More than one in ten European Union citizens wants to leave their region out of choice or necessity, according to the latest Eurobarometer poll.
Within the next five years, 7% would like to move out of choice, while 4% would move out of necessity.
The highest percentages of people willing to leave were found in Portugal and Hungary, with 16% each, followed by France (15%), and Greece and Poland, at 12% each.
On the other side of the spectrum, the highest shares of respondents who ruled out voluntarily moving away from their region soon were found in the Netherlands (94%) and Croatia (90%).
People who may pack up and leave—whether by choice or necessity—mainly do so because they can't find quality jobs or have limited economic opportunities (29%).
Fed up with politics: Maltese and Slovaks most unhappy
However, almost a quarter (23%) of respondents say they feel they are being pushed away by a lack of trust in the political environment of their region or country.
The highest levels of discontent among those wishing to leave were reported in Slovakia (50%), Malta (45%), Luxembourg (38%), Croatia and Hungary (both 36%).
Spaniards, Greeks and Czechs looking for affordable properties
One-fifth (22%) of those planning to leave point to the lack of affordable quality housing, which remains one of the most pressing issues across the continent.
The housing crisis is hardest felt in Spain: 40% of people living here say that would be the main reason to migrate. Czechs also reported a high rate, at 30%.
According to the latest European Housing Trend report, high housing costs are holding back 64% of potential buyers.
Among them, 40% can't save up for a deposit, particularly in the Czech Republic (60%) and Greece (58%).
No rent hassles in the Balkans?
The European Housing Trend report also indicates which EU countries have the highest percentages of homeowners.
Romanians (85%), Croatians (83%), Bulgarians (80%), Brits (75%), Hungarians and Italians (72%) are the most likely to own a property, while Maltese (46%), Germans (34%) and Swiss (30%) are the least likely to be in this situation.
