AmerExit by the Numbers: 4-9 Million Americans Now Live Abroad (2026 Data)

“AmerExit” entered the mainstream lexicon after the 2024 presidential election, when Google searches for “how to leave the US” spiked over 1,000% in a single week. But the data tells a story that started well before any single election cycle. The underlying drivers — healthcare costs, housing affordability, political polarization, remote work normalization — have been building pressure for years. The election was not the cause. It was the valve that finally popped.

The numbers that followed were staggering. Brookings economists estimate total US net migration—not US-citizen emigration—was between −295,000 and −10,000 in 2025 (the Wall Street Journal reported the estimate in February 2026). Citizenship expatriation lists (citizens and some long-term residents) ran at 4,889 names, close to the 2020 record. Passport applications hit all-time records. Immigration attorneys reported waitlists for consultations stretching months into the future.

But how much of this is real, and how much is noise? How many Americans are actually packing their bags versus simply doom-scrolling? This article cuts through the headlines and looks at what the data actually says about the AmerExit phenomenon — who is leaving, where they are going, and whether the trend has legs.

Are Americans leaving the U.S. in record numbers? (May 2026 update)

For destination-specific data (top exit destinations, visa pathways, and which cities Americans are actually settling in) see the Leaving the U.S. hub. For a personalized comparison across the 5–8 destinations most Americans choose first, start a free WhereNext relocation case — we pre-fill your origin as the U.S. and your top exit destinations get scored against your budget and household.

The Numbers: What the Data Actually Shows

Let us start with the hard data. The picture is a composite drawn from Federal Register renunciation lists, Census Bureau migration estimates, State Department passport data, and multiple survey sources. No single number tells the full story, but together they paint a clear trend.

Expatriation lists: 1,285 names appeared on the Q1 2025 expatriation list. The four quarterly lists for 2025 total 4,889 names, up 1.5% on 2024's 4,819 and short of 2020's record 6,708 — high, but a plateau rather than a surge.

Net migration: Brookings estimates total US net migration—not US-citizen emigration—was between −295,000 and −10,000 in 2025 and likely very low or negative in 2026. The Census Bureau's own estimate for July 2024 to June 2025 is still positive at 1.3 million, down 54% from 2.7 million the year before, so the direction is settled and the size is not. The reversal is driven by reduced immigration inflows more than by emigration.

Survey data: The Harris Poll American Expats Survey (February 2025) found that 42% of Americans had considered or planned to move abroad in the next two years. Among Gen Z respondents, that figure was 63%; among LGBTQIA+ and Hispanic respondents, 61%; and among Black respondents, 57%.

Passports: The State Department issued a record 27.3 million passports in fiscal 2025, up from 24.5 million in fiscal 2024 and 24.0 million in fiscal 2023. While a passport does not equal emigration, it is a leading indicator of intent to travel — and potentially relocate.

The trend lines are unmistakable. Renunciations are back near their 2020 peak, net migration has fallen from 2.7 million to 1.3 million in a year on the Census count (and to an estimated net outflow on the Brookings calendar-year estimate), and passport demand continues to break records. The question is no longer whether Americans are leaving. It is where they are going. Our companion piece explores why Americans are leaving the US in record numbers and the structural forces driving this shift.

Where Are They Going?

The destinations are not random. Americans are clustering in countries that offer some combination of affordability, visa accessibility, cultural familiarity, and quality of life. Based on visa application data, expat community growth, and real estate trends in receiving countries, these are the top destinations for Americans moving abroad in 2025–2026.

Portugal and Mexico dominate for different reasons. Portugal offers the full EU package — Schengen access, path to citizenship in ten years for US applicants, excellent healthcare — at a fraction of Western European prices. Mexico wins on sheer proximity: same time zones, cheap flights home, and no visa required for stays up to 180 days. Spain is surging thanks to its digital nomad visa and the fact that it simply scores highest on lifestyle in our entire database. France is the surprise mover, with American applications tripling in the past two years.

For a deeper comparison of these destinations, explore our full ranking of the best countries for Americans or use the country comparison tool to put any two head to head.

Who Is Leaving?

The stereotype of the AmerExit emigrant — a young, politically frustrated liberal fleeing to Canada — is outdated. The demographic picture is far more diverse than the memes suggest.

Remote workers (30s–40s, tech and creative fields): This is the largest and fastest-growing segment. They are not fleeing anything — they are optimizing. A senior developer earning $150,000 from a US company can live like royalty in Lisbon or Mexico City while banking the difference. The math is simple: cost arbitrage plus lifestyle upgrade equals a rational economic decision.

Retirees (60s+): Healthcare costs are the primary driver. A retired couple on $3,000/month in Social Security can barely afford a one-bedroom apartment in most US cities after factoring in Medicare supplemental premiums and out-of-pocket medical costs. That same $3,000 buys a comfortable life with quality healthcare in Costa Rica, Malaysia, or Spain.

Gen Z (18–30): Political frustration plays a larger role here, but so does economics. With student debt, unaffordable housing, and a general sense that the social contract is broken, 63% of Gen Z respondents say they have considered leaving. Many are pursuing working holiday visas or citizenship by descent through European ancestry.

LGBTQ+ community: With 61% considering leaving, this group is motivated by both policy concerns and personal safety. They are seeking countries with stronger legal protections, marriage equality, and cultural acceptance. Our LGBTQ+ expat rankings cover the best options.

Families: Education quality, safety, and healthcare are the drivers. The cost of raising a child in the US has climbed past $310,000 (before college), and school safety concerns have pushed many families to explore countries where those fears simply do not exist. See our guide for American families moving abroad.

Across all groups, the motivations converge on a few core themes: 49% cite lower cost of living as their primary motivator, while a broader 86% say affordable living is among their top reasons. Healthcare, safety, and quality of life round out the list.

The Reality Check

Before the AmerExit narrative runs away with itself, some important caveats. The gap between “considering leaving” and “actually leaving” is enormous.

Most AmerExit searches do not convert to actual moves. The 42% who had considered or planned to move abroad in the next two years includes everyone from serious planners to people who Googled it once at 11 PM after watching the news. Search volume for “how to move abroad” spikes around every major political event and then fades. Talking about leaving and doing it are very different things.

Visa requirements are the number-one barrier. Most countries do not make it easy for Americans to immigrate. You cannot just show up and stay. You need either a specific visa category (work, retirement, investment, digital nomad), a second citizenship (through ancestry or naturalization), or an employer willing to sponsor you. Our visa accessibility guide breaks down which countries are genuinely open.

US citizenship-based taxation follows you everywhere. The United States is one of only two countries in the world (the other is Eritrea) that taxes citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live. Moving abroad does not eliminate your US tax obligation. The FEIE and FTC can help, but the filing requirements are real and ongoing.

The commonly cited “9 million Americans living abroad” statistic also deserves scrutiny. That figure, from the State Department, includes military personnel, government employees, and their families stationed overseas. The number of Americans who have independently chosen to live abroad is likely closer to 4–5 million. Still significant, but context matters.

Actually leaving requires: a valid visa or second citizenship, serious financial planning, tax compliance strategy, healthcare coverage, and often years of preparation. It is not a weekend decision. Read our guide to what nobody tells you about moving abroad for the unvarnished reality.

Will the Trend Continue?

Arguments for acceleration: Remote work normalization is the single biggest structural enabler. In 2019, fewer than 15 countries offered digital nomad visas. Today, roughly 50 countries have formal programs, and more are launching every quarter. This means the legal infrastructure for Americans to live abroad while keeping US-based income has never been more accessible. Add to that rising US housing costs (median home price now exceeds $400,000), healthcare inflation that outpaces wages every year, and a generational shift in attitudes toward geographic flexibility, and the conditions for continued outflow are firmly in place.

Arguments for slowing: The most popular destinations are tightening their doors. Portugal ended its Golden Visa for real estate in 2023. Spain terminated its Golden Visa entirely in April 2025. Housing crises in Lisbon, Barcelona, and other expat-heavy cities are generating local backlash against foreign residents — particularly Americans perceived as driving up rents. Some destinations may raise digital nomad visa income thresholds or cap the number of permits. There is also the phenomenon of “AmerExit fatigue” — as the term becomes a meme and the novelty wears off, casual interest may subside even as serious movers continue.

The most likely outcome is bifurcation: the number of Americans seriously relocating will continue to climb, driven by structural economic factors, while the broader cultural buzz around AmerExit fades from peak intensity. The trend is real. The hype cycle has its own timeline.

Start With Data, Not Headlines

Whether you are seriously considering a move abroad or just exploring the idea, the worst thing you can do is make a life-altering decision based on a trending hashtag or a viral TikTok. Start with data. Look at cost of living, visa pathways, healthcare quality, safety, and tax implications for your specific situation. The countries that top the headlines are not always the countries that top the rankings.

Here is where to start:

• Leaving the US hub — our comprehensive resource center for Americans exploring a move abroad. We also have guides for Brits, Canadians, and Australians.
• Take the 2-minute country quiz — get a personalized ranking based on your priorities, budget, and lifestyle preferences.
• Compare countries side by side — put any two destinations head to head on seven dimensions.
• State-by-state migration guide — see where Americans from each state are relocating and why.
• Use the tools — tax comparison calculator, visa checker, cost of living explorer, and more.

The AmerExit numbers are real and they are growing. But the most important number is the one that applies to your life: how much further your money goes, how much safer your family feels, how much better your quality of life could be. That is what the data is for.

Frequently Asked Questions

For the latest migration data, see where Americans are actually moving in 2026 and the US renunciation fee drop that is accelerating the trend.