Latest UK Migration Stats 2017
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) recently released its latest UK migration figures for the year ending March 2017.
According to the report, net long-term migration to the UK amounted to 246,000 over the 12 months preceding March 2017. This signifies a drop of 81,000 compared with the previous year. The net migration change was driven by an increase in emigration, mainly of EU citizens and in particular EU8 citizens.
The report also details that in the year ending March 2017:
- A total of 588,000 people immigrated to the UK. This is a substantial decrease from 638,000 in the previous year.
- An estimated 342,000 people emigrated from the UK. This is a substantial increase from 311,000 in the previous year.
- More than half of the change in net migration can be attributed to a decrease in net migration of EU citizens (down 51,000).
- A total of 275,000 migrants came to the UK for work-related reasons. Whilst down 28,000 on the previous year, this difference was not statistically significant. However, it is the lowest recorded estimate since September 2014.
- Work-related Tier 2 visas granted for main applicants and their dependants totalled 92,805.
- Immigration to the UK for study reasons dropped 16% to 139,000. However, the total number of non-European Economic Area sponsored applications to study at universities in the UK rose by 5%.
Whilst providing the fullest picture yet of immigration since the EU referendum, the new figures leave business leaders fearing the implications for the UK’s labour market post-Brexit.
To access the latest migration statistics as detailed in the ONS report please click here.
