U.S. 'Moving Deficit' Favors Australia And Germany

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States experienced a "moving deficit" in Germany and Australia with more household goods moves made from the U.S. to these countries in 2012 than moves to the U.S. according to the International Migration Study released today by UniGroup Relocation (formerly UniGroup Worldwide).

Several Western European countries, Germany, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, continued to top the list as destinations for U.S. residents moving abroad. The U.K. is the top country of origin for moves to the U.S., as it has been for six out of the past seven years. Canada jumped to 3^rd from 12^th on the list of top origin countries. While in 2008, 2009 and 2010 there were more moves from the U.S. to China than moves from China to the U.S., this disparity leveled out in 2012.

Since releasing its first international study in 2010, UniGroup Relocation expanded its data to include U.S. shipment trends to/from Canada, as well as intra-country data from the company's regional headquarters in Europe and Asia. The 2012 study now includes more than 25,000 household goods moves managed by UniGroup Relocation.

"As a global leader in household goods moves, UniGroup Relocation's international migration study offers a unique perspective into what is happening with overall migration patterns to and from the U.S.," said Rich McClure, CEO, UniGroup Relocation.

2012 Top Origin Countries to the U.S.

1. United Kingdom
2. Germany
3. Canada
4. China
5. France
6. Australia
7. India
8. Japan
9. The Netherlands
10. Singapore
11. Switzerland
12. Belgium
13. South Africa
14. Brazil
15. Hong Kong

2012 Top Destination Countries from the U.S.

1. Germany
2. United Kingdom
3. Australia
4. China
5. Switzerland
6. France
7. India
8. The Netherlands
9. Singapore
10. Japan
11. Brazil
12. Chile
13. Italy
14. United Arab Emirates
15. Hong Kong

"The international migration data from UniGroup offers a glimpse into the factors that drive international migration," according to Michael Stoll, economist, professor and chair of the Department of Public Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles. "The data reflects moves linked to the U.S. economy's relative strength internationally, as well as the ties to and strength of the economic performance of major trading partners of the U.S."

Some key trends emerged in the 2012 migration patterns for the regions around the globe:

Europe

European countries moved up on the list of top destination countries: In comparison to 2011 data, France moved to 6^th from 7^th, the Netherlands to 8^th from 9^th and Italy to 13^th from 14^th. France also appeared on the top origin list moving up from 5^th to 7^th, along with Belgium moving from 14^th to 12^th.

Canada

Canada jumped up the list of top origin countries to 3^rd from 12^th.

Asia Pacific

Japan moved up on the destination list from 11^th to10^th, and it also moved from 10^th to 8^th on the origin list in 2012. Hong Kong joined the ranking at the 15^th spot on the top origin countries after not making the list in 2011, and dropped to 15^th among the destination countries from 12^th in 2011. In 2012, China had an equal balance of shipments to and from the U.S.

Central and South America

Brazil made the 14^th spot on the top origin list, and moved up to 11^th from 13^th on the destination list. Chile made the top destination list at number 12.

UniGroup Relocation is affiliated with U.S. moving leaders Mayflower Transit and United Van Lines. The 2012 international migration results come after United released its 36^th annual domestic migration study, capturing state-to-state migration patterns in the U.S.

About UniGroup Relocation

UniGroup Relocation is an international transportation provider with head offices in St. Louis, Mo., specializing in the movement of household belongings. It is among the largest and most recognized international household goods moving providers in the world. UniGroup Relocation has regional offices located in Hong Kong, London and Toronto and maintains a global footprint of more than 1,300 affiliated service centers. For more information about UniGroup Relocation, please visit unigrouprelocation.com.

SOURCE UniGroup Relocation