Denizen for third culture kids

Here at Denizen, we were curious about the lives of the modern Third Culture Kid. We wanted to learn more about who they were, how often they’d moved, and how they had aged. In August, we conducted an informal online survey of more than 200 Third Culture Kids. The majority of respondents were female, with the average age being 29.

The typical Third Culture Kid has moved at least once by their 5th birthday, and will move at least four times in their life. They speak at least two languages and have a 4-year college-degree. One in ten speak four languages. Three in ten have a Master’s Degree.

Roughly half are in a relationship. Roughly half are not. The majority of those in a relationship have been dating someone for at least five years. Sixty percent want to raise their kids as TCKs. Ten percent don’t want kids.

But most interestingly, they have no plans on sticking around. When asked if they would stay in their current city two years from now, seventy percent of respondents said no or not sure. When we asked about five years from now, the number jumped to 92 percent.

And what do they most frequently say when asked “Where are you from?”

The response: “It’s complicated.”

Infographic for Denizen by Elaina Natario