A study by the financial services firm Remitly reveals that more than nine out of ten migrants feel nostalgia while living abroad, and Mexico stands out among the countries where this feeling is most intense. Mexico is among the countries where people miss home the most. According to the study, 96% of Mexicans living abroad have experienced nostalgia at some point, placing it among the highest levels globally. However, there are clear triggers: talking to family, going through difficult moments, or missing important celebrations. This emotional component reveals a reality not visible in migration figures: while economic opportunities motivate departure, the emotional cost remains a constant in the migrant experience. Beyond distance: the emotional cost of migrating. Migration is often analyzed through economic or labor indicators, but this study highlights an equally relevant element: the emotional impact. In the case of Mexico, where family and cultural identity are central, nostalgia becomes an inevitable extension for those seeking new opportunities outside the country. More than a figure, the data reflects a shared reality: for millions of Mexicans, leaving the country does not mean leaving their roots behind, but carrying them with them, even when the weight of distance is felt daily. However, in the Mexican case, the phenomenon takes on a particular dimension due to the strong cultural identity and family ties that characterize society. What weighs most when far away. The study identifies family as the main thing missed, at 80%, followed by friends (62%) and food and drink (54%). Living abroad involves much more than adapting to a new culture or language. For millions of migrants, distance is also measured in emotions. Almost half of those surveyed (49%) say it appears suddenly. This data not only positions the country in the ranking but reflects a deep connection with the family, cultural, and social environment. Far from being an isolated fact, the trend is global: countries like the Philippines, South Africa, and Canada have similar figures. This last element underscores the role of gastronomic culture as an emotional anchor for those living abroad. Additionally, aspects like language (36%) and climate (34%) also influence the feeling of disconnection, showing that nostalgia is not due to a single factor but to a set of daily experiences lost when migrating. Nostalgia, a constant emotion. The feeling of missing home is not always predictable.
