Analyzes of reputable media and research institutions, including the Brookings Institution and The Wall Street Journal, point to such developments.
According to expert estimates, in 2025 the USA recorded a negative net migration balance of around 150,000 people. This means that the number of those who left the country exceeded the number of newcomers, representing the first such demographic reversal since the Great Depression of the 1930s.
This trend is the result of a combination of factors. On the one hand, the tightening of migration policies and the reduced influx of immigrants are noticeable. On the other hand, the number of American citizens who voluntarily decide to continue their life abroad is growing. Although the US continues to carry out deportations and restrictive visa regimes, a silent exodus of its own citizens is taking place in parallel.
The United States has traditionally had the largest population of immigrants in the world, but at the same time, it has seen an increase in the interest of its citizens in moving to other countries. Analyzes show that the number of Americans seeking residence permits, buying real estate or enrolling in studies abroad has increased significantly.
Among the most popular destinations stand out Portugal, where the American community has grown many times since the pandemic, followed by Ireland, where the number of immigrated Americans has doubled in a short period, and the Czech Republic, which attracts immigrants with affordable living costs and security. Estimates say that between four and nine million Americans currently live outside the US, although there is no single official statistic.
The reasons for leaving are multifaceted. The high cost of living, especially housing and health care, are often cited as key motivations. Compared to the American model of private health insurance, many European countries offer more affordable public and private health care systems.
Education is also a significant factor. More than 100,000 young Americans are currently studying abroad, attracted by lower tuition fees and different academic models. In addition, some families cite concerns about the security situation and armed attacks in schools, as well as growing political polarization in the country.
This demographic trend could have long-term consequences for the US labor market, economic consumption and the overall structure of the population. For nearly two and a half centuries, the United States has built an identity as a country of immigration and has relied on immigration as a key source of economic growth.
Now, however, the question arises as to whether the concept of the “American dream” is changing – and whether for some citizens it increasingly means living outside the borders of their own country.
