Net migration
to the UK
falls

8 September 2016

Following the UK’s vote to leave the European Union, we take a look at the most recent long term* migration estimates for EU and non-EU migration to and from the UK.

It is important to note that the figures presented here relate either to the year ending March or June 2016, unless otherwise stated, and as such do not cover the period following the UK’s vote to leave the EU.

Net migration

Net migration to the UK in the year-ending March 2016 has been estimated at 327,000, a decrease of 3% from the previous year. Of this total, 180,000 migrants are of EU citizenship and 190,000 are of non-EU citizenship.

EU migration

Net migration of EU nationals to the UK fell by 2%. Out of the 268,000 EU nationals who came to the UK, around 67% came for work reasons, 14% for study, and 19% for family or other reasons

Non-EU migration

Net migration of non-EU nationals to the UK from fell by 5%, although the number of skilled work visas (Tier 2) granted over the same period rose by 1%. This rise can be attributed to a rise in the short-term migration of non-EU nationals to the UK using the Tier 2 Intra-company Transfer visa category.

Work

303,000 people migrated to the UK for work reasons, with around 62% of these being EU nationals, 24% non-EU citizens and 14% British nationals. There are currently 33,609 organisations registered to sponsor (employ) non-EU nationals in the UK.

Study

Long-term immigration to the UK for study fell by 16% to 164,000. This is the lowest estimate since 2007 and can be attributed to a significant decrease in the number of non-EEA nationals choosing the UK to study. Of the 164,000 individuals who did choose the UK for study reasons, 23% of these were EU citizens and 72% were non-EU citizens.

Family

The third most popular reason behind migration to the UK is to accompany or join family members who are already here. In the year ending June 2016 there was a 10% increase (38,805) in the number of family route visas which were granted.

Emigration

306,000 people emigrated from the UK this past year, with 55% of emigrants leaving for work-related reasons.

Settlement in the UK

36% fewer (67,414) non-EU nationals were granted permission to permanently stay in the UK.

*Long-term migration is based on those migrants who have moved to the UK for a period of at least 12 months

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