Desire to Move Permanently to U.S. at New Low
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
Fewer people worldwide want to move to the US, now at a record low 15%.
Gallup's 2025 survey of 144,000 adults in 140 countries shows that 15% of would-be migrants name the U.S. as their top destination, down from 24% in 2007-2009. While the U.S. remains the most desired destination overall, desire to migrate there fell sharply in Latin America (28% from 33%) and sub-Saharan Africa. Global desire to migrate dropped to 15%, a decade low. Meanwhile, desire to leave the U.S. and Canada remains near record highs.
What commenters are saying
Commenters generally accept the finding but interpret it differently. Some argue that lower U.S. desirability reflects policy shifts and a declining global image, while others note the U.S. still tops the list, suggesting it remains attractive despite the drop. Specific points include that the decline is concentrated in regions with improving local economies, and that H1B expansion is controversial, with some calling it a bad idea hurting American workers.