The latest report from Gallup presents a troubling statistic: 40% of American women aged 15 to 44 would permanently leave the United States if given the chance. This stands in stark contrast to just 19% of men in the same age group who share this intention. The data, gathered between June and July 2025, underscores a deepening gender divide on the fundamental desire to call a place home.
The survey captures a record-high yearning to migrate among young women, marking a 21-point gender gap labeled by Gallup as the widest recorded on this issue. Responses online have been swift, with many expressing disbelief at the gravity of the findings. A common refrain has emerged, with some calling the figures “insane.”
The inclination of young women to depart did not come about overnight. Just a decade ago, only 10% stated they would leave if possible. Now, that figure has quadrupled. In contrast, young men have seen a much smaller increase in their desire to emigrate—a difference highlighting a significant shift in sentiment among women. For older men, the desire to leave remains unusually low.
Gallup’s report identifies Canada as the top destination for those wishing to move abroad, with 11% seeking to cross the northern border. Other attractive locations include New Zealand, Italy, and Japan. However, these geographic preferences are overshadowed by deeper political dissatisfaction. The desire to leave is not simply about finding a new place to live; it reflects a growing distrust in U.S. institutions.
Julie Ray, managing editor for world news at Gallup, noted that the rising numbers reflect years of increasing political strife. “We’ve seen this intense, intense polarization,” she remarked, suggesting that this division is shaping fundamental life choices in unprecedented ways.
This sentiment began to escalate following the election of Donald Trump in 2016, a turning point when the divide based on political opinion noticeably widened. Between 2008 and 2016, migration intentions remained stable, but the response changed dramatically by 2017. By 2025, during Trump’s second term, the gap between those who approved and disapproved of national leadership reached 25 percentage points, the highest on record.
Younger women, in particular, are grappling with these realities. Their allegiance to the Democratic Party and disappointment in changes to key legal issues—particularly the Supreme Court’s decision reversing Roe v. Wade—are weighing heavily on their minds. According to Gallup, confidence in the Supreme Court for younger women plummeted from 55% in 2015 to just 32% by 2025.
This erosion of trust doesn’t stop at the judiciary. Overall, Gallup’s larger confidence index reveals disillusionment among young women with numerous vital American institutions. They express diminished faith in Congress, the presidency, and the media, reflecting ongoing cultural and political battles that engage the national consciousness.
While a desire to emigrate is significant, it’s essential to note that wanting to leave does not equate to actually doing so. Many Americans expressing this wish may find it challenging to navigate the legal and financial hurdles necessary for relocation. However, the mere existence of these sentiments carries implications that go beyond individual choices; they illuminate a disconnect among politically aware younger women who feel alienated from the nation’s trajectory.
The report further analyzes differences in how men and women process feelings of national discontent. Although economic concerns resonate broadly, young men are less likely to cite government leadership as a motive for considering emigration. Conversely, women’s perspectives, particularly those leaning left, are heavily influenced by government actions and judicial outcomes.
The survey’s methodology, which included 1,000 Americans aged 15 and older, provides a sound statistical basis for understanding these sentiments, with a margin of error of ±4.4%. This data captures shifts in migration desires and layers political developments and gender dynamics over time.
When comparing international sentiments, Canada’s numbers reveal interesting contrasts. In 2025, only 16% of Canadians expressed a desire to leave, a decline that coincides with increasing patriotic feelings in the country. Meanwhile, the former trend of looking south for migration has waned among Canadians, while the opposite has become true for American young women.
Julie Ray emphasizes the distinctiveness of the reported discontent levels compared to peer nations. “This is actually a higher percentage than we’ve seen in a lot of years,” she pointed out. The political breakdown of desires to emigrate offers clearer context: 29% of Americans disapproving of national leadership contemplate leaving, compared to a mere 4% of those aligned with current leadership.
This emerging trend signals potential civic disengagement, especially among younger women. Should their dissatisfaction remain unaddressed by necessary reforms or measures to rebuild trust, it could result in lower voter turnout and engagement in civic life in subsequent elections.
Currently, there have been no significant policy initiatives aimed at addressing this growing divide. Yet, if discontent among young women persists, it could greatly influence discussions revolving around healthcare, reproductive rights, and legal reforms in the years to come. Although the gap between desire and action remains wide, this dissatisfaction, now quantifiable, must be recognized as a powerful force in shaping future societal and political landscapes.
This data from Gallup shows that perceptions of the American dream are in flux. For an increasing number of young women, that dream appears to lie beyond the borders of the United States.
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