8,173 Americans completed our emigration quiz in March 2026 — the month that set the baseline for what would follow. More than half cited politics. Ireland held the top destination spot. And 4.4% said they needed out immediately. By April, that last number had already jumped 36%.
In March, the reasons Americans wanted to leave were already well-established. Politics led by a significant margin — cited by more than 1 in 2 respondents. Healthcare followed at 37.4%, cost of living at 25.4%. What's notable in the March data is how closely the top three reasons track together: political discontent, healthcare anxiety, and financial pressure aren't separate complaints — they're a unified portrait of why someone starts researching emigration.
In March, Ireland held the top spot — matched first by 13.0% of quiz respondents. Its combination of English as a primary language, EU membership, and clear employment pathways made it the default choice for Americans who wanted Europe without a language adjustment. Portugal trailed at 11.3% — a gap that would close entirely by April. Taiwan at #3 is the standout non-European entry, and the United Kingdom appeared in the top 10 at #8 — the only month it would make the list.
The March data is unambiguous about who is seriously considering leaving. Nearly 40% are between 36 and 50 years old. One in five are already retired. These aren't people at the start of their careers — they're people mid-life with assets, options, and a growing sense of urgency. 40% plan to find a local job abroad; 22% are remote workers who can move without changing employers.
In March, 4.4% of respondents selected "as soon as possible" as their intended timeline. That's 360 people in a single month saying they need to leave immediately. The majority — 48.8% — were still in exploration mode. But the urgency segment was already there, and it was growing. By April, the ASAP share jumped to 6.0% — a 36% increase in one month. March set the baseline. The April report shows what happened next.
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