I don’t understand how people can live like this and not consider emigration.
To where?
Somewhere with a substantial pay reduction that does NOT want me there and likely requires I learn a new language in midlife.
I’m fine, it’s not a hellscape here, there are problems everywhere.
Unfortunately, true. Countries in the Anglosphere generally don’t allow immigration at all past the age of 50 or 55 unless you’re married to a citizen or something, so odds are good you aren’t even eligible to get in by the time you hit midlife.
And going outside of the Anglosphere requires becoming fluent in a language other than English - and even then it’s not so easy to immigrate.
Of course, one can always head to Svalbard - they don’t require work visas or residence visas, as per https://www.sysselmesteren.no/en/entry-and-residence/ - but it’s pretty cold that close to the North Pole. Plus you’d have to learn Norwegian.
Coming from someone who successfully did exactly that - because it’s quite tough. Immigration to most countries is quite competitive and expensive, with a lot of hoops to jump through. Those who can do it typically are much better off than the average Tommy and Gina (edit: Bon Jovi for those downvoters who don’t get the reference).
