Have you ever thought about starting a new life? If you have, which country would you choose to start that new life? For those American people doubting where to move, we have a list of the top countries to live in, according to a large survey of more than 100,000 people. So, let’s find out which country stands out the most, shall we?
How the survey was made
The data we are going to show you come from a survey made by Expatsi, a company that helps people who want to move to a different country. Basically, Expatsi offers relocation tours, advice, and resources for future expats.
During the year 2024, 116,363 American people completed a 20-question survey on the Expatsi website and the goal was to better understand which type of life each person wants. Some of the questions included in the survey were:
- Preferred weather.
- Lifestyle and local policies.
- Plans to work, study, or retire.
- Financial situation.
- Countries they were interested in learning more about.
At the end of the survey, people could see which country suited them best depending on their preferences.
The most popular countries among Americans
Now it’s time to tell you which countries Americans were most interested in, let’s see the top 10 countries:
- Portugal
- Spain
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- Italy
- Ireland
- France
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Costa Rica
Not only was Portugal the most searched-for option, but also the most recommended country based on people’s answers. According to Expatsi’s assessment results, Portugal was followed by France, Spain, Greece, and Switzerland.
Why Portugal?
Portugal has become the most popular country because it fits very well with what Americans are searching for their future. The survey shows that people want to change the place they live in, but also their lifestyle.
But, why do people want to leave the U.S.? Many people feel like living abroad can help them grow and learn more about the world, so the desire for adventure, personal growth, and new experiences is what makes them want to move. Apart from this, there are more reasons mentioned in the survey, like:
- 56% say the U.S. feels too conservative.
- 53% believe the country is too divided.
- Around half want more or different freedoms.
- Many want to avoid the risk of gun violence.
- 41% hope to save money by living abroad.
These feelings have pushed Portugal to the top as the country that best fits these needs, according to the survey results.
When and how Americans plan to move
Another point analyzed in the survey was when people want to move and how they plan to do it. This is what Americans have answered:
- Two-thirds of respondents want to leave the U.S. by 2026.
- 12% hope to move within the next six months.
- 30% plan to retire abroad.
- 18% are looking for a digital nomad visa.
- 17% plan to move using a skilled worker visa.
Political impact
The interest in moving to a different country particularly increased after the 2024 U.S. presidential election, when Donald Trump was re-elected. According to a CNBC analysis, Google searches related to moving to another country increased starting in June 2024.
Expatsi’s website traffic jumped sharply as well. In November, the site had nearly 51,000 visitors, compared to about 8,000 visitors in October. Jen Barnett, who co-founded Expatsi with her husband Brett Andrews in 2022, explained that interest in relocating often increases after major political events. She also noted that their company saw a similar spike after the Roe v. Wade decision was overturned.
A growing business
Due to the increase of this interest, Expatsi has grown very fast. According to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It, the company’s revenue increased by 19,632% year over year. For example, in 2024, Expatsi helped more than 200 people go on relocation tours and Barnett explained that:
- About 5% have already fully moved.
- Around 25% are currently completing visa paperwork.
So…
If you have been thinking about moving abroad, now you know you are not the only one. But, would you like to move to Portugal? If that’s not your choice, maybe you should do Expatsi test to find out your ideal country to move in.