Rising Migration Aspirations Among Young American Women: A Global Trend

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 says.

Aubrey's story is far from unique, according to a survey that made headlines earlier this month. New data from US analytics firm Gallup showed 40% of American women aged 15 to 44 say they would move abroad permanently if they had the opportunity - four times higher than a decade ago. The rise has also created the largest gender gap in migration aspirations that Gallup has ever recorded, with only 19% of younger men saying they want to leave the US.

These figures reflect aspirations rather than intentions, but they appear to highlight a growing number of younger American women are reassessing where they see their futures.

Although Aubrey's decision crystallised in the last few months, under the Trump presidency, the trend has been apparent for many years - starting at the end of the Obama administration, according to Gallup. Pressures have been building on women from the left and the right, says Nadia E Brown, professor of government and chair of the women's and gender studies at Georgetown University.

It's not just partisan politics, says Professor Brown. Women feel caught between expectations from both sides - traditional roles promoted by conservatives, and the pressures of progressive working life. Neither path guarantees autonomy or dignity, and that leaves women considering alternatives like moving abroad.

Economic reasons like student loans, the rising cost of healthcare and the cost of home ownership are also factors in shaping young women's decisions to forge a life in another country, she adds.

A recent survey from the Harris Poll - a US market research firm - suggested 40% of Americans have considered moving abroad, with many citing lower living costs as their main reason. The largest demographic groups thinking of moving were Gen Z and Millennials.