Migration to UK hits lowest level since 2021

Net migration to the UK stood at an estimated 171,000 in the year to December 2025, down nearly a half (48%) from 331,000 in the previous 12 months, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

It is the lowest figure since early 2021, when the post-Brexit immigration system was introduced, and Covid-19 travel restrictions were still in place.

Net migration is the difference between the number of people moving long-term to the UK and the number of people leaving the country.

An estimated 813,000 people immigrated to the UK in the year to June, while 642,000 emigrated.

The continued fall in net migration is being driven by fewer people from outside the EU arriving in the UK for work, the ONS said.

More British nationals are estimated to have left the UK in the year to December 2025 (246,000) than moved to the country (110,000), the ONS said.

It was a similar picture for nationals from “EU-plus countries” – covering the 27 members of the EU plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland – with a higher number emigrating from the UK (118,000) than immigrating (76,000).

By contrast, more people from outside the EU moved to the UK in 2025 (627,000) than left (278,000).