Net migration to the UK halves last year
The difference between the number of people moving to the UK and leaving the country is estimated to have halved in 2024
Net migration to the UK has halved in the past year, marking the largest drop since the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic
New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that an estimated 431,000 more people arrived in the UK than left in the year ending December 2024, down from 860,000 in the previous 12 months—a 49.9% decrease.
ONS Director of Population Statistics Mary Gregory said: “Our provisional estimates show net migration has almost halved compared with the previous year, driven by falling numbers of people coming to work and study, particularly student dependants. This follows policy changes brought in restricting visa applications.
“There has also been an increase in emigration over the 12 months to December 2024, especially people leaving who originally came on study visas once pandemic travel restrictions to the UK were eased.”
Immigration falls below one million
The number of people arriving long-term in the UK dropped to 948,000 in 2024, down nearly a third from 1.33 million in 2023 and falling below the one million mark for the first time since March 2022.
Meanwhile, emigration rose to 517,000, an 11% increase from 466,000 a year earlier. That figure brings the number of people leaving the UK back in line with levels last seen in 2017.
The largest drop was seen in non-EU nationals arriving for work, down by 108,000—a 49% decrease. There was also a 17% drop in people arriving to study, while study visa dependants fell by a dramatic 86% (105,000 fewer people). Work dependants dropped by 35%, or 81,000.
Political fallout and policy debate
The fall in migration follows stricter visa rules introduced by the Conservative government in early 2024, aimed at reducing the number of people eligible to come to the UK for work or study.
Former Home Secretary James Cleverly, who spearheaded the changes, claimed the figures validate his approach. He posted on X (formerly Twitter): “This drop is because of the visa rule changes that I put in place. Labour will try to claim credit for these figures but they criticised me at the time, and have failed to fully implement the changes.”
Current Labour Home Secretary Yvette Cooper responded: “The fall in net migration is welcome after the figures quadrupled to nearly a million in the last parliament.” She added: “Our Immigration White Paper sets out radical reforms to further reduce net migration.”
Who is leaving the UK?
Among those emigrating, non-EU nationals made up 43% (222,000 people), while EU nationals accounted for 42% (218,000). Some 77,000 British nationals also left the country, representing 15% of total emigration.
The figures highlight shifting migration trends in the UK, as the country continues to grapple with balancing labour needs, education demand, and immigration control.