Bali’s digital-nomad boom reshapes local economy, sparks rising tensions over cost of living

[BALI] When 24-year-old Jakub Valek moved to Bali last year to grow his UK-based digital firm, he joined a growing wave of remote workers reshaping the island’s economy and redefining what it means to “live in paradise”.

The Polish marketing consultant arrived in July 2024 on Indonesia’s remote work visa, drawn by Bali’s creative energy and the booming digital market of South-east Asia’s largest economy.

“Bali is well-known across Europe – it’s a magnet for marketers. Being physically here allows me to understand the culture and connect with the community on a deeper level,” he told The Business Times, adding that it took two months for his application to be approved.