Record Numbers of Americans Living Abroad

The rate at which American citizens are leaving the US has risen sharply over the past five years to reach record numbers today.

Expatriate Americans now number around 4 million and yet the exodus does not seem to be slowing down; and according to some who have already left their homeland, the numbers will continue to rise.

But what is it that is leading more Americans than ever to turn their back on the US and establish a new life overseas?

Opinion on this matter is divided. 

It seems that there are those who are seeking the reality of a dream life abroad personified by some 105,000 Americans living in the Philippines for example.  There are those who have relocated for employment and career opportunities like the 224,000 who now reside in the UK, and there are those who are so dissatisfied with the political climate in American right now personified by the 688,000 Americans living in Canada.

But in truth, Americans have always ventured further afield than their own back yard, whether in search of their own past or in search of a bright new future; they are a wealthy nation able to afford international travel, and a nation with a strong and globally reaching economy who can afford to embrace globalisation and to send employees abroad to work.  Add to this the fact that throughout history some Americans have left their country of birth to escape restrictive governmental interference, the threat of conscription, the memories of the viciousness of war and you have ingrained in the citizens of the US a desire to experience different cultures and to explore different nations.

Let’s examine the two popular but conflicting expert opinions as to why the numbers of those leaving US soil have reached record levels.

On the positive side - the numbers of migrants leaving the US in search of a brand new life abroad have been increasing steadily since around 1910 as a result of more wealth, better transport links and an American’s natural desire to travel and explore.  Therefore it is not now a case of all 4 million American expatriates having fallen out of love with America - some have simply fallen in love with a foreigner, a country, a lifestyle, some left with the intention of returning but established roots elsewhere.  And most American expatriates are able to embrace their new country whilst retaining their nationality; after all, America’s influence is almost global because American citizens never truly leave their nation behind! 

On the negative side - there is a growing feeling of disillusionment prevalent in the US today, and as this feeling intensifies so the numbers of citizens seeking out an overseas haven away from the glare of big brother and away from the aggressive and conservative political situation increases.  Those leaving today are leaving for the same reasons as the ‘Lost Generation’ left back in 1918.  Following the end of the First World War record numbers of Americans began leaving the US to escape their nation’s restrictions, the horrors of war and America’s ultra conservatism…between 1910 and 1920 the numbers of US citizens who fled abroad more than doubled from 55,608 in 1910 to 117,238 by 1920…today that figure now stands at 4 million.

The truth about why more Americans than ever now live overseas is buried right in the middle of these two opinions - there are those Americans who feel they had to leave to escape and there are those who wanted to leave and knew they were free to do so. 

And when you speak to American’s abroad it is clear that few if any have rejected their roots, few if any will hide their nationality, their accent or their past, and why should they?  To be an American means you come from a country that upholds democracy, freedom of speech, justice and equality and that means to be an American you are free to accept or reject your home country for whatever reason you choose.