A growing number of Americans are leaving the United States and opting to work abroad. But workforce experts and human resource managers are asking, “Why?”
While there are a number of explanations, data shows that after the Coronavirus that plagued the world for four years and altered so many lives, the number of Americans who have opted to relocate to Mexico, Canada, Europe and Asia has continued to grow dramatically creating a drain on the number of experienced white collar workers in the corporate ranks as well as craftsman and migrants whose expertise keeps America’s agricultural sector prosperous.
Here are the primary reasons for this relocation movement.
First, there’s a greater awareness among the Millennials and the over-65 seniors as to the importance of work/life balance and having a higher quality of life at a fraction of the cost. Mexico and Canada are among the top choices for Americans seeking to relocate given those two countries’ proximity to the United States.
Because work rules and employment laws in Europe are significantly more favorable to the employee, a growing number of ex-patriots are relocating to European Union countries. EU countries pay competitive wages and they protect workers from unfair labor practices as well as harsh workplace conditions.
Also, there is a growing demand for American talent in the Middle East countries, especially in the UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Jordan where compensation is significantly higher to attract top talent, and work visas are easier to obtain.
Another reason that is often cited is the political and economic uncertainty in the United States is troubling to many younger Americans and retirees. We interviewed a number of ex-pats who had relocated to Mexico, Canada and countries in Asia – including Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand – and they described America’s current economic and political environment as “troubling, unmanageable, and chaotic.”
They also cited the cheaper cost of living in countries like Thailand and Vietnam. We verified this fact when interviewing dozens of American ex-pats. For example, clothing, food, and utilities in Thailand and Vietnam average about one-quarter the cost in the United States. Housing in Thailand and Vietnam can be 75% cheaper – even in major cities like Bangkok or Hanoi. Several Americans, who relocated to Thailand and Vietnam, told us they can “live like a king or queen” for about $1,500 a month.
This growing trend is another reason why several popular “retirement states” like Florida, Arizona, Nevada, and the Carolinas are concerned that the number of retirees, who are relocating there, is dwindling. The cheaper cost of living in Asia has been a key reason why so many retirees have decided to sell their homes in the United States and relocate to these Asian countries where political chaos and economic uncertainty are almost nonexistent and rarely impact the average resident. Of course, Americans have the option to keep their USA passports and return to visit family and friends every few years, which most do.
What has been most disturbing to corporate workforce experts is the number of qualified professional office workers who have quit and moved abroad. These include the talented, college and post-college graduates, who held well-paying white collar jobs, and had the expertise and know-how to manage productivity, quality control, and maintain the culture and stability in their organizations. But, the daily pressures to perform and work overtime with little reward or recognition as well as long commutes has pushed them to relocate out of the United States.
So, how big a problem is the “brain drain” as a result of this growing exodus?
According to the U.S. Department of State, approximately 9 million Americans are living abroad. This figure includes dual citizens as well as military and diplomatic personnel. However, last year, it is estimated 180,000 Americans emigrated from the United States to live in foreign countries. That number is expected to swell to over 200,000 in 2026.
Here are some of the facts about Americans leaving the workforce and moving abroad:
American citizens relocating abroad are primarily choosing destinations based on proximity, cultural familiarity, and the lower cost of living. The most popular destinations include:
- The Americas: Mexico (consistently the top destination) and Canada.
- Europe: The United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Greece.
- Asia-Pacific: Thailand, Vietnam, Bali (Indonesia), and India.
Here’s a disturbing fact. The United States experienced negative net migration in 2025 with more people leaving than arriving for the first time in 90 years. According to government figures, the United States experienced an estimated loss of 150,000 people in 2025.
This stark increase in Americans leaving this country to search for greener pastures for work is alarming to workforce experts. Does it signal more workforce problems for American businesses? The short answer is corporations are deeply concerned because three negative trends are combining to create productivity and growth problems throughout corporate America as well as small businesses.
First, the federal government’s crackdown on illegal immigrants and foreigners who have overstayed their visas is now causing a shortage of manpower and talent, and this disruption is also hurting the small business sector because they are short-staffed, especially throughout the farm belt states, that rely on migrant labor and low-skilled workers.
Secondly, the tech industry’s ability to attract enough highly-skilled engineers and other white collar employees from India and Asia, who possess AI expertise, has been hampered by the same restrictive federal government immigration policies. According to Wall Street analysts, if this trend continues, the technology sector will face serious problems in 2027 as it tries to keep with China, Tiawan, and India.
Thirdly, the competition for educated workers is fierce and it is now a global talent war. Now, American companies must compete with the EU and other G20 countries for the same talent. This is driving up the cost of doing business because of higher wages to attract the best-and-brightest, and pay exorbitant Visa fees and legal costs to secure the necessary paperwork so these workers can live and work in the USA. And, when US government policies make it difficult for individuals to get work visas, thus delaying their arrival, those talented individuals make the decision to accept a position in a friendlier foreign country that will welcome them.
This predicament is not limited to educated workers. It is also impacting hospitality companies, the agricultural industry, food services, and healthcare. In an interview with a gathering of young mothers from affluent American cities, they expressed serious concern about the lack of “nannies and skilled child care workers” to work in daycare facilities and pre-schools. Without that care, these young mothers, who were educated and seasoned entrepreneurs, were forced to stay home and forego their careers for several years.
Where Have American Workers Gone?
Remote work options.
Now that remote work options are here to stay, many of the Americans who are relocating abroad are doing so since they can work from anywhere in the world and enjoy a better quality of life that cost less. Some Americans prefer different lifestyles and experiences than what the USA offers.
Being able to work remotely allows people to live anywhere and still work for a company in the United States. The migration workforce wave is led by IT and technology professionals. 16% of people who took new roles outside of the United States were from the Information Technology sector.
It’s All About the Money.
Despite the supposedly low inflation numbers that the federal government reports, Americans have seen a significant increase in their daily costs of living. From housing and groceries, to the cost of cars, and the price of gas and utilities, everything has risen faster than their paychecks. This is one reason people are running for the hills.
Many Americans are opting to live where their money goes further. As millions feel the financial pressure to stay afloat, they are giving serious consideration to leaving the USA rather than keep drowning in debt or trying to keep up with the Joneses. Over half of Americans have shared that their finances are worsening. So, this is a major reason why so many emigrants have opted to leave the United States.
The Unmanageable Cost of Healthcare:
The unbearable cost of healthcare is a major factor in relocating out of the USA. A growing number of Americans simply cannot afford health insurance or the cost of prescriptions. Millions of Americans cannot even afford basic healthcare.
Consider these troubling statistics. According to the Oncology Nursing Society, approximately 51% of American adults struggle to afford or access needed healthcare and prescription medications. Data from a West Health-Gallup Poll classifies about 41% as “cost insecure” (lacking access or unable to pay for care or medicine) and an additional 10% as “cost desperate” (unable to pay for both care and prescription drugs).
The average annual U.S. healthcare spending per capita was $13,493 in 2024. Compare that with the following countries’ average annual healthcare costs:
- Germany – $7,343
- Portugal – $3,343
- Apain – $3,718
- Thailand – $892
- Mexico – $1,181
Some might argue that the “cost of healthcare in America is much higher because the quality of care is so much better.” Unfortunately, this argument isn’t supported by the hard facts. While Americans are spending more on healthcare than any other country, our infant mortality is higher in the United States than in any other developed nation in the world. And the life expectancy in America is 77.5 years, which ranks 46th globally (behind Chile, Cuba, and Costa Rica). These are very disturbing statistics given the fact that American healthcare is supposed to be one of the best in the world. So, why are Americans paying so much for healthcare, but getting so little in return? The short answer is this. The problem is systemic and it’s causing more Americans to relocate to foreign shores.
One focus group in Thailand told us that healthcare is “both accessible and inexpensive.” Most medications in Thailand do not require a prescription or a doctor’s visit. Most Thai hospitals offer excellent care for the average person at a fraction of what it would cost in the United States. The same is true with dental care and surgical procedures that require a hospital stay.
It’s not surprising that Thailand’s healthcare system ranks 8th globally and 1st in Southeast Asia in the 2026 Numbeo Healthcare Index. Taiwan is ranked first and Japan is also highly rated.
Private and international hospitals in major Thai cities deliver world-class care, featuring dozens of Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited facilities and high rankings for medical tourism, at a fraction of Western costs.
Housing Market:
The American housing market is trapped between generational wealth dividers and those who do not have that luxury. It is not only pushing people out of their towns, but now potentially out of the country.
Here is the affordability crisis in statistics:
- Median U.S. house price – $412,000 (2025)
- Median household income – $80,610
- Price-to-income ratio – 5.1x (the traditional “affordable” number is 3.0x)
A one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan costs $3,800 a month. For a one-bedroom rent in central Madrid, Spain, it costs $1,200 a month. The math says it all.
Many Americans who are earning a U.S. salary remotely and living abroad are not just saving money, but they are actually living a higher quality of life.
Where are Americans Going?
According to the experts, in 2025, around 2,500 U.S.-based employees left to live abroad. Out of these workers, the majority moved to Europe—France specifically. The United Kingdom is also a popular choice for American workers to re-settle given the similarities in language and culture.
Interestingly, a large segment of this outmigration is led by foreign-born employees leaving the U.S. According to Revelio’s data, it shows that in 2025, about 30% of foreign-born employees left the United States. The shift in labor patterns is concerning to major American-based companies that have relied on the expertise and knowledge of these foreign-born employees.
Bottom Line:
Americans are leaving “the land of the free and home of the brave” in record numbers. Companies and workforce experts, who rely on a steady influx of new talent, are concerned at this growing trend and they’re beginning to question the federal government’s rationale regarding its immigration policies, especially when it comes to work-related visas and harsh enforcement practices. For American citizens who decide to leave for foreign shores, it appears they are in search of a better quality of life, work/life balance, and more bang for their buck.
Healthcare, affordability issues, economic uncertainty, workplace culture, remote work options, more money, and political discord in Washington rank as the top reasons. While many Americans continue to “hug” their jobs, there is a small, but growing percentage of talented and skilled workers who are packing up their things and heading overseas.
