Rise of Young American Women Considering Life Abroad

Wed Dec 03 2025 04:55:40 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A growing trend sees more young women in the U.S. aspiring to relocate overseas, driven by political, social, and economic pressures as they seek safer and more balanced lifestyles.

A survey by Gallup reveals that 40% of American women aged 15 to 44 would consider permanently moving abroad, a significant increase compared to a decade ago. Emerging concerns related to political instability, social rights, economic pressures, climate change, and safety have prompted many young women to reassess their futures and seek more favorable conditions overseas. Personal anecdotes illustrate how women are making this choice for various reasons, from workplace dissatisfaction to fears over personal safety and women's rights.

Aubrey and her wife are preparing to leave the United States for Costa Rica in January - a decision they haven't taken lightly, after building a life as homeowners in upstate New York.

Aubrey says months of unease about the political climate in the United States - from debates over LGBTQ rights to concerns about basic safety - finally tipped them into making a plan to leave.

We're very concerned about the legality of our relationship and the overall tone of safety, not only as members of the LGBTQ community but also as women entirely, she says.

Aubrey's story is far from unique, according to a survey that made headlines earlier this month. New data from US analytics firm Gallup showed 40% of American women aged 15 to 44 say they would move abroad permanently if they had the opportunity - four times higher than a decade ago. The rise has also created the largest gender gap in migration aspirations that Gallup has ever recorded, with only 19% of younger men saying they want to leave the US.

These figures reflect aspirations rather than intentions, but appear to highlight a growing number of younger American women reassessing their futures.

Although Aubrey's decision crystallized in the last few months, under the Trump presidency, the trend has been apparent for many years - starting at the end of the Obama administration, according to Gallup. Pressures have been building on women from the left and right, claims Nadia E Brown, a government professor and chair of women's studies at Georgetown University.

It's not just partisan politics, says Professor Brown. Women feel caught between expectations from both sides - traditional roles promoted by conservatives, and the pressures of progressive working life. Neither path guarantees autonomy or dignity, and that leaves women considering alternatives like moving abroad.

Economic reasons like student loans, the rising cost of healthcare and the cost of home ownership are also factors shaping young women's decisions to forge a life in another country, she adds.

A recent survey from the Harris Poll suggested 40% of Americans have considered moving abroad, citing lower living costs as their main reason. The largest demographic groups thinking of moving were Gen Z and Millennials.

Kaitlin, 31, who moved to Portugal four years ago, explains that a lack of work-life balance drove her to leave the US as she sought a life with a different pace and culture.

For Alyssa, a 34-year-old mother who recently relocated to Uruguay, political and social pressures were significant in her decision to leave, particularly following Roe v. Wade's reversal. I felt like women's rights were being stripped away in real time, she said. Once Trump took office again, we knew we weren't doing this a second time.

Echoing a global trend, many young American women now view life abroad as a viable option for a better future, highlighting a broader narrative of dissatisfaction with current domestic conditions.