What is the American Opportunity Agenda? | Dan Kowalski

In 2025, data analytics company Gallup asked 144,000 people in 140 countries a survey question they have been asking for decades:

“Ideally, if you had the opportunity, would you like to move permanently to another country, or would you prefer to continue living in this country?”

If the respondent says they would like to move, they are then asked which country they would like to move to.

In 2025, the answer to this question was the same as it has always been. Among those who wish to move, the number one response by a wide margin is the United States of America. If you listen to the mainstream American media, you may be surprised. But our brethren overseas understand that more than any country in the world, America offers opportunity, the ability for anyone to take their shot.

At a time when many Americans are concerned about the state of the economy, we know we need to stay focused on preserving that opportunity for future generations. How do we do that? Enter the American Opportunity Agenda. I sat down with Dan Kowalski, Director of the Grover M Hermann Center for the Federal Budget, to understand exactly what that is.

Email us with thoughts, questions, or suggestions: HeritageExplains@heritage.org

Setting the American Opportunity Agenda Report: https://www.heritage.org/budget-and-spending/report/setting-the-american-opportunity-agenda

More by Dan Kowalski: https://www.heritage.org/staff/daniel-kowalski