Dream Destinations: How the Pandemic Reshaped Where We Want to Live

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

It’s one thing to daydream about living in another country—it’s quite another to actually search “how to move to Canada” at 2 AM during a global crisis. Yet that’s exactly what millions of people did in 2020, creating a fascinating shift in global migration aspirations compared to just two years earlier.

When Dreams and Data Collide

Back in 2018, Reddit user mrekre created a map that quickly captured the internet’s attention. Using WIN/Gallup International survey responses to the question “Which country would you like to live in?”, their visualization showed how people’s idealized homes clustered around a few expected favorites – the US, Australia, and several European nations (mainly Switzerland and Germany) topped many lists.

 

In 2020, everything changed. Our priorities drastically changed as COVID-19 spread around the world. All of a sudden, nations with robust healthcare systems, steady economies, and successful pandemic responses appeared more desirable than ever.

A second map made by the international money transfer company Remitly makes this change very evident. In order to determine which places people most desired to call home during those tumultuous months, they examined Google search data from January through October 2020, tracking terms like “how to move to [country]” across 101 countries.

Canada’s Moment

The results showed a dramatic consolidation around one clear winner: Canada. While the 2018 map showed diverse preferences, by 2020, people from 30 different countries—nearly a third of those studied – were most interested in moving to the Great White North.

Why Canada? The timing can help. In the early stages of the pandemic, Canada was commended for its robust healthcare system, comparatively lower COVID-19 death rates than the US, and generous economic support for its citizens. When you combine these factors with its longstanding reputation for safety, multiculturalism, and environmental protection, those freezing winters don’t seem so bad. Japan came in second, ranking as the top choice for 13 countries; interestingly, even Canadians were considering Japan, possibly drawn to its low crime rates, technological innovation, and highly effective healthcare system. Spain completed the top three, with 12 countries lusting after its Mediterranean climate and way of life.

New Regional Patterns

Some intriguing regional connections can be seen in the 2020 data:

• Europe: With eight nations selecting Germany as their top travel destination, it dominated the European wish list. Its popularity was probably increased by its economic prowess during the crisis and Angela Merkel’s highly acclaimed pandemic leadership. Still, five European countries – including France and Belgium – favored Canada.
• North & Central America: Eight countries in this region set their sights on Canada. Meanwhile, both the US and Canada looked across the Pacific to Japan – suggesting a growing East Asian appeal among North Americans.
• South America: Language and cultural ties clearly influenced South American preferences, with Spain emerging as the overwhelming favorite. These connections build on decades of bidirectional migration flows between Latin America and Spain.
• Oceania: A charming reciprocal relationship emerged here, with New Zealand and Fiji each selecting the other as their top destination. Australia joined the growing number of people interested in Japan.
• Asia: The continent displayed distinct regional patterns, with Southeast Asian countries searching for information about moving to Japan and Middle Eastern countries favoring Qatar, likely due to its tax-free salaries and expanding economic opportunities.
• Africa: Canada dominated African searches, appearing as the top choice in 14 countries, including Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa. Based on Canadian immigration statistics, applications from these regions have in fact increased in recent years.

Beyond Dreams

These maps depict aspirations rather than actual migration. However, those goals are important. They show how our views of safety, opportunity, and quality of life are altered by world events.

The change from a wide range of ideal travel destinations in 2018 to a clear preference for Canada by 2020 reflects more than just the country’s allure; it also reflects what people value during uncertain times. We look for stability when the world seems chaotic. We observe which systems work best when healthcare becomes critical. We search for resilience when economies falter.

What about you? Has your dream destination changed in recent years? Are you still dreaming of moving abroad, or has the pandemic made home feel more valuable than before? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear where you’d pack your bags for if given the chance.