Reasons for the Exodus: Why People Are Moving Out of the United States

"According to Washington Post," The number of people moving out of the United States is on the rise. In fact, nearly 22 million Americans have moved to other countries since 2020. So, what’s driving this trend? Below, we explore some of the most common reasons why people are leaving the United States.

Economic Concerns

One of the biggest reasons for leaving the United States is economic concerns. Economic concerns in the United States as compared to other developed countries are an important indicator of social mobility and economic prosperity. The definition of economic concerns is broad, encompassing aspects such as living wage and social equality, educational opportunities, and access to health care. In recent years, wages have remained stagnant while the cost of living, according to NPR — especially the cost of housing — has continued to climb. This has made it difficult for many people, especially young people, to make ends meet. For those who are struggling economically, relocating to a country with lower costs and greater economic opportunities can be a life-changing decision.

This topic is applicable to everyday life in many ways - for example, some families now require two full-time incomes to sustain their lifestyles due to increasing living costs.

Additionally, those with lower incomes may be unable to advance social mobility without further education or training due to their current financial circumstances. In summary, these issues not only influence our economy but also affect how we live our day-to-day lives.

Political Instability

In recent years, the United States has become increasingly politically polarized. This political divide has led to a great deal of political instability, which many people find concerning.

Political instability has been defined as the lack of social tolerance and the risk of social unrest. This is an especially notable problem in the United States, where social mobility has been in decline since the 1990s per OECD. Political instability can affect our daily lives in a number of ways, from limiting economic opportunities for individuals to increasing social unrest.

For example, some believe that persistent poverty due to political instability contributes to issues like crime, homelessness, and inadequate access to education or health care. Moreover, social unrest or violence can disrupt our daily routines and force us to alter the way we move around our communities. Ultimately, resolving political instability can lead to greater social stability and provide a path to improved economic outcomes for all citizens.

For those who want to live in a stable and peaceful country, relocating to another country can be an attractive option.

Photo by Ross Sokolovski on Unsplash

Attempting to Flee Gun Violence

According to a study conducted by Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, there have been 1,624 mass shootings in the United States since 2013. Between 2009- 2020 there have been over 1360 people were killed and 940 were wounded in mass shootings. In 56 percent of these shootings, the shooter was showing dangerous mental instability. This averages out to more than one mass shooting per day.

For those who want to live in a country with stricter gun laws and lower rates of gun violence, moving out of the United States may be the best option.

Income Inequality

Income inequality is a term that describes the uneven distribution of social and economic wealth throughout a population. Specifically, income inequality in the United States has been on the rise for over two decades when compared to other developed nations.

This not only affects an individual’s life prospects, but also has an array of social implications such as increased crime rates, insufficient access to affordable housing, and major political polarization. These effects simply serve to further widen the income gap between social classes, forming a circular problem.

Income inequality in the United States has reached concerning levels compared to other developed countries. According to a recent report by OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), the gaps between social classes are wider than ever before. This means that social mobility within each class is much more difficult for individuals now than it used to be.

Although income inequality refers specifically to financial disparity, social classes tend to determine access to educational and employment opportunities, thus influencing many other aspects of everyday living, from the cost of housing to what neighborhoods we can afford or feel safe living in. Consequently, it stands to reason that this gap could affect our daily lives in ways far beyond the monetary realm.

Income inequality has been on the rise in the United States for decades. According to data from the World Bank, the GINI index — which measures income inequality — rose from 0.39 in 1980 to 0.47 in 2016. The high level of income inequality can make it difficult for people of lower socioeconomic status to get ahead, which may drive them to leave the United States in search of greener pastures.

Lack of Social Mobility

The United States ranks poorly when it comes to social mobility — the ability for people to move up the socioeconomic ladder. Data from Wikipedia states, "America ranks 27th out of 33 developed countries when it comes to social mobility."

According to the World Bank, social mobility is defined as "the ability of individuals and households to move up and down the social ladder". In a global comparison of social mobility, the United States ranks significantly lower than other developed countries. This means that citizens in America have fewer opportunities available to them for upward economic and social advancement. This lack of social mobility has a direct impact on our daily lives, from educational inequity to unequal healthcare access.

As a result, social inequality persists across various levels of society despite living in one of the world's wealthiest economies. In conclusion, social mobility is a multifaceted concept essential for understanding the realities faced by many people around the world today.

This lack of opportunity can be discouraging for many people and may lead them to look for opportunities elsewhere.

There are many reasons why people are choosing to move out of the United States. Some cite economic concerns while others point to political instability or gun violence.

Whatever the reason may be, it’s clear that an increasing number of people are choosing to leave America in search of a better life in other places.

Photo by Evangeline Shaw on Unsplash