UK Net Migration Statistics
Live UK net migration counter 2026. Net migration to the UK was 685,000 in the year to June 2023 — the highest on record — according to ONS international migration statistics.
About These Statistics
Net migration to the UK — the difference between the number of people arriving and the number leaving — was 685,000 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?
Net migration to the UK was 685,000 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.