Events since 2020 – a pandemic wreaking havoc on people’s everyday lives, inflation forcing people to stretch their dollar as much as possible, a war intensifying a global food crisis – have started many people thinking about where life can be better. Some would be fleeing poverty, lack of job opportunities, gang violence, and/or war in their native lands. Others might simply be looking for such amenities as a mild climate, a reliable health care system, a stable economy, and locals with a welcoming mindset. (These are the countries young people most want to leave.)
To identify the countries to which the most young people would like to relocate if they were able, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the Potential Net Migration Index published by the analytics and international polling company Gallup. Among other metrics, the index measures how much a country’s population would change if everyone between the ages of 15 and 29 who wanted to move there from another country actually were able to do so. Population statistics for 2011 and 2021 are from the World Bank.
Gallup’s migration indexes are based on responses to the following questions:
Ideally, if you had the opportunity, would you like to move permanently to another country, or would you prefer to continue living in this country? (If “would like to move permanently to another country”) To which country would you like to move? [Open-ended, one response allowed].
Click here to see where young people want to relocate the most, according to data
The majority of countries on the list, perhaps unsurprisingly, are considered some of the world’s safest places to live. The nations here also have a reputation for having a consistently low unemployment rate even through adversities. Some have a typical work week of fewer than 35 hours. (Even U.S. residents might be tempted by some of these factors. These are the 15 countries Americans are moving to the most.)
Source: monkeybusinessimages / iStock via Getty Images
19. United States of America
> Net pop. growth, if young people who want to move here actually did so: 112.0%
> Population, 2021: 331,893,745 — +6.5% from 2011
> Population, 2011: 311,583,481
[in-text-ad]
Source: GCShutter / E+ via Getty Images
18. Saudi Arabia
> Net pop. growth, if young people who want to move here actually did so: 114.0%
> Population, 2021: 35,950,396 — +19.2% from 2011
> Population, 2011: 30,150,945
Source: SolStock / E+ via Getty Images
17. United Kingdom
> Net pop. growth, if young people who want to move here actually did so: 133.0%
> Population, 2021 (UK): 67,326,569 — +6.4% from 2011
> Population, 2011 (UK): 63,258,810
Source: Nikada / iStock via Getty Images
16. Germany
> Net pop. growth, if young people who want to move here actually did so: 136.0%
> Population, 2021: 83,196,078 — +3.6% from 2011
> Population, 2011: 80,274,983
[in-text-ad-2]
15. Ireland
> Net pop. growth, if young people who want to move here actually did so: 159.0%
> Population, 2021: 5,033,165 — +9.9% from 2011
> Population, 2011: 4,580,084
Source: Nikada / E+ via Getty Images
14. France
> Net pop. growth, if young people who want to move here actually did so: 170.0%
> Population, 2021: 67,749,632 — +3.7% from 2011
> Population, 2011: 65,345,233
[in-text-ad]
Source: Kateryna Mashkevych / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
13. Bhutan
> Net pop. growth, if young people who want to move here actually did so: 172.0%
> Population, 2021: 777,486 — +9.0% from 2011
> Population, 2011: 713,331
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Marcus Lindstrom / E+ via Getty Images
12. Sweden
> Net pop. growth, if young people who want to move here actually did so: 177.0%
> Population, 2021: 10,415,811 — +10.2% from 2011
> Population, 2011: 9,449,213
Source: Oleh_Slobodeniuk / E+ via Getty Images
11. Norway
> Net pop. growth, if young people who want to move here actually did so: 187.0%
> Population, 2021: 5,408,320 — +9.2% from 2011
> Population, 2011: 4,953,088
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: georgeclerk / E+ via Getty Images
10. New Zealand
> Net pop. growth, if young people who want to move here actually did so: 222.0%
> Population, 2021: 5,122,600 — +16.8% from 2011
> Population, 2011: 4,384,000
Source: Massonstock / iStock via Getty Images
9. Luxembourg
> Net pop. growth, if young people who want to move here actually did so: 237.0%
> Population, 2021: 640,064 — +23.5% from 2011
> Population, 2011: 518,347
[in-text-ad]
Source: tunart / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
8. Northern Cyprus
> Net pop. growth, if young people who want to move here actually did so: 255.0%
> Population, 2021 (Cyprus): 1,244,188 — +8.7% from 2011
> Population, 2011 (Cyprus): 1,145,086
Source: eli_asenova / E+ via Getty Images
7. United Arab Emirates
> Net pop. growth, if young people who want to move here actually did so: 330.0%
> Population, 2021: 9,365,145 — +9.2% from 2011
> Population, 2011: 8,575,205
Source: LSOphoto / iStock via Getty Images
6. Canada
> Net pop. growth, if young people who want to move here actually did so: 343.0%
> Population, 2021: 38,246,108 — +11.4% from 2011
> Population, 2011: 34,339,328
[in-text-ad-2]
Source: Lukas Bischoff / iStock via Getty Images
5. Kuwait
> Net pop. growth, if young people who want to move here actually did so: 349.0%
> Population, 2021: 4,250,114 — +35.2% from 2011
> Population, 2011: 3,143,825
Source: Oleh_Slobodeniuk / E+ via Getty Images
4. Switzerland
> Net pop. growth, if young people who want to move here actually did so: 372.0%
> Population, 2021: 8,703,405 — +10.0% from 2011
> Population, 2011: 7,912,398
[in-text-ad]
Source: Drazen_ / E+ via Getty Images
3. Australia
> Net pop. growth, if young people who want to move here actually did so: 378.0%
> Population, 2021: 25,688,079 — +15.0% from 2011
> Population, 2011: 22,340,024
Source: lechatnoir / E+ via Getty Images
2. Singapore
> Net pop. growth, if young people who want to move here actually did so: 410.0%
> Population, 2021: 5,453,566 — +5.2% from 2011
> Population, 2011: 5,183,688
Source: Anastasiia Shavshyna / E+ via Getty Images
1. Iceland
> Net pop. growth, if young people who want to move here actually did so: 451.0%
> Population, 2021: 372,520 — +16.8% from 2011
> Population, 2011: 319,014
Sponsored: Want to Retire Early? Here’s a Great First Step
Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?
Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
