More Americans are telling pollsters they want to live abroad, and new research suggests this mood goes beyond casual talk. A 2024 Harris poll found that 40 percent of Americans either want to move overseas or are actively planning a relocation. For years, talk of moving to Canada or Europe flared up around election cycles. This time, researchers say the interest appears broader and more sustained.
Tracking Americans abroad is challenging. The United States does not keep an official count of citizens living overseas, and foreign governments offer incomplete snapshots. No single dataset captures the full picture.
Global Citizens Solutions, a residency and citizenship advisory firm, set out to piece the numbers together. Its Global Intelligence Unit combined polling data, proprietary client insights, and official statistics from destination countries. Lead researcher Laura Madrid said the goal was to measure both intent and action, from early inquiries to confirmed moves.
The findings point to a steady rise in Americans exploring residency and citizenship options in places such as Portugal, Spain, and Mexico. Economic pressures, lifestyle goals, and political tensions rank among the top motivations cited in the research.
My Take…
Apparently 40 percent of Americans are either daydreaming about life abroad or already packing a suspicious number of linen shirts. A 2024 Harris poll says this wanderlust is not just post election drama. It feels broader. Stickier. Less I am moving to Canada if this guy wins, more maybe I am actually done here.Counting who has left is another story. The US does not track its citizens overseas, and foreign numbers are patchy. It is like trying to follow your high school ex on social media. Incomplete and mildly unsettling.Global Citizens Solutions tried anyway, blending polling, client data, and destination stats. Portugal, Spain, Mexico are rising stars. Motives? Money stress, lifestyle glow ups, political fatigue. Midlife crisis, but make it international.
Click on the link below for the full article:
https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/the-number-of-americans-who-want-to-move-abroad-has-quadrupled-heres-why/91346163
