Latest
UK Migration
Statistics

20 March 2015

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) recently released its latest UK migration figures for the year ending September 2014.

According to the report, net long-term migration to the UK amounted to 298,000 over the 12 months preceding September 2014. This signifies a rise of 80,000 on the previous year.  However, despite this increase, the figures are still well below the all-time high of 2005 when the UK saw a net-migration total of 320,000 in the year ending June 2005.

The report also details that in the year ending September 2014:

  • A total of 624,000 people immigrated to the UK. This is a substantial increase from 530,000 in the previous year.
  • An estimated 327,000 people emigrated from the UK. This is a relatively consistent figure which demonstrates a rise of only 7,000 since the year ending September 2013.
  • A total of 271,000 migrants came to the UK for work-related reasons and this shows a rise of almost 20% on the previous year’s numbers. Of those immigrating to the UK for work-related reasons, around 63% came with a definite job to go to and 38% came with a view to finding work.
  • Work-related visas granted for main applicants totalled 115,680, a rise of 8,333 (8%) from the previous year.
  • Immigration to the UK for study reasons has increased to 192,000. Over the same 12-month period, visa applications to study at UK universities rose by 2% to 171,065.
  • The number of people arriving in the UK to accompany or join others rose significantly from 66,000 to 90,000.

The figures also detail that the highest proportion of immigration to the UK is made up of non-EU nationals, showing that the UK is still a global destination for many in search of world-class education and career advancement.

To access the latest migration statistics as detailed in the ONS report please click here.

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