UK Immigration Statistics: Net Migration, Arrivals and Departures Data

What the figures mean

Long-term net migration is the difference between people who arrive in the UK for 12 months or more (immigration) and people who leave the UK for 12 months or more (emigration). In the year ending December 2025, 813,000 people made a long-term move to the UK and 642,000 people left, giving net migration of 171,000. Net migration adds to the UK population; net emigration would reduce it. A person counts as a long-term migrant regardless of their nationality -- British citizens, EU nationals and non-EU nationals who move for a year or more are all included.

These figures are provisional and subject to revision. ONS has substantially revised its migration estimates in recent years as it switched from the old International Passenger Survey method to new administrative data sources (Home Office borders data and DWP tax and benefits records). The revised figures show that migration peaked higher and then fell faster than previously estimated. Net migration in the year to March 2023 is now estimated at 944,000, higher than the previously-published peak estimate.

Why net migration fell so sharply

Net migration peaked at 944,000 in March 2023 and has since fallen to 171,000 in the year ending December 2025 -- a reduction of over 770,000. The fall was driven almost entirely by a reduction in non-EU+ immigration and an increase in emigration among the same group. The main causes were UK government policy changes introduced in 2024 and 2025:

In January 2024, overseas students were restricted from bringing family members to the UK. In April 2024, the minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas was raised sharply from 26,200 pounds to 38,700 pounds (with some exceptions for shortage occupations). In March 2024, the salary threshold for family visas (bringing a spouse or partner to the UK) was raised from 18,600 pounds to 29,000 pounds (with a further planned rise). These changes reduced the flow of dependants accompanying students and workers by a substantial amount and cut the number of new Skilled Worker visa grants.

Who is immigrating to the UK

In the year ending December 2025, non-EU+ immigration was the largest component at 627,000, though this was 20% lower than the previous year. Of non-EU arrivals, 44% came primarily to study at UK universities -- the largest single reason. Around 11% came primarily for work, 14% were asylum seekers, and the remainder came for family or other reasons. Indian nationals were the largest single nationality group, accounting for 17% of overall immigration.

EU+ nationals showed negative net migration -- more EU+ nationals left the UK than arrived. This reflects the long-term change following the end of freedom of movement in January 2021, after which EU nationals have needed visas to live and work in the UK. British nationals also showed negative net migration of 136,000 -- more British people left the UK than returned, a pattern driven by emigration for career and lifestyle reasons, particularly among younger adults.

Asylum seekers and small boat crossings

People who enter the UK without permission -- for example in small boats across the Channel -- are included in ONS migration statistics only if they claim asylum. Those who do not claim asylum and are not otherwise recorded are not captured in the official figures. The asylum component of immigration was approximately 14% of non-EU arrivals in the year ending December 2025. Unlike other migrants, asylum seekers have relatively low emigration rates while their claims are being processed, so their net contribution to the population is larger than the gross immigration figure suggests.

Long-term projections

ONS's 2024-based National Population Projections use a long-term net migration assumption of 230,000 per year from mid-2027 onwards. This figure is calculated as a 10-year average of historical data, deliberately excluding the exceptional years 2022, 2023 and 2024 as short-term outliers. The assumption is not a government policy target or a forecast -- it is a modelling convention intended to show what would happen to the population if migration settled at the historical average level.

Immigration and the labour market

International migration has a significant effect on the UK labour market. Migrants fill vacancies across a wide range of sectors. The health and social care sector has been particularly dependent on international recruitment: the NHS and social care sector accounted for a substantial share of Skilled Worker visa grants in 2022 and 2023, as the UK sought to address workforce shortages that predated the pandemic and were intensified by it. The tightening of immigration rules in 2024-25 has reduced international recruitment flows, which may contribute to continued workforce shortfalls in health and care.

What is UK net migration in 2025?

Net migration was 171,000 in the year ending December 2025, according to provisional ONS estimates. This is down sharply from the peak of 944,000 in March 2023. Net migration is now close to pre-2021 levels.

How many people immigrated to the UK in 2025?

Approximately 813,000 people made a long-term move to the UK in the year ending December 2025. This compares with 642,000 who left, giving net migration of 171,000. The immigration figure fell significantly from an estimated 1,012,000 the previous year.

Why has net migration fallen?

The sharp fall in net migration since the 2023 peak reflects UK government policy changes, primarily: restricting overseas students from bringing family members (January 2024); raising the minimum salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas to 38,700 pounds (April 2024); and raising the minimum income threshold for family visas. These reduced dependant immigration and new visa grants substantially.

What are the main reasons people immigrate to the UK?

For non-EU nationals -- the largest component of immigration -- the main reasons in year ending December 2025 were study (44% of non-EU arrivals), work (11%) and asylum (14%). Indian nationals were the largest single nationality group (17% of total immigration).

When is the next ONS migration statistics release?

ONS publishes long-term international migration estimates twice yearly. The next release is expected in November 2026 (YE June 2026), covering the year ending June 2026.