Exploring The Us: Americans Who Never Left The Country

It's a common stereotype that Americans don't travel much, but is it true? Research suggests that 40% of Americans have never been outside of the US, and 11% have never left the state they were born in. This is a fairly consistent statistic across the developed world: 37% of Europeans have never travelled outside of their own country. However, Americans with lower levels of education are much less likely to have travelled widely than those with more schooling. For example, 37% of those with just some college education or less have not left the country, compared with only 7% of those who have graduated college.

40% of Americans have never been outside of the US

It is a common misconception that Americans are particularly xenophobic or insular, but 40% of Americans have never been outside of the US. This is a fairly consistent statistic across the developed world, with 37% of Europeans never having travelled outside of their own country. In fact, it is Europeans who are less likely to travel.

There are many reasons why Americans might not travel abroad. Research of 2,000 Americans across the country found that 11% of survey respondents have never travelled outside of the state where they were born. Over half of those surveyed (54%) say they’ve visited 10 states or fewer.

Education is also a factor. Americans with lower levels of education are much less likely to have travelled widely than those with more schooling. For example, 37% of those with just some college education or less have not left the country, compared with only 7% of those who have graduated college. College graduates are also more likely to have been to multiple countries: a quarter have been to 10 or more countries.

Women (32%) are more likely than men (22%) to have never travelled outside the country. However, men are much more likely than women to have been to five or more countries (30% vs. 22%).

11% have never left the state they were born in

According to a survey of 2,000 Americans, 11% of respondents have never travelled outside the state they were born in. This is a surprising statistic, given the size of the United States and the fact that many US states are bigger than European countries.

The survey, conducted by market researchers OnePoll and commissioned by travel luggage provider Victorinox, also found that over half of respondents (54%) had visited 10 states or fewer. This suggests that a significant proportion of Americans do not travel widely within their own country, let alone internationally.

The results of the survey may help to explain the apparent gaps in knowledge that many Americans seem to have about the world. For example, Americans with lower levels of education are much less likely to have travelled widely than those with more schooling. Thirty-seven per cent of those with some college education or less have not left the country, compared with only 7% of college graduates.

Additionally, the survey found that women (32%) are more likely than men (22%) to have never travelled outside the country. However, men are much more likely than women to have been to five or more countries (30% vs. 22%).

Women are more likely than men to have never travelled outside the country

While 40% of Americans have never been outside the US, women are more likely than men to have never travelled outside the country. 32% of women have never travelled outside the country, compared to 22% of men. Men are more likely to have been to five or more countries (30% vs. 22%). However, the average US traveller is a 47-year-old woman, and 80% of all travel decisions are made by women. Women are also more likely to travel with their partners, families, friends, solo or in groups.

There are a number of reasons why women might be more likely to have never travelled outside the country. Women are more likely to have lower levels of education, which is a factor in how likely someone is to travel. 37% of those with some college education or less have not left the country, compared to 7% of college graduates. Women are also more likely to travel for reasons such as hooking up out of town, which avoids the risk of the guy impacting her social status at home.

Americans with lower levels of education are less likely to have travelled widely

A 2020 survey found that 40% of Americans have never been outside of the US, and 11% have never left the state they were born in. This is a fairly consistent statistic across the developed world, with 37% of Europeans never having travelled outside of their own country.

Americans with lower levels of education are much less likely to have travelled widely than those with more schooling. For example, 37% of those with just some college education or less have not left the country, compared with only 7% of those who have graduated college. College graduates are also more likely to have been to multiple countries: a quarter have been to 10 or more countries.

Income levels also play a significant role in travel habits, with higher-income individuals being more likely to have travelled internationally and to multiple countries. For instance, 48% of Americans earning below $30,000 annually have not left the country, compared to 28% of those with moderate incomes and only 10% of high earners.

Race is another factor that influences travel habits, with Black Americans (49%) and Hispanic Americans (73%) being less likely to have travelled internationally compared to White Americans (75%).

Over half of those surveyed have visited 10 states or fewer

According to a survey of 2,000 Americans, 54% of respondents have visited 10 states or fewer. This is perhaps surprising, given the size of the United States, and the fact that 11% of Americans have never left the state they were born in. This figure is comparable to the number of Europeans who have never travelled outside their own country (37%).

However, it's worth noting that the number of Americans who have never travelled outside the US is 40%, according to another source. This figure varies depending on income, education, and race. For example, 37% of those with some college education or less have not left the country, compared to only 7% of college graduates. Similarly, women are more likely than men to have never travelled outside the country (32% vs 22%).

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