Where do Americans live when they emigrate from the US? - The American diaspora is really hard to account for, mainly because the US Census Bureau does not count keep track of citizens who live abroad, and individual American embassies offer only rough estimates. However, the State Department estimates that there are 9 million U.S. citizens living overseas as of 2016, more than double the estimate of 4 million in 1999. Some of the reasons Americans might choose to emigrate include experiencing other parts of the world, religious reasons such as missionary work, or to take advantage of job opportunities in emerging markets. But where do they go?

Check out the list to find out, including some of the destinations’ pros and cons, according to a study conducted by InterNations.

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30. New Zealand - Approximately 17,751 Americans have made this Pacific nation their home. / 

Pros: Good country to work in as an expat. New Zealand ranks as the sixth best destination for expats. / 

Cons: As a relatively isolated nation, it ranks pretty low on travel and transportation.

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29. El Salvador - Some 19,000 Americans call this Central American country home. / 

Pros: Friendliness of locals. / 

Cons: Security isn’t El Salvador’s strength.

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28. Panama - About 25,000 Americans have emigrated to this Central American country. / 

Pros: Panama ranks high in job security for expats. / 

Cons: Panama ranks low in safety and security.

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27. Lebanon - Approximately 25,000 Americans call this Middle Eastern country home. / 

Pros: Leisure and tourism. / 

Cons: Transportation isn’t the country's forte.

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26. Russia - About 30,000 Americans live in the world’s largest nation. / 

Pros: Has good education opportunities for children and ranks relatively high in family life. / 

Cons: Ranks low in security and safety, mainly given its unstable political situation. / 

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25. Bahamas - About 30,000 Americans have moved to the Bahamas. / 

Pros: Good work-life balance. / 

Cons: Cost of living is generally high.

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24. Norway - Approximately 33,509 Americans call Norway home. / 

Pros: Ranks 20th best for expats, with high quality of life. / 

Cons: Settling in is generally difficult for foreigners.

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23. Argentina - About 37,000 Americans have made this South American country their home. / 

Pros: Argentina ranks high in personal happiness. / 

Cons: Ranks low in security and safety, as well as in political stability.

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22. Saudi Arabia - About 40,000 Americans live in this Arabic country. / 

Pros: Saudi Arabia has a large expat community, meaning it’s well equipped to handle issues related to foreigners. The country ranks high in job security. / 

Cons: Ranks low in travel and transport, as well as in personal happiness.

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21. Haiti - About 45,000 Americans call this small Caribbean country home. / 

Pros: Ranks high in friendliness. Locals are known for being welcoming to foreigners. / 

Cons: Prone to natural disasters.

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20. United Arab Emirates - Approximately 50,000 Americans call this Middle Eastern powerhouse home. / 

Pros: Ranks relatively high in family life. Many locals have good knowledge of English. Ranks high in safety and security. / 

Cons: Ranks low in health and well-being. / 

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19. Italy - About 50,000 Americans call Italy home. / 

Pros: Italy has plenty of leisure opportunities. / 

Cons: Cost of living is generally high. Italy also ranks low in safety and security. / 

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18. Japan - About 51,321 Americans have made Japan their home. / 

Pros: This east Asian powerhouse ranks very high in safety and security and quality of life. / 

Cons: Japan ranks low in work-life balance as well as leisure.

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17. Pakistan - About 52,486 Americans live in this south Asian nation. / 

Pros: It’s pretty affordable, thus ranking high in cost of living. / 

Cons: Pakistan ranks low in political stability.

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16. Australia - Approximately 56,276 Americans call Australia home. / 

Pros: Endless opportunities for leisure. Also ranks high in health and well-being. / 

Cons: Australia has dropped considerably in the ranking from 10 in 2016 to 27 in 2017, in part due to its high cost of living and poor work-life balance.

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15. India - About 60,000 Americans live in the world’s second most populous country. / 

Pros: As a former British colony, lots of locals speak English. Ranks high in cost of childcare and education. / 

Cons: Ranks low in safety and security, as well as travel and transportation.

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14. Hong Kong - About 60,000 Americans call this autonomous territory home. / 

Pros: Ranks second best for travel and transportation, as well as in personal safety. / 

Cons: Ranks relatively low in health and well being.

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13. Colombia - Approximately 60,000 Americans have made this South American nation their home. / 

Pros: Colombia is among the top three for personal finance, and is the eighth best destination overall for expats. / 

Cons: Ranks low in safety and security.

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12. Brazil - About 70,000 Americans call Brazil home. / 

Pros: Ranks high in friendliness of locals and making friends. / 

Cons: Brazil has plummeted in the rankings, particularly due to its political instability and low safety levels.

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11. China - About 71,493 Americans live in the world’s most populous country. / 

Pros: Ranks high in travel and transportation. / 

Cons: Ranks low in health and well-being.

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10. France - About 100,000 Americans call France home. / 

Pros: Ranks high in health and well-being, as well as travel and transportation. / 

Cons: Ranks low in making expats feel welcome.

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9. South Korea - Approximately 120,000–158,000 Americans have emigrated to this east Asian country. / 

Pros: Ranks high in travel and transportation, general quality of life, and safety and security. / 

Cons: Ranks relatively low in leisure and friendliness.

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8. Costa Rica - About 130,000 Americans live in this Central American nation. / 

Pros: Makes the top 10 for ease of settling in, family life, and quality of life. Costa Rica is the current runner-up for best destination for expats. / 

Cons: Costa Rica ranks high across the board, but it ranks relatively low in job security and personal safety.

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7. Puerto Rico - About 189,000 Americans live in this Caribbean territory. / 

Pros: Ranks high in friendliness and being made to feel welcome. / 

Cons: Ranks low for cost of childcare and education.

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6. United Kingdom - Between 139,000 and 197,143 are estimated to live in the UK. / 

Pros: Language and culture are a big advantage for Americans. / 

Cons: The UK ranks low in quality of life, particularly due to its high cost of living.

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5. Israel - About 200,000 Americans call this Middle Eastern nation home. / 

Pros: Ranks high in health and well-being, as well as leisure options. / 

Cons: Ranks low in safety and security.

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4. Philippines - Between 220,000 and 600,000 Americans have moved to this southeast Asian country. / 

Pros: Ranks high in personal happiness. / 

Cons: Ranks low in safety and security.

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3. Germany - About 324,000 Americans have made this European powerhouse their home. / 

Pros: Ranks high in safety and security, health and well-being, and overall quality of life. / 

Cons: Ranks low in personal happiness and finding friends.

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2. Canada - Between 316,350 and 1 million Americans call this northern neighbor home. / 

Pros: It holds the seventh spot for safety and security, and health and well-being. / 

Cons: Ranks low for personal happiness.

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1. Mexico - Between 738,100 and 1 million Americans call Mexico home. / 

Pros: Mexico has historically been an all-time favorite destination for American expats. It ranks high for its low cost of living and friendliness. / 

Cons: Ranks low in safety and security, as well as political stability.

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