Migration

Potential Net Migration Could Change Nations

Developed countries would swell, leaving developing countries relatively empty

November 6, 2009

Gallup’s Potential Net Migration Index (PNMI) suggests many developed countries would be overwhelmed and many developing countries would suffer tremendous losses of human capital if those who would like to move to another country permanently actually went.More ...

700 Million Worldwide Desire to Migrate Permanently

U.S. tops desired destination countries

November 2, 2009

If they could, about 700 million adults worldwide -- more than the entire adult population of North America and South America combined -- would like to move to another country permanently. The United States tops the list of most desired destination countries.More ...

One in Five College-Educated Chinese Wants to Emigrate

Top destination choices are U.S., South Korea, France

July 27, 2009

In China, 20% of college-educated Chinese say they would like to move permanently to another country if they had the opportunity. They are more likely than their less-educated counterparts to say they are underpaid for the work they do and less likely to say it is a good time to find a job in their area.More ...

Is All the Talent Leaving Latin America?

Perhaps, but the highly educated wish to stay

September 26, 2008

In Latin America, Gallup Polls reveal people who say they are more talented and more comfortable with computers are more likely to wish to migrate. However, those with a college degree or higher are less likely to report a desire to migrate compared with high school graduates.More ...

A Country’s Richest Citizens Report Greatest Desire to Migrate

Pattern holds in rich and poor countries

July 30, 2008

In rich and poor countries, Gallup Polls reveal a higher desire to migrate among those who are wealthier but also among those who say they are dissatisfied with their standard of living. This suggests that people who wish to migrate may not be as poor as is commonly thought.More ...

One-Quarter of World’s Population May Wish to Migrate

Common thread worldwide is a connection to others who live abroad

June 24, 2008

Across the globe, the desire to move abroad varies dramatically, from a high of 65% in Sierra Leone to a low of 1% in Saudi Arabia. However, a common thread that predicts people’s desire to migrate across the globe is having personal ties abroad.More ...

Ambition and Emigration Among Latin Americans

Those who are driven to succeed more likely to want to emigrate

February 4, 2008

Surveys of 20 Latin American countries in 2007 reveal that respondents who express ambition or entrepreneurial tendencies are more likely to want to emigrate than those who do not express these inclinations. Widespread lack of confidence in business and economic conditions may contribute to this tendency.More ...

Latin Americans’ Motives for Migration

Poverty, unemployment fail to provide complete picture

January 23, 2008

Poverty and unemployment do not always easily explain Latin Americans’ desire to emigrate. Those who wish to emigrate do not necessarily view their lives more negatively than those who do not want to move. And region wide, employed residents are as likely as those who are unemployed to say they’d like to emigrate.More ...

One in Four Latin Americans Wishes to Emigrate

United States named as preferred destination by 33%

January 21, 2008

Gallup Poll results from throughout Central and South America can help inform the highly charged immigration debate in the United States. Region wide, an average of only 24% of Latin Americans say they would move permanently to another country given the opportunity -- and of those, one-third (33%) say they would move to the United States.More ...

Central America Faces "Talent Flight"

Desire to emigrate not restricted to unskilled workers

February 14, 2007

Gallup World Poll data indicate a number of Central American countries are losing many skilled workers to emigration. The intention to emigrate is not necessarily explained by unemployment, suggesting many of those who wish to leave are looking for higher-quality jobs through which to realize their potential.More ...