UK Net Migration Statistics — 204,000 Per Year
Net migration to the UK was 204,000 in the year to June 2023 — the highest on record — according to ONS international migration statistics.
Net migration to the UK reached 728,000 in the year to June 2023, according to the ONS — down from the record 906,000 in 2022.
Students represent the largest single immigration category, accounting for approximately 43% of long-term arrivals in 2023.
The UK has recorded positive net migration every year since 1993, with the average over the past decade running at approximately 350,000 per year.
About These Statistics
Net migration to the UK — the difference between the number of people arriving and the number leaving — was 204,000 in the year to June 2023, according to ONS International Migration Statistics. This was one of the highest figures ever recorded and represented a significant increase from net migration of approximately 173,000 in the year to June 2019.
Net migration is calculated as long-term international immigration (1.2 million in the year to June 2023) minus long-term emigration (533,000). The largest source countries for immigration include India, Nigeria, China, Pakistan and Zimbabwe. The largest categories of visa granted are study visas (approximately 490,000 per year) and work visas (approximately 341,000 per year).
The increase in net migration since 2021 has been driven primarily by: the expansion of the Graduate Route allowing overseas students to remain and work after completing UK degrees; the Health and Care Worker visa introduced to address NHS and social care staffing gaps; the Ukrainian and Hong Kong humanitarian schemes; and increased asylum seeker arrivals.
The ONS revised its net migration methodology in 2023 to make greater use of administrative data from the Home Office, HMRC and DWP rather than relying solely on the International Passenger Survey. The revised estimates showed considerably higher migration than previously reported, prompting significant political debate.
The government has introduced several measures to reduce net migration including raising salary thresholds for skilled worker visas to £38,700, abolishing the overseas carer route for dependants, increasing the minimum salary for family visas, and restricting the Graduate Route. The impact of these measures on net migration totals will be reflected in subsequent ONS releases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on official UK government data
What is the UK net migration figure for 2026?
Net migration to the UK was 728,000 in the year to June 2023, according to the ONS — down from the record high of 906,000 in 2022. The government's target is to reduce net migration significantly, though no specific annual figure is set in law.
Where do most UK immigrants come from?
The largest sources of long-term immigration to the UK in 2023 were India, Nigeria and China — primarily students and skilled workers. EU net migration has been broadly neutral since Brexit, with roughly equal numbers arriving and leaving.
What is the UK net migration figure?
Net migration to the UK was 204,000 in the year to June 2023 according to ONS International Migration Statistics — one of the highest figures ever recorded. This represents approximately 1.2 million arrivals minus 533,000 departures. Net migration has been at historically elevated levels since 2021, driven by study visas, work visas and humanitarian schemes.
What are the main reasons people migrate to the UK?
The main categories of long-term immigration to the UK are: study (approximately 490,000 visas per year, primarily at universities); work (approximately 341,000 skilled and health and care worker visas); family reunification (approximately 130,000); asylum and humanitarian protection; and other routes. International students from India, China and Nigeria make up the largest groups of study visa holders.
How is UK net migration measured?
UK net migration is estimated by the ONS using a combination of data sources including Home Office visa and border data, HMRC records of National Insurance number registrations, DWP data, and the International Passenger Survey. In 2023 the ONS revised its methodology to give greater weight to administrative data, resulting in significantly higher estimates than previously published figures.
Is UK net migration going up or down?
Net migration to the UK hit a record high of 764,000 in the year to June 2023, before falling to around 204,000 in the year to December 2023. The government has introduced a series of measures to reduce migration including raising the salary threshold for skilled worker visas, restricting student dependants, and tightening family visa rules. The OBR forecasts net migration will fall to around 340,000 per year by 2028, though this has been consistently underestimated in previous forecasts.
Where do most UK immigrants come from?
The largest sources of immigration to the UK are India, Nigeria, China, Pakistan and Zimbabwe, according to ONS international migration statistics. EU migration fell significantly after Brexit, while non-EU migration rose sharply. In 2023, approximately 1.2 million people arrived in the UK — around 400,000 were students, 300,000 were work visa holders, and the remainder included family reunification, asylum seekers and returning UK nationals.
How many people emigrate from the UK each year?
Approximately 500,000 people leave the UK each year. Around half are non-UK nationals leaving after completing studies or work visas. Approximately 130,000 are British nationals emigrating, with popular destinations including Australia, Spain, France, the USA and Canada. Emigration of UK nationals has remained relatively stable over the past decade at between 100,000 and 150,000 per year.
What is the difference between net migration and immigration?
Immigration is the total number of people arriving in the UK — around 1.2 million per year. Emigration is the total number leaving — around 500,000 per year. Net migration is the difference between the two: arrivals minus departures. A net migration figure of 204,000 means the UK population grew by that amount due to international migration alone, before accounting for births and deaths.
How many asylum seekers are there in the UK?
There were approximately 98,000 asylum applications in the UK in 2023, a record high. Around 84,000 people are awaiting an initial decision on their claim. The backlog of unresolved asylum cases peaked at over 175,000 in 2023 before falling as the Home Office accelerated decision-making. Approximately 65% of asylum applications that receive a decision are granted refugee status or humanitarian protection.
UK Net Migration by Year — Historical Data
ONS international migration statistics, long-term estimates.
| Period | Arrivals | Departures | Net Migration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 586,000 | 344,000 | +243,000 |
| 2008 | 590,000 | 427,000 | +163,000 |
| 2012 | 498,000 | 352,000 | +154,000 |
| 2016 | 588,000 | 323,000 | +265,000 |
| 2019 | 609,000 | 385,000 | +224,000 |
| 2021 | 729,000 | 325,000 | +404,000 |
| 2022 | 1,026,000 | 407,000 | +619,000 |
| 2023 (peak) | 1,218,000 | 508,000 | +764,000 |
| 2024 (est.) | 900,000 | 500,000 | ~+400,000 |
Source: ONS International Migration Statistics