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 states.
According to a survey from Gallup, 40% of American women aged 15 to 44 express a desire to move abroad permanently, a striking increase from a decade ago. This trend has resulted in the largest gender gap in migration aspirations ever recorded; only 19% of younger men have similar desires.
Although the data reflects aspirations rather than concrete plans, it indicates a growing reassessment among young American women regarding their futures.
The shift has been evident even before recent political shifts, igniting long-standing sentiments among women caught between traditional roles and progressive expectations. Professor Nadia E. Brown from Georgetown University notes, Neither path guarantees autonomy or dignity, leaving women considering alternatives like moving abroad. Economic factors, such as rising student loan debt and healthcare costs, are contributing to this movement as well.
Recent surveys suggest that a significant portion of Americans are considering emigration for reasons including lower living costs, with the youngest demographic groups—Gen Z and Millennials—leading this trend.
Kaitlin, a 31-year-old who moved from the U.S. to Portugal four years ago, expresses her dissatisfaction with the American work-life balance. I wanted to live somewhere with a different pace, different cultures, and learn a new language. Now working remotely, she says her new life has helped her reclaim her sense of self.
Alyssa, who left Florida for Uruguay earlier this year, found her move deeply tied to rising political tensions and deteriorating conditions for women. Following the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, she felt an urgent need to escape a nation where women's rights seemed increasingly at risk.
The growing distrust in key U.S. institutions has left many young women feeling disillusioned, prompting further contemplation of emigration. With many citing healthcare access and climate concerns as pivotal factors, there is a noticeable urgency among women to seek better environments for living.
As this trend emerges, the motivations are increasingly complex and interconnected, illustrating broader issues that women face globally. Access to better social systems in other countries is making the decision to seek a future abroad even more appealing.
