More than one in three travellers are thinking about retiring outside their home country, according to the latest Global Rescue Traveller Sentiment and Safety Survey. The results show strong curiosity about international retirement among younger and higher-income respondents, with only about half of all travellers saying they plan to retire domestically.
“Travel often sparks more than just short-term adventure – it opens people’s eyes to what life could look like elsewhere,” says Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies. “For many, the idea of retiring abroad represents freedom, affordability and access to new experiences.”
Younger travellers more open to the idea
Interest in retiring abroad was highest among global travellers under 55, particularly those between 35 and 54 years old. While the majority of survey respondents are over 55, the data indicate that a new generation of travellers is beginning to link their travel ambitions with long-term lifestyle planning.
“People who started travelling globally in their 30s and 40s are now thinking about how they could make that lifestyle permanent,” Richards said. “They’ve seen firsthand how different cultures live – and they’re considering how that could fit into their future.”
Income plays a role
Wealthier travellers are leading the retirement-abroad trend. Respondents with household incomes above $150,000 were the most likely to consider living overseas, with interest tapering among those earning less than $100,000. Nearly one in 10 survey respondents (9%) reported annual incomes above $500,000, a group particularly drawn to international retirement options.
“Financial flexibility is often a deciding factor,” Richards noted. “The more exposure travellers have to global destinations – and the means to plan accordingly – the more comfortable they are with the idea of retiring somewhere new.”
Gender similarities in retirement outlook
Men (38%) and women (35%) were nearly identical in their interest in retiring abroad. Just over half of all respondents (51%) said they intend to remain in their home country, while 13% are undecided.
“These numbers reflect growing openness to global living,” Richards said. “Even if travellers don’t ultimately move abroad, the fact that one-third are seriously thinking about it shows a significant cultural shift in how people view retirement.”
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