More American citizens are moving to Mexico than any other country. With 1.6 million Americans residing there in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of State, Mexico is already the top country for American expats. Over 16,000 Americans emigrated across our southern border in 2021, outnumbering moves to any other country – securing Mexico’s place at the top of our list of the countries with the most American expats.
To determine the countries Americans are moving to, 24/7 Tempo consulted a 2022 study called Where Americans are Actually Moving Abroad by HireAHelper.com, a moving company that connects clients to local professional movers. The study utilized United Nations international migrant stock data as well as immigration statistics published by each country to find the 15 most common destinations for Americans moving abroad.
Although Canada follows Mexico as the country with the second highest population of U.S. citizens, our northern neighbor has lagged behind both Mexico and the U.K. as a destination for Americans for the last five years. In 2021, 14,626 Americans moved to the U.K., while only 11,955 headed north.
Mexico and Canada aside, European countries dominate the list of the top 15 destinations for Americans moving abroad, with Portugal seeing the largest increase (303 percent) from 2017 to 2021. Other English-speaking countries including Australia and New Zealand also made the list, as did Costa Rica, Israel, Japan, and South Korea.
Some of the most common reasons that U.S. citizens choose to live in other countries involve career opportunities, research positions, and romantic relationships. Other people move overseas because another country offers cheaper health care or a higher standard of living. Indeed, some of the top destinations are countries that boast cities with the best work-life balance in the world.
15. Costa Rica
> Moves in 2021: 1,604
> Moves in 2020: 860
> Moves in 2017: 1,497
> Change in moves, 2017-2021: 7% – the smallest increase
> Change in moves, 2019-2021: 47% – the 3rd biggest increase
> American expats in Costa Rica: 70,000
14. New Zealand
> Moves in 2021: 1,849
> Moves in 2020: 1,676
> Moves in 2017: 1,086
> Change in moves, 2017-2021: 70% – the 3rd biggest increase
> Change in moves, 2019-2021: 78% – the 2nd biggest increase
> American expats in New Zealand: 36,000
13. Portugal
> Moves in 2021: 2,475
> Moves in 2020: 1,115
> Moves in 2017: 614
> Change in moves, 2017-2021: 303% – the biggest increase
> Change in moves, 2019-2021: 122% – the biggest increase
> American expats in Portugal: 7,000
12. Japan
> Moves in 2021: 2,983
> Moves in 2020: 4,335
> Moves in 2017: 5,972
> Change in moves, 2017-2021: -50% – the biggest decrease
> Change in moves, 2019-2021: -53% – the biggest decrease
> American expats in Japan: 58,000
11. Israel
> Moves in 2021: 3,480
> Moves in 2020: 2,296
> Moves in 2017: 2,682
> Change in moves, 2017-2021: 30% – the 3rd smallest increase
> Change in moves, 2019-2021: 40% – the 4th biggest increase
> American expats in Israel: 77,000
10. Italy
> Moves in 2021: 4,629
> Moves in 2020: 3,841
> Moves in 2017: 8,234
> Change in moves, 2017-2021: -44% – the 3rd biggest decrease
> Change in moves, 2019-2021: -41% – the 2nd biggest decrease
> American expats in Italy: 54,000
9. South Korea
> Moves in 2021: 4,864
> Moves in 2020: 5,824
> Moves in 2017: 8,690
> Change in moves, 2017-2021: -44% – the 2nd biggest decrease
> Change in moves, 2019-2021: -21% – the 2nd smallest decrease
> American expats in South Korea: 68,000
8. Ireland
> Moves in 2021: 4,900
> Moves in 2020: 5,500
> Moves in 2017: 5,400
> Change in moves, 2017-2021: -9% – the 2nd smallest decrease
> Change in moves, 2019-2021: -21% – the 3rd smallest decrease
> American expats in Ireland: N/A
7. France
> Moves in 2021: 6,398
> Moves in 2020: 5,672
> Moves in 2017: 6,920
> Change in moves, 2017-2021: -8% – the smallest decrease
> Change in moves, 2019-2021: -28% – the 3rd biggest decrease
> American expats in France: 62,000
6. Germany
> Moves in 2021: 6,900
> Moves in 2020: 2,870
> Moves in 2017: 11,060
> Change in moves, 2017-2021: -38% – the 4th biggest decrease
> Change in moves, 2019-2021: -24% – the 4th biggest decrease
> American expats in Germany: 153,000
5. Spain
> Moves in 2021: 7,173
> Moves in 2020: 6,427
> Moves in 2017: 8,260
> Change in moves, 2017-2021: -13% – the 3rd smallest decrease
> Change in moves, 2019-2021: 1% – the smallest increase
> American expats in Spain: 57,000
4. Australia
> Moves in 2021: 7,948
> Moves in 2020: 6,872
> Moves in 2017: 2,298
> Change in moves, 2017-2021: 246% – the 2nd biggest increase
> Change in moves, 2019-2021: 29% – the 3rd smallest increase
> American expats in Australia: 117,000
3. Canada
> Moves in 2021: 11,955
> Moves in 2020: 6,380
> Moves in 2017: 9,140
> Change in moves, 2017-2021: 31% – the 4th biggest increase
> Change in moves, 2019-2021: 11% – the 2nd smallest increase
> American expats in Canada: 273,000
2. United Kingdom
> Moves in 2021: 14,626
> Moves in 2020: 9,404
> Moves in 2017: 18,264
> Change in moves, 2017-2021: -20% – the 4th smallest decrease
> Change in moves, 2019-2021: -20% – the smallest decrease
> American expats in UK: 171,000
1. Mexico
> Moves in 2021: 16,022
> Moves in 2020: 10,705
> Moves in 2017: 13,111
> Change in moves, 2017-2021: 22% – the 2nd smallest increase
> Change in moves, 2019-2021: 38% – the 4th smallest increase
> American expats in Mexico: 799,000