Just Released! 2011 Global Relocation Trends Survey Report (Expats)

Hi Everyone, The annual, well-respected and highly quoted Global Relocation Trends Survey Report has just been released, by Brookfield Global Relocation Services.

Here are some excerpts from their press release today:

* 61 percent of global companies surveyed are expecting to transfer more employees in 2011 than in recent years, according to the just-released 2011 Global Relocation Trends Survey Report, published by Brookfield Global Relocation Services.

* The percentage of new hires for international assignments hits an all-time low (8 percent).

* Meanwhile, only 9 percent of international assignees are 20 to 29 years old (tied for the lowest percentage in the report's history).

* While there are some signs of improvement, obtaining spouse/partner employment during international assignments continues to be a struggle. In this report, 60 percent of spouses/partners were employed before but just 12 percent during assignments.

* 18 percent of international assignees were women, compared to a historical average of 16 percent.

* 68 percent of international assignees were married and less than half (47 percent) had children accompanying them, an all-time low.

* Just 74 percent of companies provided cross-cultural preparation - the lowest percentage in the history of this report -While this benefit may be an easy one to cut to reduce costs, it is difficult to ensure the quality of web-based or self-service cross-cultural preparation that is usually offered as an alternative.

* As a consequence, although companies are increasingly focusing on cost reductions and efficiencies in their international relocation operations, amazingly, 92 percent of companies did not formally measure return on investment (ROI). When asked why, 50 percent of respondents indicated that the principal reason for not measuring ROI is that they do not know how to achieve it.

* China, Brazil and India are top emerging destinations; China, India and Russia cited as most challenging destinations for both expats and relocation managers.

* The location of a company's headquarters is a significant factor in that company's optimism: Those headquartered in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) were more optimistic than their counterparts with headquarters in North America. For example, 64 percent of EMEA-based companies expected to send more employees on assignment this year, versus 58 percent of companies based in North America.

In all, 118 multinational firms participated in the worldwide survey; combined, these firms manage a worldwide employee population of 5.6 million. Brookfield Global Relocation Services will present key findings of its 2011 survey on Thursday, April 21, during a complimentary webinar that will provide a comparative analysis of the key global mobility issues facing businesses today. All webinar attendees will receive the full Global Relocation Trends Survey report. To register, please click here.

Brookfield Global Relocation Services is a full service provider of corporate and government relocation and assignment management services to more than 250 corporate and government clients. Brookfield Global Relocation Services manages over 50,000 relocations in more than 110 countries throughout the world, and funds over $3.6 billion dollars in relocation expenses annually. Brookfield Global Relocation Services is an operating company of Brookfield Residential Property Services, a leading global provider of real estate and relocation services, technology, and knowledge.