A recent Gallup poll has revealed a significant increase in the number of Americans who are contemplating leaving the United States permanently, with young women making up a notable portion of this demographic. Over 40% of women in the 15-44 age bracket expressed a desire to emigrate, marking a considerable rise in sentiment over previous years.
Published on November 13, the poll highlights that this trend has been on an upward trajectory, particularly since 2017, and is now at unprecedented levels. Young women and girls are particularly inclined to consider relocating, with reported figures exceeding 40%.
Canada stands out as the most popular destination among those who wish to leave, aligning with long-established migration trends from the U.S. Interestingly, marital status does not significantly influence this desire; 45% of single women and 41% of married women aged 15-44 have expressed an intention to move abroad.
In comparison, the overall percentage of Americans wanting to leave the country is 21%. Among young males in the same age category, the figure is lower, at 19%. For individuals aged 45 and above, 16% of women and 8% of men reported a desire to emigrate.
The interest in emigration among young women surged further with 44% indicating a desire to leave in 2024, a significant increase from 29% in 2023. In 2014, only 10% of younger women expressed similar sentiments, demonstrating a remarkable shift over the past decade.
Besides Canada, other favored alternatives include New Zealand, Italy, and Japan. It is important to note that the Gallup poll measures the desire to leave and does not reflect actual plans to relocate.
Factors Contributing to Discontent
Political sentiments have been implicated in shaping these responses. According to the Gallup report, among individuals who express approval of former President Donald Trump, only 4% mentioned a desire to leave. In contrast, 29% of those who disapprove of him indicated they would consider relocating.
The demographic least confident in U.S. institutions—primarily young women—has seen a significant decline in trust. Since 2015, this group has experienced a decrease in confidence of 17 points, while men in the same age group have maintained relatively stable levels of trust, dipping only slightly by 1 point.
Although the survey did not explicitly ask respondents why they wish to leave, it did assess trust in various institutions. The findings suggest that lower confidence in entities such as the government, judiciary, military, and electoral integrity correlates with a heightened desire to emigrate.
