EXPATRIATION IS TRENDY
We all know someone who has moved abroad recently enough. As a consequence of globalisation, young people are more likely to settle in foreign countries nowadays. Numbers have actually gone up in the past years: it is around 5% more every year.
Overall, about 3 million of french people have moved abroad, half of them in European countries. This number has doubled in the past 25 years.
Most of them are between 18 and 30 years old, with different profiles, not obviously graduated or multilingual.
WHERE DO THEY GO?
Based on a recent poll, french expatriates give preference to European countries. About half of them actually stay in Europe.
Nowadays, it is easy enough to find french speaking jobs in Europe: client advisors, IT jobs as well as freelance jobs and entrepreneurs.
WHY DO THEY LEAVE?
Changing of scenery and traveling are the first factors that attract French people abroad. A cheaper cost of living (22,5%) and a life described as “quieter” are the other reasons quoted by the french magazine “les Echos”.
International careers, opportunities, new challenges… Most of the time, people move for professional reasons. Indeed, having work experience in France is appreciated all around Europe.
More than half of contracts abroad are short-term contracts. Some companies offer relocation packages, administrative support, language classes and private health insurance, basically all you need to settle.
Due to globalisation of the job market, young people usually move to countries where there are job opportunities.
In another hand, the desire of discovering new cultures, visiting countries and meeting people are also part of their decision of moving away.
Although unemployment has been quite high in France, it remains the least mobile people in Europe.
Short or long term expatriation would therefore add interesting experience to your CV and attracts recruiter’s attention.