Great Expectations: Americans Expats’ Quest for Freedom
4 min read
Nearly 70% of Americans who look to move abroad say they want adventure and personal growth. Almost half report a desire for more or different freedoms.
Expatriate resource specialist Expatsi published its annual Expatsi Test results following an exhaustive data-gathering mission over several years. The company’s remit is to help Americans find a new home abroad and offer solutions to their expatriate needs based on finances, weather, and cultural preferences.
The latest findings reveal that Americans’ prime reasons for leaving relate to political freedoms: same-sex relationships and abortion rights. In contrast, their objectives don’t reflect the average American’s political wishes, according to Statista, which lists inflation, healthcare, and immigration at the top.
Freedom Is Out There
Of the test participants’ responses, between 55% and 60% signaled that liberal values were most desired in a new home country. Is this statistic at odds with the world outside America, and how many suitable countries uphold such values? To understand this information, one must look toward regions where these values are commonplace in comparison to where Americans see themselves living.
Progressive Needs
The first nation to adopt same-sex marriages was the Netherlands in 2001. Since then, most European nations have followed suit. Nevertheless, very few countries across the world have legalized the process. The Pew Research Center shows that, but for a handful of South and Central American countries, only Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, and South Africa permit legal same-sex relationships. Most of Eastern Europe — but for Slovenia — still doesn’t recognize the right.
Places To Avoid
Human Rights Watch says that although there’s been a global trend toward accepting same-sex relationships, at least 67 countries outlaw the practice. The majority of African, Middle Eastern, and several Caribbean nations prohibit same-sex relations. Of course, of the 67 nations with punitive measures, none are common expat zones — but for one. The only punitive foreign migrant hotspot is the United Arab Emirates, which still carries a minimum six-month prison sentence.
Seeking Assurances
The next issue prospective American expats value most is abortion rights. Abortion has a checkered status across the world and looks different for various countries, with moderate to severe regulations. The Center for Reproductive Rights has an interactive map showing global abortion laws. Though mostly legal, there are still 16 countries where abortion is banned outright.
Europe Leads the Way
For those seeking full abortion-on-demand, most of Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia are off-limits. Furthermore, countries with complete abortion rights mostly fall into high-income brackets, save for parts of Central Asia, several South American nations, and Eastern Europe. The majority of European countries have full legal protections for reproductive autonomy.
Hit or Miss
As it stands, two-thirds of Expatsi survey takers will choose Western, Southern, and Northern Europe as their new homes. In parallel, as affluent lifestyles grow out of reach in the United States, the same might be said of most European countries, whose living costs increase each year. For example, the United Kingdom has the third-highest number of Americans living overseas after Mexico and Canada. It isn’t by any means a cheap destination, though its American cohort likely reflects the lure of an English-speaking populace.
The Grass Is Always Greener?
The Expatsi research comes amid fiscal anxiety in Europe. European Parliament News says 93% of Europeans polled in December had concerns about living cost hikes. Online bank N26 explored the cost of living in the 12 most popular European locations, scoring them based on several criteria. The ranking charts population density, the percentage of salary spent on rent and electricity, and inflation against wage increases in 2023.
Nordic Contentment
Denmark, the overall happiest nation in Europe, scored highest, gaining 9 in utility bill and rental overheads. In second place was the alpine banking state Switzerland, which scored similarly to the leader, followed by Belgium, the home of the E.U. headquarters. While the French-Flemish hybrid country scored a full 10 points in living expenses, it ranked second-last in population density. Most Americans would feel happy living in these countries, but such places may not meet many others’ financial needs.
Keeping a Tight Belt
Budgetary expectations are a deciding factor for any expatriate and could force many to choose countries at odds with their beliefs. The latest Expatsi figures reveal that eight percent of those surveyed cited budget expectations that would not pass the United States poverty line. Over 60% of lone emigrants don’t wish to spend more than $3,000 per month on living costs, which limits their choices. The figure jumps to $4,500 for couples, showing that moving abroad with a partner is cheaper.
Doing the Research
Moreover, few know what kind of visa they will get when they arrive in a new country. 35% of Expatsi respondents say they “don’t know” or are “not sure” what type of visa they hope to obtain. In addition, 20% say they will retire; digital nomads account for another 18%, while just over 20% expect skilled work to be their trump card. Clearly, there is much planning ahead for many who wish to leave the U.S.
Helping Expatriates Decide
The Expatsi Test will help overseas movers decide on the right place, and the latest data see Portugal and Spain emerge as two highly recommended countries. The good news is that even though there have been recent backlashes against foreign tourists and digital nomads in Spain, these Iberian nations cover most expats’ needs. Both have an average wage far below the United States, while each nation offers access to abortion and same-sex marriage.
American expats wishing to live more frugal and freer lives, or those hoping to experience a new slice of culture, may want to start investigating Southwestern Europe.
