How badly do Mississippi folks want to move abroad? Here’s what new study finds
Have you ever imagined what life might look like if you packed up and moved abroad?
The number of Americans expatriating surged in early 2025, according to a report by CS Global Partners, a government advisory and marketing firm based in London. But Mississippians are happier staying put, according to a recent report that looked at Google Trends data.
The Magnolia State ranks among the 10 states least likely to Google search move-planning questions, according to a Sept. 30 report by moveBuddha, an online platform to help people move.
But that doesn’t mean the thought never comes up. When Mississippians do Google moving abroad, three countries pop up the most, according to the report.
Here’s what to know.
Where do MS folks dream of moving most?
These are the top three countries Mississippians Google moving to the most, according to moveBuddha:
1. England
2. France
3. Switzerland
But why these three countries? Here’s how researchers at moveBuddha put it:
“For many Americans, European quality of life, healthcare, free travel, and culture can mean that searchers don’t have strong feelings about moving to one country over another.”
Which states search for how to move abroad the least?
These states search for practical questions regarding moving abroad — like visa requirements and cost — the least, according to moveBuddha:
1. South Dakota
2. North Dakota
3. Nebraska
4. Rhode Island
5. Montana
6. Mississippi
7. Idaho
8. New Hampshire
9. Hawaii
10. Delaware
Which states search for how to move abroad the most?
These states look up practical questions about moving abroad the most, according to moveBuddha:
1. Oklahoma
2. Colorado
3. Washington, D.C.
4. Washington
5. Vermont
6. Maryland
7. Massachusetts
8. North Carolina
9. Virginia
10. Georgia
Why are Americans moving abroad?
The trend of Americans moving away is multi-faceted, according to researchers at CS Global Partners.
“Economic considerations like cost of living and opportunity still matter, but they intertwine with a quest for personal freedom, safety, and fulfillment that many feel has grown elusive at home,” researchers said.
Here are two main reasons Americans are moving out of the U.S., according to experts:
1. Changing social and political climate: safety concerns related to rising gun violence and civil rights and social justice concerns are behind some Americans’ choice to move abroad, experts said.
2. New incentives abroad: Some countries have rolled out programs to bring in foreign residents and boost their own economies, according to experts.
