Digital nomads: Athens ranks 15th globally as smaller Greek destinations gain attention
Athens ranks 15th on IWG's Work from Anywhere index, as coworking spaces expand into smaller Greek towns.
More professionals are choosing to work remotely from different parts of the world, and Greece is gaining ground as an option for digital nomads beyond its established tourist destinations. Coworking spaces are being developed in areas such as Arcadia, Kalamata, Ioannina, Volos, Chios, Corfu, Leros and Kastoria.
According to the Work from Anywhere index by the International Workplace Group (IWG), Athens ranks 15th among the top 50 destinations worldwide, scoring 90.5 points, tied with Montpellier. Rio de Janeiro and Dubai rank higher, while Athens outranks cities such as Paris, New York and Hong Kong.
Athens' strengths lie in its climate, sunshine, accommodation options and availability of flexible workspaces. For digital nomad visas, the city received the highest possible score, 10 out of 10. Weaknesses remain broadband connectivity, safety and the cost of dining out.
The global community of digital nomads is estimated at around 40 million people, with the United States leading with 18.5 million such workers. The average digital nomad is about 37 years old, university-educated, with an annual income ranging between $50,000 and $250,000, averaging $124,872. On average, a digital nomad stays in a country for 132 days.
Bangkok emerged as the top destination for workcation, followed by Tokyo, Barcelona, Porto and Vancouver in that ranking.