Figures from a recent poll demonstrate that no matter where people live, many want to move somewhere else

Perhaps it’s the ‘grass is greener’ syndrome or maybe people are simply realising that greater opportunities are open elsewhere. Regardless as to the reasons, many individuals and families are upping sticks and relocating to destinations all over the world.

Gallup is the world’s prime poll company and has conducted surveys worldwide for more than 70 years. They employ many of the world's leading personnel in management, economics, psychology and sociology to ensure that they are asking the right questions and analysing the information that they receive correctly.

Recently Gallup did a survey from 2007 to 2009 in 135 countries to find out what people's intentions are in terms of relocating. Can you believe that six percent of the world's population would like to move permanently to another country? This represents about 700 million people worldwide. Here are some of their findings.

People from sub-Saharan African countries are the most likely to want to emigrate. Thirty-eight percent of the adult population wish to move abroad from this region - about 165 million people in all. Those from Asian countries are the least likely to want to move. Ten percent are interested in immigration – even so this adds up to a stupendous 250 million people (approximately).

The US is the most popular country for would-be immigrants. Almost one quarter of those surveyed were interested in moving there. This represents more than 165 million adults around the world. Approximately 45 million people would be interested in moving to Canada - North America and Europe as these are the most popular immigration destinations of the world.

Around 80 million people in the EU would like to relocate to another EU country. These findings reflect the following:

- 45 million people would like to move to the UK or France
- 35 million would like to live in Spain
- 25 million would like to emigrate to Germany
- 30 million would like to move to Saudi Arabia
- 25 million would like to move to Australia

Gallup based its results on telephone and face to face interview with 259,542 adults, aged 15 and older, in 135 countries from 2007 to 2009. The 135 countries represent 93 percent of the world's adult population. Interesting isn’t it? It just shows that there are many people out there with the same hopes and dreams as you…

Kim Brown is the author of the Emigration Guide. To get your copy go to: http://www.emigrationguide.com/?src=article&trk=overseasliving