Fewer People Want to Move to America Than in Nearly 20 Years — Where Do They Want to Go Instead?

Canada is the leading alternative to the US at 9%, while Germany, Australia, Spain, France, Japan, Italy, and Saudi Arabia each draw roughly 3% to 5% of would-be migrants. (Credit: AI-generated illustration: Google Gemini)

The United States is now the preferred destination of 15% of adults around the world who would like to emigrate permanently, according to Gallup World Poll data. That is the lowest share Gallup has recorded in almost two decades of asking the question.

Between 2007 and 2009, the US was the first choice of 24% of those wanting to emigrate. The figure stayed near 20% until 2016 and has not risen above 18% since 2017, although the US is still the most frequently named single destination.