Photo source: Crown Relocations
Americans who were dissatisfied with the results of the recent U.S. election expressed their frustration online, as there was a notable increase in searches related to relocating abroad after the presidential race concluded.
Data from Google Trends indicated that queries for terms like “leaving the country” and “how to move to …” surged significantly after Donald Trump was elected the 47th president of the nation.
Specifically, searches for “how to move to Canada” reached their highest point on November 6, with interest particularly pronounced in Democratic-leaning states such as Vermont, Maine, Oregon, and Washington.
In addition, inquiries about “can I move to another country” were most prevalent in key swing states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, along with Oregon, Minnesota, and Indiana.
A survey conducted earlier this month revealed that 21% of Americans would contemplate relocating abroad if their chosen candidate did not win.
Among those surveyed, nearly 60% indicated they were “very unlikely” to move, while only 2.6% expressed they were “very likely” to make such a drastic change.
Preferred Destinations
Canada emerged as the top choice for Americans considering relocation, with one in five selecting it as their desired destination following the election results.
The United Kingdom ranked second on the list, followed by Japan at third. Japan is known for being one of the most ethnically homogeneous and economically advanced nations globally, but it is beginning to open its doors to foreign residents due to demographic changes linked to an ageing population and a declining workforce.
Earlier this year, Japan introduced a “Digital Nomad” visa that permits eligible foreigners to stay in the country for up to six months. This program is available for individuals working for non-Japanese companies who earn at least 10 million Japanese yen annually (approximately NZD$108,867).
Here are the countries where respondents showed interest in moving if their preferred candidate lost:
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- Australia
- Italy
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- Switzerland
- Spain
- France
- Sweden
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Costa Rica
- Mexico
South Korea also appeared on the list at No. 21, followed by the Philippines at No. 22 and Thailand at No. 23.
Motivations for Moving Abroad
Among those interested in relocating overseas, “culture” was identified as the primary motivation, followed by job opportunities and healthcare access.
Taxes and education were mentioned by approximately 3% of participants as factors influencing their decision to move abroad after an electoral loss.
The survey gathered responses from over 4,000 Americans aged 18 to 65 regarding their thoughts on emigrating following the outcome of the 2024 U.S. Presidential election.