For decades, international assignments have been a cornerstone of how organisations grow, share expertise and build global resilience. But in 2025, the world of work looks very different for businesses from even just a few years ago.
Over the past eight years, we’ve been tracking these changes in global mobility by listening to the experiences of HR leaders and international assignees worldwide. From our latest research, we’ve seen how international placements have not only rebounded since the pandemic – they’ve evolved entirely, shaped by new economic pressures and rising employee expectations.
Businesses are adapting well to this new landscape, but where can they level up? From getting assignees ready for their move to supporting their return home, our new report looks at the entire journey of international placements and what it takes to future-proof them for success.
International assignments need more investment than ever.
Since 2017, the average cost of a placement has increased by 58%.
Shorter assignments are on the rise.
3 in 4 HR decision-makers expect more digital nomadism in their workforce over the next 5 years.
Family support is now crucial to placement success.
Yet, only 38% of companies provide help for assignees' families.
Sustainable assignments rely on strong preparation and repatriation support.
Currently, over 50% of assignees find the first 3 months of an assignment the hardest.
For insights into what global mobility looks like in 2025 and beyond, download our latest report today.
“As someone who has experienced life both as an international assignee and as the leader of a global team, I see more than ever how global mobility continues to change. Now, rather than focusing on well-organised logistics, businesses need to create global mobility strategies which are centered around their people – their health and happiness, their families and their ability to thrive wherever their role takes them.
This means supporting them at every stage of their assignment journey. When organisations get this right, they strengthen their ability to attract global talent, retain critical skills and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape.”
Karim Idilby, Chief Growth Officer, AXA Health International
We’re digging deeper into the detail in 2026, with further findings into each stage of the international assignment journey:
Preparation:
How to set employees up for assignment success
During placement:
How to keep them brilliant while they're away
Coming home:
How to support them with their return
