6 Reasons Millennials Are Leaving Their Home Countries

It's no secret that Millennials are on the move. According to the findings of a national survey conducted by Harris Poll, more than 55% of Millennials would consider international relocation. Many said they would do so closer to retirement age, while some believe they will make the move within the next five years.

In reality, the availability of opportunities to move abroad often hinges on the strength of your passport. Recently, during the pandemic, certain countries actively encouraged "digital nomads" to spend time within their borders. These were often nations heavily reliant on tourism for their economic growth. As COVID-19 took its toll on tourism, these countries introduced "working visas" to entice individuals from developed nations to come work and contribute to their struggling economies.

Conversely, countries like the United States and Canada were not extending similar "working visas" to people from developing nations. This underscores the privilege associated with the ability to pick up and relocate to almost any part of the world, a privilege that might be much more challenging for a Millennial from a place like Belize due to the high costs associated with visa applications to developed countries.

After speaking with many friends and peers who have expressed their desire to move abroad, here are six common reasons they’ve shared with us for wanting to take the leap;

More Opportunities

One of the primary reasons Millennials are moving abroad is because they believe there are more opportunities for them to pursue their careers. In many cases, Millennials feel they cannot find the jobs they want in their home countries. As a result, they are looking for opportunities in other countries where they believe they will have a better chance of finding work that is both fulfilling and pays well.

Better Work-Life Balance

Another reason that Millennials are moving abroad is that they believe they will be able to achieve a better work-life balance. In many cases, Millennials feel like they are working too much and don’t have enough time to enjoy their lives. They believe that by moving to another country, they will be able to find jobs that offer more flexible hours and allow them to have more free time to do things they love. And for Millennials that have moved abroad with a partner or spouse, many of them have noted that they are able to spend more time together than when they lived in their home countries.

To Experience New Cultures

Many Millennials also believe that moving abroad will allow them to experience new cultures. For many, this is one of the most appealing aspects of living in another country. Millennials want to be able to travel and see new places, and they believe that by living in another country, they will be able to do this more easily.

To Learn a New Language

Another reason that some Millennials are moving abroad is that they want to learn a new language. Being bilingual or multilingual is becoming increasingly important in today's global economy. By moving to another country, Millennials will be able to immerse themselves in a new language and learn it more quickly and effectively than if they were taking classes.

To Save Money

In some cases, Millennials are also moving abroad because they believe it will be cheaper for them to live in another country. In many developed countries, the cost of living is relatively high, while in other countries, it is much lower. As a result, some Millennials believe that by moving to a less developed country, they will be able to save money on their living expenses.

To Get Away from Their Home Country

Finally, some Millennials are simply moving abroad because they want to get away from their home countries. In some cases, this may be due to political reasons, weather preferences, or they are unhappy with their home countries’ direction. Whatever the reason, these Millennials believe that by moving to another country, they can start fresh and have a better life overall.

It’s evident that Millennials are increasingly drawn to the idea of moving abroad for many reasons. These six reasons highlight the diversity of motivations and opportunities that inspire Millennials to take the bold step of leaving their home countries to pursue a better life abroad.