As many as 40% of American women aged 15 to 44 say they would move abroad permanently if given the chance, according to a Gallup poll. This represents a fourfold increase since 2014, while the figure for young men remains steady at around 19%, creating the widest gender divide ever recorded in any country surveyed.
Rising Trend Among American Women
Jen Barnett, co-founder of the relocation company Expatsi, noticed a surge in interest after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Women make up about two-thirds of her clients. “If it weren’t for young women, this business wouldn’t exist,” she said. Since Donald Trump’s re-election in November 2024, inquiries have skyrocketed, with politics becoming the primary motivation.
Relocation firms across Europe report record numbers of Americans seeking visas. Irish passport applications hit a decade high in early 2024, and long-stay visa requests to France rose. The number of Americans applying for British citizenship surged to its highest since record-keeping began in 2004.
Personal Stories: Why Women Leave
The Guardian spoke to six women who moved or plan to move abroad. Common reasons include gun violence, work-life balance, and political turmoil.
Emily Burt: Safety and Disillusionment
Emily Burt, 32, moved to Ecuador with her family after her son started kindergarten in Texas. Active shooter drills added stress to an already exhausting balancing act. “It has become harder and harder to exist as a woman in the US,” she said. She cited disrespectful public discourse and a sense that progress has reversed.
Jenelle Jones: Politics as Fuel
Jenelle Jones, 39, left Tennessee for Albania. “Everybody’s like, ‘It’s because of Trump, right?’ It’s yes and no,” she said. She sought walkable cities and public transport, but politics confirmed her decision. “The US has always had racism and classism, but it’s never been so in-your-face.”
Courtney Schuyler: Stress of Marginalization
Courtney Schuyler, 43, moved with her wife from Florida to Madrid. “Walking around when you know you might not be protected… there’s always stress,” she said. The move felt like “taking a deep breath again,” though she empathizes with those left behind.
Alexandra Blydenburgh: Visa Challenges
Alexandra Blydenburgh, 27, has lived in multiple European countries. “Being American abroad is an endless cycle of trying to get a visa,” she said. Lower salaries are a trade-off, but she sees little hope for change in the US. “In my lifetime, I don’t see the US having free healthcare or six weeks of paid vacation.”
Industry Growth and Future Outlook
Barnett’s Expatsi is part of a growing industry, including communities like She Hit Refresh and Blaxit Global. “We would rather have democracy than the business,” she said, “but we will help as many Americans as we can.” The trend shows no signs of reversing as political climate remains tense.
