How the ‘American Dream’ Keeps Immigrants Stuck in Survival Mode
The Idea of Comfortable Survival. Preface 298th on working Ideas.
The person living in a developing country like Nigeria has a greater chance to accomplish significant success at a global pace compared to an immigrant in developed countries.
An immigrant often spends most of their life starting from the ground up when they arrive in a new country. They barely have a chance to establish themselves quickly because most opportunities have already been maximized by those who have been in the system for years. To catch up, they must start at the country’s economic level, which requires either substantial investment or exceptional expertise.
Systemic Barriers for Immigrants in Developed Countries
- Employment & Career Progression: Immigrants often face lower employment rates and earnings compared to natives, even when they have similar qualifications. According to an OECD (2020) report, immigrants earn 15–30% less than their native-born counterparts in most developed countries.
- Credential Recognition & Skill Underutilization: Many immigrants struggle with having their degrees and experience recognized, forcing them into lower-skilled jobs. A World Bank study found that 40–50% of skilled immigrants in the U.S. and Canada work in jobs below their qualification levels.
- Cost of Living & Financial Constraints: Developed economies are structured for people to live stable middle-class lives, but not necessarily to establish wealth easily. A 2023 LendingClub report found that 63% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, making it difficult for immigrants to accumulate wealth while covering basic expenses and supporting families back home.
The Advantage of Being in a Developing Country
In contrast, developing countries like Nigeria offer abundant opportunities for establishment due to their rapidly expanding economic landscape. Unlike developed countries, where systemic barriers slow down upward mobility, developing economies allow individuals to position themselves as key players in emerging industries.
- Untapped Market Potential: Nigeria’s fintech sector alone has attracted over $2 billion in investments in recent years, showing the massive opportunity for entrepreneurs.
- First-Mover Advantage: Local entrepreneurs understand the terrain better, giving them an edge over foreign investors who require local partners to navigate market complexities.
- Higher Risk, Higher Reward: Developing economies come with instability, but they also offer higher returns on investment. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is projected to boost Africa’s GDP by $450 billion by 2035, creating new avenues for wealth accumulation.
The Speed Factor: Developing vs. Developed Nations
- Developed Countries Mask Speed with Stability: The social safety nets in developed countries (unemployment benefits, healthcare, etc.) can create a sense of comfort, leading many immigrants into a cycle of “comfortable survival” rather than aggressively pursuing wealth.
- Developing Countries Force Urgency: In countries like Nigeria, the economic landscape does not camouflage the speed at which things move. It is super clear to everyone — you’re either moving forward, or you’re being left behind. The urgency to establish wealth is immediate, pushing ambitious individuals to act faster.
While developed nations provide stability, developing nations provide opportunity at scale for those who understand the terrain. Foreign investors recognize this and often seek partnerships with local entrepreneurs who can help them gain market access. This allows individuals in developing countries to amass enough wealth to participate in the global economy at a competitive speed.
On the other hand, the average immigrant in a developed country may, out of convenience and the structured system, spend decades working paycheck to paycheck, unaware of how much time is passing. The lack of opportunities for establishment forces many into a lifetime of financial catch-up rather than wealth creation.
In conclusion ,
By available data, it is clear that while developed countries offer financial stability, they also impose structural limitations that make it harder for immigrants to establish themselves as key players. Meanwhile, developing countries, despite their risks, offer clear opportunities for those who can navigate their economic landscape. Those who recognize and leverage this reality can accelerate their global success at a much faster pace than an immigrant trying to break through in a developed nation.
(this article is written solely by me with help from data gotten by GPT to confirm the accuracy of my argument with available data on daily reality)
