UK Tops the Charts in Googling How to Leave the Country

The Google Trends data from the last twelve months shows that the United Kingdom had the highest level of search interest globally for the phrase “how to move abroad.” The UK scored 100 on Google’s scale, the highest relative search volume among countries. Ireland came second at 57, while the United States, Pakistan, Singapore, and Nigeria all followed with a score of 28.

Why People in the UK Might Be Looking Elsewhere?

The rising interest in moving abroad isn’t entirely surprising. Many in the UK have been dealing with a mix of pressures like high living costs, unaffordable housing, long public service wait times, and overall economic strain. For younger generations especially, the idea of starting fresh somewhere else seems to be gaining appeal.

According to a IFA Magazine report, about 23% of Brits say they’re planning to move abroad. That number jumps even higher among younger adults: 38% of those aged 25–34 and 36% of those aged 18–24 say they’re considering leaving the UK within the next five years.

What used to feel like a big leap emigrating to another country is now being seen as a real and realistic option by more people, especially as remote work and digital nomad programs expand.

Ireland’s Case Is Different

Ireland comes in second on the list with a Google Trends score of 57, but its actual migration story paints a very different picture. In the last year alone, Ireland’s population rose by nearly 100,000, the biggest 12-month increase since 2008. There were 149,200 immigrants during that period, which was the highest in 17 years.

Of those, 30,000 were returning Irish citizens, 27,000 were from other EU countries, and 5,400 were UK citizens. The remaining 86,800 came from a mix of other countries around the world.

So even though Ireland shows up high in search activity, its reality reflects strong immigration rather than people trying to leave. It’s possible that some of the searches from Ireland are actually coming from UK citizens living there, now considering their next move either back to the UK, deeper into the EU, or elsewhere entirely.

Why Singapore, the US, Pakistan, and Nigeria Are on the List?

Several other countries tied with a score of 28: the United States, Pakistan, Singapore, and Nigeria. While their levels of interest are lower than the UK’s, each reflects a unique set of local concerns.

In Singapore, cost of living is a major factor. The city-state consistently ranks among the most expensive places in the world. Monthly living costs for a single person average around S$5,134, while a family of four might need S$12,575 or more, largely driven by high rent and daily expenses. For some residents, this may be prompting searches for more affordable countries that still offer a similar quality of life and urban convenience.

In the United States, the recent uptick in search interest could be tied to political developments. As Donald Trump’s new policies begin to take shape during his return to the political spotlight, some Americans may be feeling uneasy about what lies ahead. Political shifts, along with ongoing debates around healthcare, housing affordability, and social division, have long influenced US residents to explore relocation options abroad.

In Pakistan and Nigeria, the usual economic pressures persist. Inflation, unemployment, and limited access to stable opportunities continue to push many people to explore pathways for education, work, or long-term migration in other countries.

Searching “how to move abroad” doesn’t always mean a person is ready to leave. Sometimes it’s just curiosity, frustration, or even a form of wishful thinking. But when large numbers of people are making the same search over a sustained period, it does point to a broader mood shift.

For the UK in particular, the trend feels more than temporary. Whether it turns into a major wave of migration remains to be seen, but the growing interest in life beyond national borders is clearly on the rise.