#1
America. The Land of the Free … It’s all cotton candy, glitz and glamour, endless opportunity and big dreams. Or is it?
The country was once seen as a top place to live by many Americans and non-Americans alike. But recent research reveals that people are nowhere near as proud as they once were to be a U.S. national. A Gallup poll conducted in June 2025 found that American pride is at a record low.
"58% of U.S. adults say they are “extremely” (41%) or “very” (17%) proud to be an American, down nine percentage points from last year and five points below the prior low from 2020," reports Gallup.
Gallup first asked Americans how proud they were in January 2001. Back then, 87% said they were “extremely” or “very proud.” That figure increased to 90% after 9/11 and remained steady between 2002 and 2004.
#2
I had a heart operation in the UK and didn't even have to pay for parking. A guy on Reddit in the U.S. had the same operation and is now in debt 1/4 million dollars.
He is also likely to be in & out of hospital for the rest of his life and no insurance company will go anywhere near him.
To a non-US person this is both mind-blowing and disgusting in equal measures.
#3
Gallup's experts put the decline in U.S. pride down to a few things... They say national unity has eroded over the past 25 years due to a combination of political and generational changes.
"These changes have occurred mostly over the past decade, and have done so amid greater pessimism about the economic prospects for young people, widespread dissatisfaction with the state of the nation, greater ideological divides between the parties, unfavorable images of both parties, and intense partisan rancor during the Trump and Biden administrations," explains the site.
#4
#5
So I guess metal detectors at school.
#6
2. The overall insanity of politics no matter what colour
3. The heavily biased main stream media
4. The lack of affordable health care
5. Guns, guns, guns
6. The importance of credit scores
7. Checks as payment
8. (Lack of) Worker's rights (like paid vacation, maternity leave, etc.)
Despite many Americans voicing their lack of pride, this hasn't stopped people from flocking to the country in search of a better life. The so-called American Dream... The United States had, until recently, seen 50 years of rapid growth in terms of the number of people immigrating there.
"In January 2025, 53.3 million immigrants lived in the United States – the largest number ever recorded. In the ensuing months, however, more immigrants left the country or were deported than arrived," reports Pew Research Center. "By June, the country’s foreign-born population had shrunk by more than a million people, marking its first decline since the 1960s."
#7
#8
According to Pew Research Center's analysis of Census Bureau data in June this year, 51.9 million immigrants lived in the U.S. and 15.4% of all U.S. residents were immigrants. That's down from a recent historic high of 15.8%, notes the center.
So, what are the main reasons someone would want to move to the United States?
"At the heart of immigration decisions is the push-pull dynamic," explain the experts over at Boundless, an immigration company. "Push factors like violence, poverty, and political instability compel people to leave, while pull factors such as job opportunities, education, family connections, and safety draw them to the U.S."
#10
anon:
Every state has different tax.
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#12
woopbeeboop:
No literally. Most Americans go to the doctor as the last option and not the first one.
PlayedUOonBaja:
Yeah, I ignored a non-stop splitting migraine for 3 months before I finally went to the Doctor. Well, technically I waited until the migraine became a Hemorrhagic stroke, then I finally decided to go see one. In the back of an ambulance.
A survey conducted by Boundless in 2025 found that nearly half of recent immigrants moved to the U.S. for job opportunities. The company notes that immigrants are vital to the U.S. labor market and often fill critical roles in agriculture, construction, and healthcare.
"They’re also more likely than U.S.-born individuals to start businesses, fueling innovation and job creation," adds the site.
But economic opportunity isn't the only reason families choose America...
#13
coleus:
We're weird. We hate public indecency, but have no problem with big stall gaps.
#14
If you drive for five hours in Europe, everyone’s talking funny and the cheese is different.
insainodwayno:
In the US, 100 miles is nothing, 100 years is a lot.
In Europe, 100 miles is a lot, 100 years is nothing.
The stone retaining wall for the front of our property (here in Germany) is dated 1846, and it's nothing special. Many of the houses in the old part of our small town are 1300 and older.
#15
Boundless found that the U.S. education system is also a big drawcard when it comes to immigration. "With over 1 million international students currently enrolled, the U.S. remains a global leader in higher education," the site elaborates. "Many students also pursue long-term work opportunities and permanent residency after graduating."
Of course, family can also be a reason why someone would move to America. Boundless revealed that nearly a quarter of immigrants arrive in the States to join loved ones who are already there.
#16
I almost exclusively walk everywhere in my city or use public transport if I'm in a hurry.
#17
#18
If you're considering moving to the United States, you might want to familiarize yourself with this listicle … so that you aren’t caught off-guard when you see your neighbor disposing of trash in the kitchen sink or receiving a fine from your HOA for not mowing your front lawn!
Do you live in America already? Tell us you live there without telling us you live there, in the comments below.
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