Expat Dreams: 4 in 10 of Americans Consider Leaving The USA
Why Americans are looking beyond our borders and what it means about the state of the American Dream?
The American Dream has a new address—and it's not in America.
"Portugal's childcare is one-tenth of what we pay here." "My cousin just got her Irish passport through her grandparents." "Living in Mexico City is so much more affordable."
The Brooklyn brunch conversation has evolved yet again. Not long ago, it was about moving to LA or Austin—debating neighborhoods, comparing the cost of living, and plotting career transitions. Now, debates aren't about which American city offers the best balance—they're about which country provides the best future.
Our latest research, featured in Newsweek and Fast Company, reveals why this shift is more than just casual talk—it's becoming a strategic plan for many young Americans.
But here's what everyone misses: This isn't just political escape —it's about future-proofing your life in uncertain times. Young Americans are treating citizenships like investment portfolios, diversifying across borders to create backup plans, reduce risk, and develop future options. Ultimately, it's an insurance policy against a system that feels increasingly unpredictable.
Expat Dreams by The Numbers
Americans aren't giving up on their dreams so much as expanding the map of where they might be realized:
42% of Americans are now considering moving out of the country in the next two years, with 13% seriously considering it
Gen Z and Millennials lead the consideration numbers and are most likely to move (Millennials, 8%, Gen Z, 6%)
64% of Millennials believe they "could live a higher quality of life living abroad than in America"
Groups more likely to consider leaving include Gen Z (63%), LGBTQIA+ Americans (61%), Hispanic Americans (61%), and Black Americans (57%). This reflects different lived experiences and priorities across demographic groups.
For many communities, this isn't simply about seeking better opportunities—it's about fundamental safety. The statistics from our field in February 2025 are sobering:
67% of LGBTQIA+ Americans believe their rights are becoming more compromised in the U.S.
58% of American women fear growing restrictions on their rights
57% of BIPOC Americans feel their rights are under threat
10 Top Expat Destinations
The top 10 countries that Americans would consider moving to, in order, are as follows:
These choices tell a story beyond language familiarity. Americans are seeking societies that reflect their values and priorities, whether that's healthcare access, social acceptance, work-life balance, or simply affordable housing.
Dual Citizenship as the Ultimate Safety Net
When nearly three-quarters of Millennials feel they're merely surviving instead of thriving (74%) and that homeownership is no longer attainable (74%), relocation becomes less about adventure and more about survival strategy.
Two-thirds of Gen Z and Millennial Americans (66%) now express interest in obtaining dual nationality—a phenomenon that would have been unthinkable for previous generations. Until 1967, Americans risked losing their citizenship for voting in foreign elections or serving in foreign militaries.
Today, a second passport represents the ultimate safety net, offering:
Expanded travel freedom and global mobility
Economic benefits and employment opportunities
Access to different healthcare and public service systems
A retirement strategy with geographic flexibility
Among those considering a move, 60% are willing to pay for services that would help them relocate, connecting them with international realtors, healthcare options, and visa management. Services that simplify global mobility will find growing markets.
Weighing Options: Push and Pull Factors
While many Americans are exploring options abroad, it's essential to understand what drives relocation considerations and what keeps most Americans rooted in the U.S.
For those considering leaving:
Economic factors like housing costs and healthcare expenses
Desire for different lifestyle and cultural experiences
Concerns about various social and political developments
For the majority who plan to stay:
Strong family and community connections
Career opportunities unique to the American market
76% of College Grads believe “America provides the best-paid job opportunities than anywhere else
Profound cultural and patriotic ties to the United States
Belief in America's resilience and ability to address challenges
What To Consider
As we enter what we've called "The Daring Twenties"—an era where Americans are breaking away from conventions and taking matters into their own hands—brands have a unique opportunity to partner in reimagining the American Dream with wellbeing and quality of life at its core.
This isn't about facilitating an exodus—it's about creating conditions where Americans can thrive right here while maintaining global connections that enrich rather than replace their American experience.
Provide relief: Identify and eliminate the small but constant frustrations that compound stress. Streamline processes, remove friction, and give back people's most precious resource—time. This is especially relevant in Healthcare.
Break down milestones: Create stepping stones to homeownership, education, and financial security through innovative models like fractional ownership, membership communities, and alternative financing.
Inject levity and play: Find ways to bring playfulness to typically stressful experiences. Brands that can make people smile during otherwise overwhelming processes create invaluable emotional breathing room.
Facilitate belonging: Build platforms that bring people together, helping people share resources, knowledge, and mutual aid. Create spaces where people feel genuinely seen and connected.
Slow down the pace: Help people step out of constant busyness and into a more present, joyful relationship with their daily lives. Create permission and opportunities to savor moments rather than rush through them.
Import ‘best of’ global habits: Bring the best aspects of international approaches that Americans seek—from walkable neighborhoods to family-friendly work cultures to community-centered social models.
The most compelling brand positioning will not promise to fix America's challenges—it's listening to Americans and reimagining the future together.
I'm inspired by the community builders creating co-living spaces in Detroit, launching childcare collectives in Tennessee, and developing hometown investment funds in New Mexico.
What about you? Have you caught yourself browsing real estate listings in Portugal while simultaneously reimagining your neighborhood?
Big shout out to Tim Osiecki and Esther Kwon, who led this report (full report here).
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Penned by Libby Rodney and Abbey Lunney, founders of the Thought Leadership Group at The Harris Poll. To learn more about the Thought Leadership Practice, just contact one of us or find out more here.
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