Canada tops for remote work in global survey

Canada also ranks third overall on Clickout Media’s Remote Work Index 2025, just behind Norway (1st) and Denmark (2nd), and ahead of the U.S (4th) and Sweden (5th). The index measures different aspects affecting work and life, such as internet speed, cost of living and work-life balance.

Worldwide, Canadians have the greatest freedom to work from home, according to a previous report. And nearly half of Canadians who have worked remotely from either a cottage or another city have used a background filter to disguise they’re not at home, according to a previous Rogers report.

“This index reflects the changing priorities of modern workers who value flexibility, affordability, and quality of life,” said Clickout Media head analyst Neil Roarty.

Also, North America boasts high salaries and top-tier internet speeds, with Canada and the US both making the top five in this area.

In 2023, IWG named Toronto as the joint best city in the world for “workations”.

Regional highlights of global ranking

• Norway topped the high salaries metric, offering an average of £81,193 or $146,668 per year, followed by Switzerland (£75,408 or $136,218) and the US (£63,632 or $114,946).
• Scandinavia excels in work-life balance, taking three out of the five top spots.
• Asia is also a standout, with Taiwan (6th) and Japan (9th) offering affordability and advanced digital infrastructure.
• Argentina (12th) and Portugal (14th) emerge as popular, yet budget-friendly options for digital nomads.
• Ireland excelled, with an average of just 15.6 hours worked weekly – the lowest of all nations surveyed. “A shorter workweek contributes to better work-life balance,” says Clickout Media.
• Higher salaries naturally attract remote workers. Norway topped this metric, offering an impressive average of £81,193 or $146,668 per year, followed by Switzerland (£75,408 or $136,218) and the US (£63,632 or $114,946).
• South Korea dominates the area of internet speed with lightning-fast speeds of 316.99 Mbps, while Singapore (253.34 Mbps) and Hong Kong (296.97 Mbps) also rank highly. “Seamless connectivity is essential for remote work,” notes Clickout Media.
• Scandinavian countries dominate the overall quality of life category thanks to their exceptional healthcare, safety, and leisure options. Norway, Sweden, and Denmark rank in the top five, offering unparalleled work-life balance and social benefits.

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