The latest Global Relocation Trends Survey Report published by Brookfield GRS reveals that 67% of companies expect to either decrease or maintain the number of employees they relocate.  Companies are playing safe and sending more senior executives on overseas assignments with the mobility of younger employees reaching an all-time low. Family concerns remain the most overwhelming reason (92%) for assignment refusal or failure.

The worldwide survey of 180 multinational firms, managing a total worldwide employee population of 9.8 million, revealed widespread pessimism with 25% expecting their expatriate numbers to decrease. 

Top relocation challenges were controlling the overall cost of assignments (46%), finding suitable candidates (39%) and controlling policy exceptions (33%).

China soared to the top destination position, followed by US, UK, Singapore and Switzerland and is ranked as top emerging destination after India and Russia.  China also presented the greatest challenges to international assignment managers and assignees alike.