogether.
Major cities like New York, Barcelona, and Rome have also lost some of their former appeal among foreign workers—meanwhile, cities less affected by the virus, including Tokyo, Singapore, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, climbed in popularity. At the city level and broader national rankings, Canada consistently led the chart, especially among digital professionals, highly educated workers, and younger demographics under 30.
The United States’ drop in desirability is partly attributed to restrictive immigration policies introduced during the Trump administration, alongside recent episodes of domestic social unrest, notably the protests following the death of George Floyd. These factors have raised concerns among prospective immigrants about inclusivity and stability.
However, interest in working for U.S.-based companies remains strong when it comes to remote work. The survey found that 57% of global respondents were willing to work remotely, especially in digitally-focused sectors. In fact, 71% of tech professionals said they are open to virtual employment, with Canada and the U.S. being the top destinations for remote roles.
With this in mind, Canadian employers have an opportunity to harness international talent without requiring physical relocation. Given Canada’s supportive immigration framework and rising global reputation, it is well-positioned to lead the way in attracting top-tier foreign professionals both physically and virtually.