The World’s Cultural Collapse: What is Happening in the First World?

Andrea Martinez, May 5, 2025

The world is changing, and not for the better. Across Europe, Australia, and North America, once-safe, familiar places are becoming chaotic and unrecognizable. Many people no longer feel at home in their own countries. So they’re asking: should we stay and fight for what’s left, or find a new home where our values are still respected?

A Loss of Culture and Safety

Immigration is nothing new. But the speed and scale of it today is overwhelming communities. In Sweden, for example, cities like Malmö have become so culturally mixed that locals say they feel like foreigners in their own neighborhoods. This cultural shift is especially troubling when newcomers refuse to adapt to the values and laws of their new country, and worse, when governments encourage this by pressuring locals to adapt and include this new culture into their lives to avoid being labeled offensive or xenophobic. But if someone leaves their country because they see another as better, why try to turn the new place into what they originally fled from? A 2024 Reuters report revealed how Swedish isn’t even spoken in some areas anymore. A similar story is unfolding in Ireland, where a mother shared that her young son came home from school in tears because he couldn’t understand the other kids. Most of them spoke different languages from their home countries, which is understandable—they're just children—but they should still be encouraged to learn the local language so they can truly become part of their new home. She also said her neighborhood now feels unfamiliar and no longer safe to walk around like it once was.

We’ve seen it firsthand too. At the airport in Barcelona, we stepped into an elevator with a group of people, an older couple and three younger immigrants. It seemed like one man was helping the older woman, while the other woman stood near the older man. Suddenly the older woman started yelling. We realized the younger woman was stealing from the man’s bag while the others distracted them. Our friend caught on and confronted her, but she slipped out quickly. Later, we learned this is common in that airport, groups working together to target travelers. When we finally landed in Panama, we felt a huge sense of relief.

This kind of thing is becoming more common across Europe. People no longer speak the same language, or share the same values. Traditions are disappearing. In parts of London, British pubs and churches are empty while mosques and foreign markets take their place. A 2023 BBC article said many locals feel that their country’s identity is fading.

Canada is also seeing big changes. The government’s decision to bring in 1.5 million immigrants between 2023 and 2025 caused a housing crisis and overwhelmed services. Many Canadians feel like their neighborhoods have changed overnight, and not for the better.

The 2025 Canadian Elections: A Missed Chance

When Canadians re-elected the Liberal Party under Mark Carney in 2025, it was a sign the country wasn’t ready to change direction. Despite rising concerns about immigration, unaffordable housing, and growing division, the same policies were chosen again.

Carney’s win shows that Canada is still embracing globalist ideas that have weakened the country’s identity and economy. Lawlessness is rising. Morals are fading. What was once called “right” is now mocked, and what was once wrong is celebrated. If you value faith, family, freedom, or truth, it’s time to think seriously about where you want to live.

In 2013, Justin Trudeau was elected as the leader of the Liberal Party and led the party to a majority government in the 2015 federal election.

The Slide into Socialism and Confusion

Across the West, socialism is growing, higher taxes, more rules, and less freedom. But worse than the politics is the cultural collapse. Free speech, responsibility, and moral clarity are being replaced by cancel culture, identity politics, and confusion.

Take the 2024 pro-Hamas protests in U.S. and Canadian universities. Some students even cheered for Hamas after the October 7 attacks that killed 1,200 Israelis. This isn’t just free speech, it shows how far our education system has fallen. People are praising terrorists instead of standing for truth.

Right and wrong are no longer clear. Crimes during protests are seen as “activism.” Meanwhile, traditional values like respecting laws are called “outdated.” A 2024 BBC report said that many no longer trust their governments or institutions, and you can feel it everywhere.

Why Latin America Makes Sense Now

More and more people are heading to Latin America, for safety, simplicity, and a chance to live among like-minded people. Countries like Panama, Paraguay, Costa Rica, Argentina, Nicaragua, and El Salvador are becoming safe havens for those escaping the cultural chaos.

El Salvador

President Nayib Bukele has cracked down on gang violence and made the country dramatically safer. In 2024, over 80% of voters supported him.

Argentina

Under President Javier Milei, Argentina is rejecting socialism and promoting free markets and traditional values. It’s drawing in freedom-minded expats who want a fresh start.

Panama and Costa Rica: 

These stable, peaceful countries offer business-friendly policies, low crime, and welcoming communities. In fact, CNN reported (who knew??) in 2024 that more Americans and Canadians are moving to Costa Rica to escape the cultural confusion back home. And we are seeing the same rise in Panama. 

Paraguay: With low taxes and a strong cultural foundation, it’s becoming a top choice for those who want to live more freely and affordably.

Nicaragua: 

You might be surprised to see Nicaragua on this list, but it’s quickly becoming a top spot for expats seeking freedom, safety, and opportunity. It never locked down during COVID, letting people make their own health choices. While some call it a socialist country, the truth is more complex. The government supports private businesses and traditional values. We’ve personally invested in property and a business there. We visit at least twice a year and always feel safe. For us, and many others, it’s one of the most promising, beautiful and affordable places to live and invest today.

Time to Choose

The world is changing fast, and for many, it’s becoming unrecognizable. Immigration and cultural shifts are turning first-world countries into fractured, unsafe places, like a modern Tower of Babel where no one understands or recognizes each other anymore. The 2025 Canadian elections showed that many people haven't learned from their mistakes. Issues like pro-Hamas protests and the blurring of right and wrong point to deeper problems in education and society.

It’s time to decide: stay and fight or find a new home. Places like Latin American countries offer hope for those who want to preserve their culture and live in safety. Wherever you stand, the need to act is urgent, before it is too late for you or your loved ones.

Latin America may not be perfect, but it’s offering what the West is losing: stability, culture, and a chance to live free and safe.