Dream Jobs Around the World: The Careers People Are Searching for the Most

In 2022 we revealed the world’s most coveted dream jobs and now we’re back with an even bigger dataset to look at what careers capture imaginations across the globe.
 
In today’s dynamic job market, the idea of sticking to one career for life is fading fast. More and more people are embracing the adventure of career changes, diving into new industries to chase their ultimate dream job. Whether exploring untapped passions, boosting earning potential, or even starting a brand-new life abroad, switching careers is now the new normal.
 
With more opportunities than ever before to pursue roles abroad, people are also chasing their dream careers by moving to new countries and creating a life they’ve always dreamt of for themselves and their families - whether taking their families with them or sending money home to loved ones.
 
To uncover the latest dream careers, we analysed global Google search trends for 186 countries, examining the roles people are curious about in every corner of the world. Instead of focusing on traditional job searches like ‘pilot jobs’, we analysed searches such as ‘how to be a pilot’ to capture the raw aspirations and curiosity of those still in the ‘dreaming’ phase. The results are in, and they’re bound to inspire.

Key findings:

  • Pilot continues to be the world’s biggest dream job for yet another year, with over 432,300 global annual searches.
  • Up 17 positions from 2022 and into second place is an attorney; two other legal careers also appear in the top 10 list, including prosecutor (8th) and a judge (10th).
  • Medical professions take up a large portion of the dream jobs list; pharmacist is fourth, followed by a nurse, physical therapist and midwife in positions fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively.
  • Becoming a YouTuber is also on the minds of thousands, despite being 13th on the top 20 dream jobs list, it claims the most-searched career position in England, Scotland, Singapore, and Indonesia.
Table showing the top 20 dream jobs around the world
World map showing which dream jobs are the most searched in each country

World’s most popular dream jobs

Stepping into the cockpit remains a dream for thousands around the world, with over 432,360 searches for ‘how to be a pilot’ (and its translations) in the past year alone. This high-flying career ranked as the top dream job in countries like the Czech Republic, Egypt, and Slovakia. Whether aspiring to navigate the skies as a commercial pilot, explore exotic destinations, or serve as a military aviator, the opportunities are as vast as the open skies for those eager to take to the air.
 
Skyrocketing to second place, up an impressive 17 spots from our previous study, is the ambition to become an attorney, with 393,380 global searches over the last year. Attorneys tackle complex legal matters, advocate for clients and shoulder significant responsibilities. The path to this prestigious role typically includes attending law school and passing rigorous qualifying exams. The legal field’s appeal doesn’t stop there as two other legal careers made the top 10, with ‘how to be a prosecutor’ in eighth place and ‘how to be a judge’ rounding out the list in 10th spot.
 
In third place is a career that’s vital to communities worldwide: police officers. With a staggering 272,000 searches, interest in joining the police force has surged by an incredible 440% compared to just two years ago, when the figure stood at 50,470 searches. This role offers a profound sense of purpose as individuals work to protect and serve the public.
 
Rounding out the top five dream careers are two crucial healthcare roles: pharmacists, in fourth place with 272,630 searches, and nurses in fifth with 248,720 searches. This may be unsurprising given the sheer admiration these professions gained throughout the pandemic.
 
These results not only showcase the world’s evolving career aspirations but also reflect a universal drive to pursue meaningful and impactful work.

The most popular digital jobs

The dream of becoming a YouTube sensation continues to captivate thousands, with ‘how to be a YouTuber’ racking up a jaw-dropping 171,840 global searches over the past year. This highly sought-after career tops the list in 13 countries, including England, Scotland, Singapore, and Indonesia, as aspiring vloggers and social media stars chase the allure of creativity, fame, and connection. However, while the role remains a top contender, searches have dipped by 11% compared to 2022, indicating that the desire to become a YouTuber may be decreasing, perhaps with the next role picking up the interest.
 
Close behind, becoming a content creator pulled in over 52,000 searches as people set their sights on becoming influencers on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, where they can collaborate with brands and create a lasting impact. Meanwhile, for those drawn to the technical side of the online world, coding emerges as a top pick, ranking fourth with nearly 49,000 searches. The role can involve various elements, including building intricate databases, analysing software performance, or testing cutting-edge systems.
 
With many online and social media roles being able to be fulfilled remotely without the need for a traditional office setup, social media and online jobs are likely to be of great interest for those looking to pursue a more flexible lifestyle. Pursuing a career in digital also provides an excellent opportunity for workers to travel or live in another country as they continue to build a career on their own terms.

Top 5 digital jobs

RankThe most popular digital jobsGlobal search volume for ‘how to be a…’
1YouTuber171,840
2Content Creator52,360
3Copywriter49,460
4Coder48,080
5Social Media Manager35,960

The most popular public sector jobs

Making a difference in your community is a goal close to many hearts, and pursuing a career that helps others is as rewarding as it is impactful. Leading the charge for most popular public sector jobs is a police officer, one of the most sought-after global roles. Right behind is nursing, a profession that garnered nearly 250,000 searches in the past year alone. From specialising in hospital care to providing vital support in local communities, nursing offers countless ways to make a tangible impact on people’s lives.
 
Another standout public sector career is midwifery, which claimed the third spot with over 227,000 global searches. The crucial role of supporting families during life’s most profound moments clearly resonates, outpacing even searches for becoming a doctor. Interestingly, while ‘how to be a doctor’ saw an increase of nearly 90,000 searches compared to 2022, it still trails behind nursing and midwifery in global interest.
 
Healthcare workers are often in high demand across countless countries. Migrant workers often comprise a sizeable number of healthcare forces worldwide. Within the UK, for example, around 12% of the healthcare workforce is made up of non-British nationals. So whether working as registered nurses, home health aides, nursing assistants, physicians, or surgeons, migrant workers help support systems worldwide.

Top 5 public sector jobs

RankMost popular public sector jobsGlobal search volume for ‘how to be a…’
1Police officer272,730
2Nurse248,720
3Midwife227,010
4Doctor192,280
5Firefighter155,120

The most popular jobs in art and culture

For those dreaming of an artistic career, the spotlight shines brightest on ‘how to be an actor,’ which tops the list with nearly 200,000 searches from aspiring stars around the globe. Whether envisioning a career on the silver screen in Hollywood or captivating audiences in live theatre, acting offers endless opportunities to bring stories to life and connect with others through performance.
 
Taking the second spot and staying within the performing arts, ‘how to be a voice actor’ has captured thousands of imaginations. From breathing life into animated characters to narrating audiobooks or educational content, the world of voice acting opens doors to countless creative possibilities.
 
Musical aspirations are just as vibrant, with ‘how to be a DJ’ and ‘how to be a singer’ both ranking among the top five most-searched jobs in arts and culture. In fact, becoming a DJ claims the title of the top dream job in countries like Canada, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. Thanks to social media, sharing musical talent with audiences worldwide has never been easier - offering a platform for creativity to flourish. However, while the internet provides access to millions of potential fans, breaking into the competitive music industry remains an exciting yet challenging journey.

Top 5 arts and culture dream jobs

RankMost popular jobs in art and cultureGlobal search volume for ‘how to be a…’
1Actor199,150
2Voice actor115,860
3DJ109,650
4Actress97,700
5Singer75,780

The most popular jobs in the sciences

Dreaming of a career in the sciences? Becoming a pharmacist tops the list, with over 272,000 global searches for ‘how to be a pharmacist’ in the past year. This sought-after profession is particularly popular in Japan, where it ranks as the number-one dream career. Pharmacists play a crucial role in healthcare, from dispensing medications to offering advice on prescriptions and managing minor health concerns, making this a rewarding path for those passionate about improving well-being.
 
In second place, becoming a physical therapist is a standout choice, with an impressive 244,050 searches worldwide. This career combines science and compassion, helping people recover from injuries, manage pain, and regain mobility - an incredibly fulfilling way to make a difference in patients’ lives.
 
Meanwhile, psychology captures the imagination of many, with ‘how to be a psychologist’ landing in the top five most popular scientific careers, boasting just over 160,000 searches. As conversations around mental health grow louder and more meaningful, it’s clear that many are inspired to step into this field, supporting others in navigating their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
 
The top careers reveal a growing desire to embark on a career that has a lasting impact on people’s lives, whether helping with daily ailments or long-term mental health battles.

Top 5 science dream jobs

RankMost popular jobs in the sciencesGlobal search volume for ‘how to be a…’
1Pharmacist272,630
2Physical therapist244,050
3Professor175,420
4Dietician170,920
5Psychologist160,270

The most popular jobs in sports

The dream of becoming a footballer continues to ignite passions worldwide, with almost 96,000 searches showing it’s still the top dream job for aspiring athletes. Thousands are hoping to play for one of the top teams, whether it’s a top European team in France, Germany or the UK. For many, the pitch represents not just a career but a lifelong dream of fame, glory, and love for the sport.
 
Being a soccer player also features as one of the most searched careers, with athletes in the US hoping to secure a spot on a successful team. Of course, ‘footballer’ is a broad search term as this could also incorporate American Football depending on who is searching. Those living in the US for example, will be talking about a different type of gameplay when searching for ‘how to be a football player, likely referring to playing in the country’s popular NFL league, while those searching in the United Kingdom, or other global countries will be referring to soccer.
 
Close behind, careers in fitness and personal training are capturing the hearts of health enthusiasts everywhere. These roles attract those eager to inspire and transform lives by guiding beginners on their fitness journey or pushing seasoned athletes to new heights. The beauty of this career lies in its flexibility - trainers can work on their own terms, choose hours that suit their lifestyle, and even take their skills global.

Top 5 sports dream jobs

RankMost popular jobs in sportsGlobal search volume for ‘how to be a…’
1Footballer95,950
2Soccer Player74,400
3Fitness trainer70,180
4Football coach64,190
5Personal trainer41,380

Methodology

Google search data (searching all languages) was used to establish the annual search volume (November 2023 to November 2024) in each country for ‘how to be a [job]’ search terms associated with dreaming of a new job or career for every country in the world. The most searched-for job was then used as the top career for the specific country. Not all countries provided enough search data to be featured - we have analysed data for 185 countries. Data correct as of November 2024.
 
When analysing the top 20 dream careers, the term ‘new entry’ refers to careers that were not included in the previous analysis conducted in 2022. The exclusion from the previous research is a result of insufficient data being available at the time of the study.