Net Migration to the UK Drops by 50%
According to the latest official immigration statistics published today, annual net migration to the UK has decreased to 431,000. This marks an almost 50% reduction from a high of 860,000 recorded last year.
Net migration is calculated as the difference between the number of people entering and leaving the UK. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) explains that several factors have contributed to this record high, including a significant decline in non-EU+* nationals arriving on work and study-related visas. Coupled with an 11% increase in emigration over the same period, these factors have resulted in a substantial decrease in net migration over the past 12 months.
*EU+ is all EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
The latest figures cover the period up to the end of December 2024. Mary Gregory, Director of Population Statistics at the ONS, stated:
“Our provisional estimates show net migration has nearly halved compared with the previous year, driven largely by falling numbers of people coming to the UK for work and study, particularly student dependants.”
She added:
“This follows recent policy changes that have restricted visa applications. There has also been an increase in emigration over the 12 months to December 2024, especially among those who originally came on study visas once pandemic travel restrictions were eased.”
Below are the key points from the latest data:
- 948,000 – The provisional estimate for total long-term immigration up to December 2024. This is nearly a third lower than the previous year.
- 517,000 – The provisional estimate for total long-term emigration up to December 2024, representing an approximately 11% increase compared to the previous year.
- 108,000 – Fewer non-EU+ nationals entered the UK for work purposes.
- 105,000 – Fewer people entered the UK as study dependants.
- 81,000 – Fewer individuals entered the UK as work dependants.
Net Migration by EU+, Non-EU+, and British Nationalities
Long-term net migration involves people relocating their usual residence for 12 months or more. In the latest estimates:
- Net migration for non-EU+ nationals increased by 544,000.
- Net migration for EU+ nationals decreased by 96,000.
- Net migration for British nationals decreased by 17,000.
Among non-EU+ nationals coming to the UK for a year or more, the main reasons were:
- Study-related reasons: 266,000 people
- Work-related reasons: 262,000 people
- Asylum: 95,000 people
- Family reasons: 76,000 people
- Humanitarian visas (including British National (Overseas), Ukraine Scheme, and Resettlement): 51,000 people
Decline in Work & Study Immigration
The number of people moving to the UK long-term for study and work purposes has fallen significantly—by approximately 37% and 42%, respectively. This decline is partly due to immigration rule changes introduced at the start of 2024, which included restrictions on most overseas students and care workers bringing family members, as well as increased salary thresholds for Skilled Worker visas.
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