Why Americans Are Leaving the US in Record Numbers (2026 Data)

On February 26, 2026 — yesterday, as of this writing — the Wall Street Journal reported a Brookings estimate that would have been unthinkable a generation ago: more people left the United States in 2025 than moved in — an estimate of total US net migration between −295,000 and −10,000, not a measure of US-citizen emigration. The Census Bureau's own July-to-June count is still +1.3 million, so treat the direction as the news and the size as an estimate.

This is not a political talking point or a social media trend. It is a Wall Street Journal analysis (February 2026) built on immigration data from 15 countries. That analysis put the 2025 figure at roughly 180,000. It is a cross-country analysis, not an official global count of US-citizen emigration.

The phenomenon has been dubbed the “Donald Dash” by media outlets, but the trend predates 2025. It has been building for years, accelerated by remote work, rising living costs, and a generation that grew up comparing their lives to friends in Lisbon, Barcelona, and Tokyo on Instagram. The election was a catalyst, not a cause.

Here is what the data actually shows, who is leaving, where they are going, and — if you are among the 42% of Americans who have considered or plan to move abroad in the next two years in The Harris Poll American Expats Survey (February 2025) — how to actually make it happen.

The Numbers Are Staggering

Let these numbers sink in:

• 9.5 million+ Americans now live outside the US — more than the entire population of New Jersey
• A Wall Street Journal analysis of 15 countries’ immigration data put 2025 American arrivals at roughly 180,000
• Net negative migration in 2025 (Brookings estimate) — more people left than arrived, for the first time in at least half a century
• 4,889 names on the 2025 expatriation lists, near the 2020 record of 6,708
• 1,514% increase in Google searches for “moving abroad” after the 2024 election
• 49% of existing expats are considering renouncing citizenship entirely (up from 30% in 2024)
• Renunciation appointment waits vary by post; check the relevant US embassy or consulate

This is not a blip. The Brookings Institution projects that net migration will remain “very low or negative in 2026 as well.”

Who Is Actually Leaving?

The stereotype of the American expat — a retired couple sipping cocktails on a Mexican beach — is outdated. The new wave is younger, more diverse, and driven by different motivations.

The Demographics

• Gen Z (18–26): In The Harris Poll American Expats Survey (February 2025), 63% had considered or planned to move abroad in the next two years. 16% are already living the nomadic life. 26% plan to become digital nomads by 2026. They are the most internationally mobile generation in American history. See our best countries for Gen Z guide for where they are heading.
• Millennials (27–42): The largest group actually making the move. Mid-career professionals with remote-capable jobs, often traveling with a partner or young family.
• LGBTQIA+ Americans: 61% had considered or planned to move abroad in the next two years in The Harris Poll American Expats Survey (February 2025), the second-highest demographic group. Progressive countries with strong legal protections (Netherlands, Spain, Canada) are top destinations.
• Hispanic Americans: 61% had considered or planned to move abroad in the next two years in that survey. Mexico, Colombia, Spain, and Costa Rica are natural fits with cultural and family ties.
• Black Americans: 57% had considered or planned to move abroad in the next two years in that survey. Portugal, UK, France, and Ghana (through the Year of Return program) are popular destinations.
• Retirees (65+): Still a major group, now targeting countries where Social Security goes 2–3x further. Mexico, Costa Rica, Portugal, and Panama lead.

Why Are They Leaving?

The reasons are not monolithic. Select your own motivation below to see how many Americans share it and which countries match.

The Cost of Living Crisis

The single biggest driver — named as important by 86% of people considering a move in The Harris Poll American Expats Survey (February 2025) — is affordability. The Milliman Medical Index puts the total cost of healthcare for a typical family of four on employer coverage at $35,119 in 2025 (premiums paid by employer and employee plus out-of-pocket). Median asking rent across the 50 largest metros was $1,695 in July 2026 (Realtor.com); Zillow’s nationwide typical asking rent was $1,962. Childcare costs $15,000–$25,000/year per child.

Compare that to Portugal, where a couple can live well on $2,000–2,500/month including rent, food, healthcare, and entertainment. Or Mexico, where $1,500/month covers a comfortable lifestyle in a city like Mérida or Oaxaca. Or Spain, where public healthcare is free for residents and a liter of wine costs €3.

The salary gap is real — Portuguese wages are lower. But if you are working remotely on a US salary, the cost savings are extraordinary. A $75,000/year remote job in Portugal gives you a lifestyle that would require $150,000+ in a US city. Use the cost-of-living calculator to model your own scenario.

The Safety Factor

Half of Americans considering leaving cite personal safety. The US has 120 firearms per 100 people — the highest rate in the world. Gun Violence Archive recorded 503 mass shootings in 2024 and 407 in 2025, using its four-or-more-shot-victims definition. School shootings have become a routine fear for parents.

Gun-death comparisons depend on the definition and year used, but many prospective movers weigh countries’ gun laws and safety records when choosing a destination. For American parents, this can be enough to make the move.

The Healthcare Reckoning

Americans pay 2–3x more for healthcare than citizens of any other wealthy nation. The Milliman Medical Index puts the total cost of healthcare for a typical family of four on employer coverage at $35,119 in 2025 (premiums paid by employer and employee plus out-of-pocket). A hip replacement in the US costs $40,000–$60,000. In Spain: $7,000. In Costa Rica: $5,000.

About 90,000 US students are pursuing full degrees abroad (IIE Project Atlas, 2025). Nursing homes across the Mexican border offer elderly Americans care at a fraction of US prices. Medical tourism to Colombia, Thailand, and Mexico is exploding.

For a deep dive into healthcare costs abroad, see our healthcare rankings guide.

The FATCA Tax Trap

Here is something most Americans do not know until they move: the US is the only major country that taxes citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live. Even if you have not set foot in America for a decade, you must file US taxes every year. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) helps — it exempts the first ~$132,900 in 2026 — but the compliance burden is enormous.

FATCA (the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) makes it worse. Nearly 60% of American expats report that FATCA has made it difficult or impossible to open bank accounts abroad. Foreign banks see American clients as compliance liabilities and refuse to serve them. This is why 49% of existing expats are considering renouncing citizenship — not out of lack of patriotism, but because the tax system makes living abroad genuinely difficult.

Read the full breakdown in our expat tax guide.

The Top Destinations

The WSJ analysis and immigration data from 15 countries reveal clear patterns. Here is where Americans are actually going — and why.

How to Actually Make the Move

The gap between “I want to leave” and “I left” is enormous. Here is the practical roadmap, distilled from the experience of the 9.5 million Americans who have already done it.

Step 1: Pick Your Destination (Don’t Skip This)

Do not move somewhere because an Instagram reel made it look pretty. The country you choose should match your actual priorities — not a fantasy. Use the WhereNext personalization quiz to get a data-driven recommendation based on your budget, priorities, and lifestyle preferences. It takes 3 minutes and compares 95 countries across 7 dimensions.

Step 2: Do a Test Run

Spend 2–4 weeks in your target country before committing. Not as a tourist — live like a local. Rent an apartment, go to the grocery store, try the public transit, visit the hospital for a checkup. Countries feel very different when you are buying toilet paper at the local supermarket vs. sipping cocktails at the resort.

Step 3: Sort Out Your Visa

Every country has different rules. The most common pathways for Americans:

• Digital nomad visas (roughly 50 countries): Work remotely for a non-local employer. Portugal D8, Spain digital nomad visa, Thailand DTV. Usually 1–2 years, renewable.
• Passive income visas: For retirees or those with investment income. Portugal D7, Spain non-lucrative, Costa Rica rentista. Typically requires $1,500–3,000/month provable income.
• Employment visas: Get hired locally. Germany Blue Card, Netherlands Kennismigrant, Canada Express Entry. See our job market guide for details.
• Ancestry routes: If you have Italian, Irish, Polish, or other European ancestry, you may qualify for citizenship by descent; the Irish Foreign Births Register is the most-used ancestry path for Americans. See our citizenship by descent guide.
• Investment visas: Golden Visas (Portugal, Greece, UAE) require $250K–$500K+ in property or fund investments. Spain closed from April 3, 2025 (Ley Orgánica 1/2025). See golden visa guide.

Use the visa checker tool for a quick assessment of your eligibility for each country.

Step 4: Handle Your Finances

• Open a multi-currency account like Revolut before you leave. International banking is the #1 headache for expats, and FATCA makes it worse.
• Keep a US bank account (Schwab or Fidelity are expat-friendly). You will need it for Social Security, tax refunds, and dollar-denominated income.
• Find an expat tax specialist. Do not use TurboTax. You need someone who understands FEIE, foreign tax credits, FBAR, and FATCA reporting.
• Budget $5,000–15,000 for initial relocation costs (flights, visa fees, deposits, first/last month rent, health insurance).

Step 5: Build Your Safety Net

• Health insurance: Most countries require proof of coverage for visa applications. Options range from local public systems ($80–400/month) to international private plans ($200–800/month).
• Emergency fund: Keep 3–6 months of expenses accessible. Moving abroad has unexpected costs.
• Return plan: Even if you never use it, having a plan B reduces anxiety. Keep enough in your US account to fly home and stay for a month.

For the complete checklist, see our moving abroad checklist.

The Elephant in the Room: Should You Renounce?

The short answer: probably not, and definitely not right away. But it is worth understanding why so many expats are considering it.

The US is one of only two countries in the world (the other is Eritrea) that taxes citizens on worldwide income regardless of residency. FATCA requires every foreign bank to report American account holders to the IRS. The result: many foreign banks simply refuse to work with American clients.

The Certificate of Loss of Nationality fee is $450since April 13, 2026. An expatriation tax can apply if your net worth is at least $2 million or your five-year average annual net income tax exceeds $211,000; the 2026 mark-to-market exclusion is $910,000. Appointment waits vary by post, and the State Department publishes no global wait time, so check your embassy or consulate.

Before considering renunciation, most expats should:

1. Live abroad for at least 2–3 years to confirm it is permanent
2. Secure a second citizenship or permanent residency (you cannot be stateless)
3. Consult an expat tax attorney about the financial implications
4. Consider whether you may ever want to return to live or work in the US

The Bottom Line

The American exodus is real, it is accelerating, and it is no longer limited to the wealthy or the adventurous. Middle-income remote workers, retirees, families, and young professionals are all doing the math and reaching the same conclusion: the combination of cost, safety, healthcare, and quality of life is better in dozens of countries than it is in the United States.

That does not mean leaving is right for everyone. Moving abroad is hard. You will miss Thanksgiving, struggle with bureaucracy in languages you do not speak, and discover that nowhere is perfect. But for the 42% of Americans who are considering it, the practical barriers have never been lower. Remote work, digital nomad visas, and a global network of expat communities have made it possible for regular people to live abroad in a way that was once reserved for the ultra-wealthy.

The roughly 180,000 American arrivals counted in the Wall Street Journal analysis of 15 countries were not crazy. They were just the first to act on what millions are thinking. If you are one of those millions, start with the data: take the personalization quiz, compare countries with the comparison tool, and read the complete checklist. The world is more accessible than it has ever been. The question is no longer can you leave — it is should you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Reading

• Best Countries to Move to From the US in 2026 — Data Rankings
• How to Leave the US: Step-by-Step Guide
• Expat Taxes: What Americans Need to Know
• Cost of Living: US vs. Abroad
• Cheapest Countries to Live in 2026
• Best Countries for Healthcare in 2026
• Safest Countries to Move to in 2026
• Citizenship by Descent: Countries That Grant Passports by Ancestry
• Golden Visa Countries in 2026
• Best Countries to Find a Job Abroad in 2026
• 2026 Global Relocation Index: 95 Countries Ranked