A new survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) has found that nearly two-thirds of young Americans have considered leaving the United States due to growing concerns over the nation’s political divisions, economic instability, and social fragmentation.

The Stress in America 2025 survey, conducted by "The Harris Poll" between August 4 and 24 and involving over 3,000 adults, reveals deepening pessimism about the country’s future.

According to the findings, 63% of adults aged 18 to 34 said they had thought about relocating to another country “because of the state of the nation,” compared with 53% of parents who said the same.

Overall, 76% of respondents reported feeling more worried about the country’s future than before, while 62% said social division had become a significant source of stress. The survey also showed that 54% of adults have felt isolated from others, underscoring a growing sense of disconnection across American society.

“Many young adults are facing a combination of financial stress, political division, and uncertainty about the future,” said Dr. Lynn Bufka, APA’s Head of Practice, as cited by Newsweek.

“They’ve come of age during a time marked by crises, a global pandemic, climate anxiety, and economic challenges,” Bufka added.

Bufka noted that early adulthood often brings flexibility to relocate, adding, “While saying you’ve considered leaving and actually doing it are very different things, the fact that so many are thinking about it underscores how deeply these stresses are being felt.”

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Mounting financial pressures

The APA report links these attitudes to mounting financial pressures, including high housing, healthcare, and energy costs, as well as the ongoing government shutdown that has left federal workers unpaid and families without crucial benefits.

Katie McLaughlin, director of the Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health, described the findings as “concerning but not surprising,” citing “overwhelming stress” and “social isolation” as major contributors to depression and anxiety among youth.

Both experts emphasized that rebuilding trust in institutions, strengthening social ties, and expanding opportunities for civic engagement are essential to reversing these trends.

Despite widespread concern, most young adults, 79%, according to the survey, still believe they can build a good life, even if it looks different from that of previous generations.

Read more: 75% of Americans report higher costs despite Trump’s inflation claim

Problems driving quest

In recent years, a growing number of Americans have expressed interest in leaving the United States to live abroad, driven by a combination of economic, social, and political pressures. Rising living costs, unaffordable housing, and the burden of student debt have made financial stability increasingly difficult for many households.

At the same time, political polarization, gun violence, and healthcare insecurity have deepened public anxiety and eroded trust in national institutions. Environmental concerns, such as worsening climate disasters, and the search for better work-life balance have also played a role. Together, these challenges are pushing many Americans to consider life elsewhere in search of safety, affordability, and a renewed sense of community.

The following is a list of issues further exacerbated under Trump's current administration:

1. Expansion of executive power and federal government restructuring

• Trump proposes to bolster presidential authority, shifting power from independent agencies and the civil service toward the Executive.
• He intends to reclassify or remove civil-service protections for thousands of federal employees, making it easier to replace them with loyalists.
• The implication: potential erosion of checks and balances, and increased partisanship in the bureaucracy. 

2. Aggressive trade, economic, and tax policy

• Trump signals he will extend or deepen the tax cuts from his first term (for example corporate tax rate reductions) and propose new tax relief (e.g., for tips, Social Security income). Advocate.com+1
• On trade: The “America First” agenda returns with a vengeance — higher tariffs, reshoring of supply chains, pressure on China and other trade partners. ThinkChina
• Economic risks: Some economists expect higher inflation, higher deficits and interest rates under these policies. The Wall Street Journal+1

3. Climate, energy, and environmental roll-back

• A second term is expected to reverse many of the recent climate policies, increase reliance on fossil fuels, and withdraw or reduce engagement in international climate commitments.
• The “total energy dominance” concept has been invoked, using US energy production as a geopolitical plus, and reframing climate policy in that light. 

4. Immigration and border security crackdown

• Expect increased border enforcement, expanded deportation efforts, invoking emergency powers to secure the border, much more stringent immigration controls. Wikipedia+1
• These changes could have big implications for migrant communities and US labour markets.

5. Foreign policy: More unilateralism, weaker alliances

• The second term would likely emphasize the US acting more unilaterally, less committed to alliances such as NATO or multilateral institutions, and more transactional foreign relations. 
• Trade and technology competition (especially with China) remains central, with possible decoupling or strategic isolation.

6. Cultural, educational, and social policy shifts

• On education: The plan includes reducing the role of the federal government (e.g., downsizing the Department of Education), scrapping tenure protections, altering accreditation, rejecting “woke” curricula.
• On diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies: A rollback of many federal DEI initiatives and a re-orientation of civil-rights enforcement.