Cost pressures and uncertain labour markets demand that employee mobility becomes a critical focus as companies worldwide use it as a strategic tool to help solve talent shortages, according to the EY 2025 Mobility Reimagined Survey.

The survey canvassed the views of 1,074 mobility professionals across 22 countries revealing significant differences in how leading organisations address talent gaps and GenAI implementation compared with those that are struggling.

Demand for global talent at an all-time high

With the demand for global talent surging, the survey finds that 48% of employers are struggling to find the required talent to meet their business needs, while 74% report that filling senior positions can take more than a year.

The findings underscore the pivotal role of mobility in driving organisational growth and enhancing talent attraction and retention. An impressive 85% of respondents indicate that mobility assignments can be transformative, with nearly half (48%) stating that such experiences increase their likelihood of staying with their employer. Additionally, companies with mobility programmes that are integrated with wider organisational and talent goals are more than twice as likely to experience 10% revenue growth.

Maureen Flood, EY Global People Mobility Solution Leader, said: "In a competitive talent market where employees are increasingly able to dictate the terms and seek greater customisation in rewards and benefits, companies who are striving to be ’employers for life’ cannot afford to overlook the importance of effective mobility strategies. Considering the current geopolitical and economic disruption, mobility has never been more essential."

Evolving mobility functions face pressures to do more with less

The EY survey finds that an overwhelming 96% of mobility professionals express a desire to reduce costs. Evolved mobility functions are more adept at tracking performance ratings (68%), revenue impact (63%), promotion rates post-assignment (59%) and speed to fill vacancies (53%).

Seeking twice as many cost-reduction measures compared to their counterparts, evolved mobility functions boast double the number of fully automated and outsourced processes. This strategic approach underscores a commitment to enhancing efficiency and maximising value in an increasingly challenging economic environment.

Preparing for GenAI solutions in mobility

The 2025 Mobility Reimagined Survey highlights a growing readiness among mobility professionals to embrace GenAI, with 70% believing it will positively impact their functions, influencing flexible working, employee productivity, and risk management.

The number of mobility professional respondents routinely using GenAI jumped from 22% to 35% year-on-year. With GenAI taking some of the burden of day-to-day tasks – such as routine document preparation, or the retrieval and drafting of data analysis from multiple functions – mobility professionals are then able to provide higher-level talent consultation to HR and the executive team.

Gerard Osei-Bonsu, EY Global People Advisory Services Tax Leader, commented: “GenAI is a powerful tool to transform mobility and organisations – but it’s only as good as the people using it. Organisations need to ensure employees are equipped with the skills they need to harness its full potential. Once employees are trained and comfortable using GenAI, the combined strengths of skilled people with high-powered technology and more time to focus on impactful, strategic tasks will create a truly empowered mobile workforce.”

For more information about the EY 2025 Mobility Reimagined Survey, please visit: ey.com/MobilityReimagined