Although the United States is hailed as one of the happiest and most desirable places to live, recent polling unveils a startling trend: a growing number of Americans are eyeing opportunities abroad compared to half a century ago.
A mid-March survey conducted by the Monmouth University Polling Institute among 902 U.S. adults disclosed a remarkable shift in aspirations. A substantial 34% now harbor thoughts of relocating to another country, a dramatic departure from the meager 10% reported by Gallup in 1974.
Over the decades, polls have depicted a steady uptick in Americans’ inclination toward emigration. Merely 5 or 6% entertained such notions in the post-World War II era. The figure peaked at 13% in 1972 before stabilizing between 9 to 12% from 1991 to 1995.
Patrick Murray, the director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, highlighted uncertainty regarding the timing of the surge in desire to live abroad, citing the gap between the two most recent polls. He conjectured that heightened partisan strife in recent years may have influenced this trend.
Another survey by the Research Center illuminated increased polarization among Americans, with many expressing weariness and frustration with the current political landscape.
Interestingly, the Monmouth University survey revealed a political dimension to this phenomenon. Political independents exhibited a greater propensity for contemplating relocation compared to Democrats and Republicans. However, the inclination toward emigration has risen across all political spectrums since 1974.
Notably, the majority of those pondering a move were under 35 years old, indicating a discernible generational shift toward exploring opportunities abroad.
Although the polls did not delve into specific destination preferences, they did explore favored travel destinations.
Italy emerged as the top choice, trailed by the U.K. and Japan, which witnessed heightened interest compared to five decades ago. Traditional European destinations like France and Germany retained their popularity, albeit with some fluctuations.
