-- Asian Countries Presenting Different Pictures
-- New Study by UniGroup Relocation Shows Global Moves to/from U.S.
HONG KONG, 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).
Japan moved up on the destination list from 11th to 10th, and it also moved from 10th to 8th on the origin list in 2012. Hong Kong joined the ranking at the 15th spot on the top origin countries after not making the list in 2011, and dropped to 15th among the destination countries from 12th in 2011. In 2012, Mainland China had an equal balance of shipments to and from the U.S.
While in 2008, 2009 and 2010 there were more moves from the U.S. to Mainland China than moves from Mainland China to the U.S., this disparity leveled out in 2012. The U.S. continues to be a top country of origin for residents moving to the Asia Pacific region.
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/Regions to the U.S.
1. United Kingdom
2. Germany
3. Canada
4. Mainland 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/Regionsfrom the U.S.
1. Germany
2. United Kingdom
3. Australia
4. Mainland 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:
Asia Pacific
Japan moved up on the destination list from 11th to 10th, and it also moved from 10th to 8th on the origin list in 2012. Hong Kong joined the ranking at the 15th spot on the top origin countries after not making the list in 2011, and dropped to 15th among the destination countries from 12th in 2011. In 2012, Mainland China had an equal balance of shipments to and from the U.S.
Europe
European countries moved up on the list of top destination countries: In comparison to 2011 data, France moved to 6th from 7th, the Netherlands to 8th from 9th and Italy to 13th from 14th. France also appeared on the top origin list moving up from 5th to 7th, along with Belgium moving from 14th to 12th.
Canada
Canada jumped up the list of top origin countries to 3rd from 12th.
Central and South America
Brazil made the 14th spot on the top origin list, and moved up to 11th from 13th 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 36th 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.
