WeeklySA_AdminENOUGH: As economic pressures mount and social tensions rise, scores of US citizens want to migrate – in contrast to hundreds of Afrikaners eager to come to America…
By Own Correspondent and WSAM Reporter
NEW YORK — In the shadow of growing social divisions, rising housing costs and healthcare concerns, hundreds of Americans are considering a future outside the United States.
This is according to a recent survey which has found that 17% of American adults want to move internationally within the next five years, potentially signalling a significant shift in the country’s population. This situation in South Africa, where 70 000 Afrikaners have expressed interest in moving to the US following President Donald Trump’s offer last month to resettle the Afrikaner community. Thereafter, the SA Chamber of Commerce in the USA was inundated by tens of thousands inquiries from Afrikaners. In a February executive order, President Donald Trump said Afrikaners – descendants of mainly Dutch settlers who arrived in the 17th Century – could be admitted as refugees as they were “victims of unjust racial discrimination”.
The latest American survey, conducted by Talker Research in February this year, found that 5% of Americans plan to take actual steps toward living abroad in the next few years, while 2% have already started the process of moving to another country.
Millennials emerged as the group most eager to move internationally, with a quarter (25%) wanting to relocate abroad – higher than any other generation surveyed. This trend likely reflects the unique challenges faced by millennials, who have experienced multiple economic downturns, rising student debt, and increasingly unaffordable housing throughout their adult lives. Regionally, Midwesterners (18%) showed slightly more interest in moving abroad than Americans in the Southwest, West, Southeast, and Northeast (all at 16%).
For many Americans, the desire to live abroad isn’t just a reaction to current problems. The survey found that more than four in ten respondents (44%) have always wanted to experience life in another country, suggesting that for many, this represents a long-held dream rather than just an escape plan.
When asked about preferred destinations, Canada emerged as the clear frontrunner, with 19% of potential expatriates naming it as their top choice. The appeal of America’s northern neighbour appears to be multi-faceted, with respondents citing Canada’s high-quality healthcare (41%), its diverse landscape offering ample opportunities for exploration and recreation (28%), and the nation’s practical approach to work-life balance (21%) as primary attractions.
Italy secured the second position on the list of desired destinations, capturing the interest of 11% of respondents. The Mediterranean nation’s renowned cuisine ranked as its most compelling feature (68%), followed closely by its rich culture and warm people (66%). Italy’s breathtaking scenery and varied terrain also factored significantly in its appeal (40%).
England rounded out the top three destinations (10%), with potential American expatriates drawn to its culture and distinctive way of life (66%), rich historical heritage (49%), diverse landscapes (25%), and quality healthcare system (21%).
Other countries that registered significant interest among survey participants included Australia (10%), Ireland (8%), France (6%), Switzerland (5%), Costa Rica (5%), Scotland (4%), and Germany (4%). This diverse list spans multiple continents and cultural spheres, indicating that Americans’ international aspirations are global in scope rather than limited to specific regions.
Reasons
The survey examined the key reasons driving Americans to consider moving abroad. The findings show significant concerns about both American society and the challenges of building financial security. Almost seven in 10 respondents (69%) worried about the direction the United States is heading, while a majority (65%) described American society as having become “toxic.”
Money worries were a major factor. More than half of respondents (54%) said living in the US is no longer affordable, while 55% believed the gap between rich and poor limits their opportunities. Nearly four in 10 (39%) thought improving their finances and quality of life would be easier in another country. Work-life balance was another concern, with 57% of respondents calling America’s approach inadequate. Even more troubling were views on essential systems, with strong majorities agreeing that American healthcare (65%) and education (66%) systems are broken.
These negative views have changed how many see life in America compared to other countries, with 40% saying living in the US is no longer enjoyable or preferable to other nations. ‘Invisible attrition’ Experts commenting on the survey emphasised the importance of younger generations’ openness to living abroad. “Younger generations, in particular, are driving this trend,” says Clint Kreider, a licensed marriage and family therapist at Still Water Wellness Group.
“Raised in the shadow of the 2008 recession and pandemic-era instability, they’ve inherited scepticism toward traditional pathways to stability. Social media amplifies this by showcasing alternatives — countries with robust safety nets, affordable education or mandated vacation time.”
Kreider described a pattern he sees in his therapy practice: “In my therapy practice, I’ve witnessed clients grappling with what I call ‘invisible attrition’: a sense that no matter how hard they work, systemic barriers (skyrocketing healthcare costs, stagnant wages and unrelenting hustle culture) erode their ability to thrive.” Max Shak, founder and chief executive officer of Zapiy, linked these trends to changing ideas about success.
“Many professionals, especially younger generations, are questioning whether the traditional ‘American Dream‘ is still attainable. Skyrocketing housing costs, student debt and healthcare expenses have made it harder for people to feel financially secure in the US”
Shak added: “In contrast, many countries offer more affordable living, universal healthcare and better work-life balance, making the idea of relocating incredibly appealing. Ultimately, this openness to moving abroad reflects a larger shift — people are prioritising quality of life over traditional career paths and seeking environments that better align with their personal and financial well-being.”
For the 17% of Americans contemplating international relocation, the decision involves complex calculations balancing career opportunities, healthcare access, education systems, cultural amenities, and social environments. The specificity of their destination preferences – from Canada’s healthcare system to Italy’s culinary traditions – indicates thoughtful consideration rather than mere escapism.
If the survey’s findings translate into actual migration patterns, the implications could be significant. The potential movement of even a small percentage of the US population to international destinations would represent millions of Americans establishing new lives abroad. Such movement could affect domestic labour markets, particularly if those departing represent disproportionate numbers of specific professions or skill sets. It could also influence political dynamics, both by changing the composition of the domestic electorate and by creating more internationally distributed American communities with ties to multiple nations. From a global perspective, increased American migration to countries like Canada, Italy, and England could strengthen cultural and economic ties between these nations and the United States, potentially fostering new transnational communities and networks.
The survey also highlights the practical challenges involved in international migration, from visa requirements and employment considerations to the emotional complexity of leaving behind family, friends, and familiar surroundings. For many Americans, the idea of living abroad may simply remain an appealing but unrealised dream rather than an imminent reality. Nevertheless, the survey points to a noteworthy shift in how Americans conceptualise their future possibilities. The willingness to consider life beyond national borders represents an expanded vision of where and how one might pursue happiness, security, and fulfilment – a vision that appears to be gaining traction particularly among younger Americans.
Talker Research surveyed 2 000 Americans online between February 7 and 10 this year. Relations between the US and South Africa have become increasingly strained since Trump became president in January, and also since President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the land expropriation law. – StudyFinds, Weekly SA Mirror Reporter
Comment
FLUSH OUT CORRUPT COPS
Corruption has tarnished the image of the police whose trust and confidence in most communities was at an all-time low because of some unscrupulous officers who accepted bribes and were also in cahoots with criminal syndicates.
While we commend those honest and hard-working officers who were committed to their duties of maintaining law and order, amongst them were those who joined the police force to enrich themselves by engaging in criminal activities.
Addressing the Policing Summit in Ekurhuleni last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa called on police management to recruit the right caliber of candidates through a rigorous selection process. This was due to the level of corruption that has not left any aspect of the police untouched.
He expected the Summit to devote most of their attention to promoting ethical behaviour, accountability and measures to rebuild confidence in law enforcement. Instilling a culture of ethics formed part of wider efforts to professionalise the police force.
With crime levels having reached alarming proportions in this country, the lives of the men and women in blue were on the line almost daily because of brazen criminals who have no respect for the rule of law. Those dedicated police officers should be supported in their efforts to provide safety and security for all citizens. Communities must also play a role in identifying criminals who were making the lives of many South Africans a nightmare. A thought must be spared for those honest police officers who have to daily face hardened criminals who act with impunity killing anyone, including the police who tried to stop them. The recent cash-in-transit incidents, where a large number of robbers were killed around the country, bear testimony to the dangers the police officers faced.
The latest crime statistics revealed that nearly 40 police officers were murdered in the line of duty between April 2023 and May 2024. Innocent bystanders and motorists were not spared in these deadly attacks. This is unacceptable.
The senior police management’s crucial mandate, according to President Ramaphosa, was to draw a clear plan on how to address the systemic deficiencies that were negatively impacting policing. A culture of honesty and integrity must be instilled within the police force in an effort to regain confidence within the communities they served.
