Record Numbers of Americans Renouncing Citizenship as US Experiences Negative Net Migration

WASHINGTON – For the first time since the Great Depression, the United States is experiencing negative net migration, according to analyses by The Wall Street Journal and a report from the Brookings Institution. This signifies a substantial decrease in the number of immigrants arriving in the US compared to previous years.

Understanding Negative Net Migration

Brookings Institution data projects a net migration figure between -10,000 and -295,000 for 2025. The study similarly suggests that this trend of negative net migration is likely to continue into 2026. Net migration is calculated as the difference between the number of immigrants entering a country and the number of emigrants leaving it. A negative number indicates more people are leaving the country than arriving.

Surge in Americans Relinquishing US Citizenship

Alongside declining immigration, there’s been a notable increase in Americans renouncing their US citizenship. Approximately 4–9 million Americans currently reside abroad, and requests to renounce citizenship surged by 48% by 2024. This trend suggests a growing number of individuals are choosing to seek opportunities or lifestyles outside of the United States.

Factors Contributing to the Shift

Several factors may be contributing to these trends. Rising costs of living, political polarization, and a desire for more affordable education are potential drivers. More than 100,000 US students are now studying abroad, often seeking cheaper degree programs.

Expert Insights

Alexandra (Alex) Ossola hosts/produces The Wall Street Journal’s What’s News podcast in New York according to the Wall Street Journal. William Galston, who writes the weekly Politics & Ideas column in The Wall Street Journal and holds the Ezra K. Zilkha Chair in the Brookings Institution’s program on American decline, has also commented on these demographic shifts in a recent Wall Street Journal opinion piece.