Net migration to the UK has significantly decreased, with figures for the year ending June 2024 dropping to 728,000, a 20% decline from 906,000 the previous year, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The decrease is primarily attributed to tightened visa policies introduced earlier in 2024. The ONS highlighted that the reduction is mainly due to fewer dependants arriving on study visas. New rules implemented in January barred many international students from bringing dependants, leading to a drop of 94,000 in study visa applications compared to 2023. Similarly, restrictions introduced in March prevented care workers from bringing family members.
Although applications for skilled worker visas saw a slight increase early in 2024, numbers have declined since April, following changes to the list of eligible jobs.
During this period, 1.2 million people migrated to the UK. Of these, 86% were non-EU nationals, 10% were EU nationals, and 5% were British. Indian nationals comprised the largest group of non-EU migrants, with 116,000 arriving for work and 127,000 for education. Dependants accompanying work visa holders increased to 233,000 from 166,000 in the previous year, though recent trends suggest a decline.
Emigration also rose, with 479,000 people leaving the UK by June 2024, up from 414,000 the previous year. EU nationals accounted for 44% of those leaving, followed by 39% non-EU nationals, and 16% British citizens.
