An accelerated shift from long-term to short-term international relocation is expected over the next two years, according to The Cartus Emerging Trends in Global Mobility: Policies & Practices Survey.

The study also found that the number of assignment destinations is surging. Respondents name 51 different countries in their list of top destination locations, a 76% increase on 2004. The US continues to be the most common destination for relocation assignments, China was in second place and Germany was third.

John Arcario, executive vice-president of Cartus, says: “As companies respond to growing business opportunities, pressures to recruit and retain top talent, and demands for regional flexibility, we can expect to see more people being sent to more and different destinations, and on shorter-term assignments.”