Jeune Street

A new Gallup poll finds that -- surprise! -- most people in the world would prefer to live in the US. Greg Scoblete thinks this is a good thing:

If everyone who said they wanted to move to the United States actually did so, the population of the U.S. would grow by 60 percent. The ability to attract immigrants is not all good, of course, but it does speak to the country's capacity to regenerate itself and stave off a decline in population. America's two major great power rivals - China and Russia - can boast of no such attraction.

While I agree with Greg's point, it's also worth saying that just because about 180 million people want to migrate to the US, most of them would not be able to even if it were legal. Many could not afford it, most do not have the social resources/networks to successfully relocate, and even more would ultimately choose to remain close to family, friends, and familiarity. Still, the survey is a good indication of the type of migration pressure that will be growing in the years to come, especially as economic growth in developing countries advances -- giving more people the resources and will to move.

HT: Andrew Sullivan