Summary:
A growing number of Americans are choosing to leave the United States in what some are calling the “Great American Exodus.” According to the March 20, 2025 article from UnHerd, this trend is no longer limited to retirees or temporary digital nomads. Increasingly, middle-class professionals, young families, and politically disillusioned citizens are moving abroad permanently.
While the U.S. government does not publish exact emigration figures, estimates suggest that around 8 to 10 million U.S. citizens live outside the country. Data from the Internal Revenue Service and the State Department support the idea that the number is rising. In 2023 alone, 1,481 Americans renounced their citizenship. While this figure does not appear to be particularly significant, analysts believe this underrepresents the broader shift, as most Americans living abroad retain their citizenship.
Recent polling data collected by Talker Research further underscores the depth of dissatisfaction among American citizens: Approximately 40% of respondents reported being unhappy with their current quality of life, while 17% expressed a desire to emigrate in search of improved well-being. The survey further found that 5% of the 2,000 participants polled were considering and actively researching emigration, while a further 2% have already begun the process of emigration in a more formal capacity. The article notes that if the findings of this poll were extrapolated to the broader population, as many as seven million Americans may be seriously considering relocation.
The tangible effects of this trend are already observable in destination countries. In the United Kingdom, over 6,100 Americans applied for British citizenship in the past year — representing a 26% increase from 2023. Ireland has experienced an even more drastic increase, with citizenship applications increasing by 46% over that exact same period.
Among the key drivers of this growing discontent appear to be systemic economic and social challenges. According to the poll, 65% of respondents described American society as “toxic,” with many citing “divisiveness” as a major concern for them. Additionally, individuals polled cited the rising costs of healthcare, education, and housing, as well as limited job opportunities and declining work-life balance as sources of dissatisfaction. Many respondents reported feeling that they are working increasingly hard for increasingly little with respect to economic benefits. In this connection, it is worth noting that over 100 million Americans currently carry medical debt, and more than 40% of cancer patients file for bankruptcy within two years of diagnosis.
Dissatisfaction is particularly pronounced among Millennials, with 25% of this demographic expressing a desire to emigrate. The basis for this dissatisfaction may be attributed to economic malaise, in addition to stress over the state of politics. The article notes that in the days following the most recent U.S. presidential election, Google searches related to emigration surged to 15 times their previous levels. Interest in moving to New Zealand, the most sought-after destination, increased by 76 times.
These patterns suggest a broader shift in the perception of the United States as a destination for opportunity and stability. For researchers and policymakers, understanding the long-term implications of this emerging trend is critical: If a substantial portion of the country’s skilled professionals and middle-class citizens seek to establish themselves abroad, it could have far-reaching consequences for the U.S. economy, workforce composition, and global influence.
The article emphasizes that this trend is not merely a short-term reaction to political or economic turmoil, but part of a broader reconsideration of the American Dream. As international mobility becomes more accessible, a small but growing number of Americans are actively taking steps to rebuild their lives elsewhere.
Original Article Link: https://unherd.com/2025/03/the-great-american-exodus/
Source: Unherd
Date: March 20, 2025