NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

In the past five years, we’ve seen the largest shakeup in workforce culture since the emergence of the internet, with companies and workers embracing remote and hybrid approaches. Though many global employers have attempted to return to largely in-person work as the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have faded into the background, this shift continues to affect many professions. According to research from the World Economic Forum, by 2030, the number of global digital jobs — i.e., jobs whose component tasks can be performed from anywhere in the world — will grow by over 25% to around 92 million.

Gone are the 9-to-5 mentality, and the notion that staff can only be effectively managed on-site, with managers looking over their shoulders. Today, many top employers are increasingly leveraging the benefits of remote work to offer staff a better work-life balance, while obtaining greater access to global talent — and tapping into an array of other benefits. And these changes are having an especially pronounced impact in emerging economies.

Transforming Emerging Markets Through Remote Work

The search for remote work solutions began as soon as the internet came along, whether it involved simple videoconferencing, remote call centers or augmented teams (i.e., teams that get extra support from new technology or external experts). In emerging markets, this has opened a variety of new employment opportunities that had not been seen before. By enabling the steady expansion of global businesses into these regions, the emergence of online work has generated job opportunities in the fields of education, information technology and many others.

The digital revolution has made the world geographically barrierless. Employees from emerging markets are now able to participate in the global economy, while employers are able to tap into a broader pool of workers, using networking and security technologies that help them manage remote and hybrid workforces. For instance, technologies like Cloudbrink’s Secure Access Service Edge security framework have been instrumental in supporting this change, connecting professionals from regions with limited infrastructure to global employers. By facilitating secure and seamless remote work experiences, these technologies allow businesses to employ — and empower — workers in markets that had traditionally been excluded from these types of opportunities.

This shift has benefitted countries like Kenya, India and the Philippines immensely, where skilled workers often face a limited supply of local job opportunities. Remote work bridges these gaps, offering access to higher-paying roles that not only raise individual incomes but also contribute to broader societal advancements.

Enhancing Local Skills and Catalyzing Local Business Ecosystems

However, the remote work model isn’t only about jobs. It also involves skill development. Multinational companies that want to expand their workforces in emerging markets often invest in training programs tailored to local teams, providing these workers with valuable expertise in fields like IT, marketing and customer support. With the advent of a growing number of online learning platforms, often provided or subsidized by employers, remote workers in many emerging economies now have steady access to educational and skill development opportunities that can transform their careers.

In countries like Bangladesh, where digital literacy is still relatively low, the focus on upskilling remote employees has a ripple effect on these workers’ communities. Along with providing individual households with a steady source of income, it helps create a workforce with the job skills necessary to compete in the global market. This not only augments the nation’s overall economic standing, it also allows local business ecosystems to flourish. Companies that establish remote teams in these markets often rely on local service providers for logistics, co-working spaces and tech support, creating new opportunities for other businesses and entrepreneurs.

The Social Impacts of Remote Work

Apart from economic benefits, remote work has helped accelerate profound social change in emerging markets. It has contributed to a paradigm shift in the way societies approach gender roles, work-life balance, urbanization and youth employment. 

At the root of remote work’s gender impact is the fact that it has made it easier for women to find jobs and contribute to local economies. In many emerging markets, women have not been able to participate fully in workplaces due to logistical or cultural limitations. Remote jobs have successfully removed or reduced some of these barriers, such as commuting challenges, difficulties in maintaining both work and caregiving activities, and traditional workplace gender biases. With this new flexibility, more women have been able to gain financial independence, boosting both gender equality and individual families’ welfare.

For example, in countries like India, women’s labor force participation has historically been low due to societal constraints. Remote roles are now providing opportunities for women to work in more and more fields in these markets, while balancing their career and family responsibilities. Cloudbrink’s collaboration with Girl Power Talk — a social enterprise focused on women’s empowerment that operates in 39 countries — showcases how remote models can stimulate regional economies while addressing social issues like gender inequality.

Urban migration is another challenge addressed by remote work. Many cities in emerging markets are dealing with overcrowding and the resultant strains on infrastructure, while underdeveloped rural areas are struggling with the opposite problem: an ongoing exodus of young workers that undercuts the local economy. Remote work allows professionals to remain in their hometowns while accessing global opportunities. This allows for economic activity to be distributed more evenly within countries. As this trend grows, it has the potential to reduce the need for urban expansion, decreasing the environmental and social pressures associated with large-scale migration.

Finally, with youth making up a significant portion of emerging markets’ populations, remote work provides an avenue for young professionals to integrate into the global workforce. For example, platforms like Upwork and Fiverr offer a gateway for young freelancers to build careers while contributing to local economies. A study commissioned by the European Research Council estimates that there are 163 million freelancers working across the global online freelance economy. And freelance jobs aren’t the only option for young workers: Partnerships between global companies and local educational institutions are also fostering pathways to traditional online employment opportunities for new graduates.

Challenges and Solutions in Remote Work

However, along with the clear benefits of remote work in emerging economies, there are some persistent challenges. Issues such as inconsistent internet connectivity, lack of reliable power supply and limited access to technology curb the growth of remote work in some regions. Companies like Cloudbrink are addressing these barriers by developing solutions aligned to these markets — including affordable tech platforms and software that’s optimized for low-bandwidth environments.

Moreover, government initiatives and public-private partnerships are playing a crucial role in improving digital infrastructure and providing literacy programs focused on online work. For instance, the Digital India campaign has significantly expanded broadband access, creating a foundation for remote work in India.

The rise of remote and hybrid work is a transformative force for emerging markets. It fosters economic inclusion, promotes gender equality and catalyzes local ecosystems. Companies that embrace this model can not only gain access to diverse talent, they can also contribute to building a more equitable global economy. And the potential for remote work to bridge gaps and drive progress in emerging markets will only expand with the growth in technology. As employers and workers continue to adapt to the ongoing evolution of workplace culture, it’s important to recognize — and support — these positive impacts.

Namya Sethi is a Senior Associate in the Marketing & PR Department at Girl Power Talk.

Photo courtesy of Kampus Production.