Net migration (UNICEF) in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Net migration was 389,911 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
389,911
Change on year
down 6.5%
World rank
3rd
of 74 countries
All-time high
487,029
in 2022
All-time low
-83,876
in 1981
Years of data
66
1960–2025
Net migration in United Kingdom, 1960–2025
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for net migration in United Kingdom is 389,911, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 6.5% on the previous year and up 12.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in United Kingdom peaked at 487,029 in 2022 and was at its lowest, -83,876, in 1981.
That places United Kingdom 3rd out of 74 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Net migration in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 19,953 | — |
| 1961 | 52,295 | +162.1% |
| 1962 | 76,443 | +46.2% |
| 1963 | 8,271 | -89.2% |
| 1964 | -23,885 | -388.8% |
| 1965 | -24,955 | +4.5% |
| 1966 | -27,935 | +11.9% |
| 1967 | -39,659 | +42.0% |
| 1968 | -38,852 | -2.0% |
| 1969 | -60,655 | +56.1% |
| 1970 | -15,254 | -74.9% |
| 1971 | 1,175 | -107.7% |
| 1972 | -1,406 | -219.7% |
| 1973 | -33,840 | +2306.8% |
| 1974 | -65,710 | +94.2% |
| 1975 | -40,241 | -38.8% |
| 1976 | -19,135 | -52.4% |
| 1977 | -21,636 | +13.1% |
| 1978 | 3,783 | -117.5% |
| 1979 | 11,255 | +197.5% |
| 1980 | -25,187 | -323.8% |
| 1981 | -83,876 | +233.0% |
| 1982 | -61,152 | -27.1% |
| 1983 | 27,063 | -144.3% |
| 1984 | 71,107 | +162.7% |
| 1985 | 83,164 | +17.0% |
| 1986 | 41,836 | -49.7% |
| 1987 | 8,266 | -80.2% |
| 1988 | 13,952 | +68.8% |
| 1989 | 49,586 | +255.4% |
| 1990 | 57,132 | +15.2% |
| 1991 | 27,601 | -51.7% |
| 1992 | 17,846 | -35.3% |
| 1993 | 27,403 | +53.6% |
| 1994 | 45,339 | +65.5% |
| 1995 | 61,385 | +35.4% |
| 1996 | 54,964 | -10.5% |
| 1997 | 59,723 | +8.7% |
| 1998 | 125,541 | +110.2% |
| 1999 | 152,653 | +21.6% |
| 2000 | 153,917 | +0.8% |
| 2001 | 175,133 | +13.8% |
| 2002 | 203,577 | +16.2% |
| 2003 | 211,846 | +4.1% |
| 2004 | 276,077 | +30.3% |
| 2005 | 308,279 | +11.7% |
| 2006 | 288,923 | -6.3% |
| 2007 | 309,385 | +7.1% |
| 2008 | 263,390 | -14.9% |
| 2009 | 249,639 | -5.2% |
| 2010 | 274,811 | +10.1% |
| 2011 | 228,773 | -16.8% |
| 2012 | 172,088 | -24.8% |
| 2013 | 237,272 | +37.9% |
| 2014 | 306,091 | +29.0% |
| 2015 | 347,839 | +13.6% |
| 2016 | 324,649 | -6.7% |
| 2017 | 272,311 | -16.1% |
| 2018 | 259,744 | -4.6% |
| 2019 | 232,727 | -10.4% |
| 2020 | 144,221 | -38.0% |
| 2021 | 462,967 | +221.0% |
| 2022 | 487,029 | +5.2% |
| 2023 | 445,523 | -8.5% |
| 2024 | 417,114 | -6.4% |
| 2025 | 389,911 | -6.5% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 389,911 is above the median for high income countries, which is 9,502, 41.0× the median. (42 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 389,911 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 158, 2467.8× the median. (52 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Net migration in United Kingdom changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | -2306.8% | -1,406 | -33,840 |
| 1964 | -388.8% | 8,271 | -23,885 |
| 1980 | -323.8% | 11,255 | -25,187 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | -5,898 | -60,655 | 76,443 | 10 |
| 1970s | -18,101 | -65,710 | 11,255 | 10 |
| 1980s | 12,476 | -83,876 | 83,164 | 10 |
| 1990s | 62,959 | 17,846 | 152,653 | 10 |
| 2000s | 244,017 | 153,917 | 309,385 | 10 |
| 2010s | 265,630 | 172,088 | 347,839 | 10 |
| 2020s | 391,128 | 144,221 | 487,029 | 6 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
- 1 Ukraine 1.70 million compare
- 2 Syria 421,693 compare
- 4 Sudan 291,469 compare
- 5 United Arab Emirates 158,634 compare
- 6 Saudi Arabia 119,738 compare
More population data for United Kingdom
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 71,685 Persons (2050)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.0706 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.1791 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.1389 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.1791 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 3.21 million people (2100)
- Population density 307.14 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.2% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.169 % change on previous year (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in United Kingdom?
- Net migration in United Kingdom was 389,911 in 2025, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 487,029 in 2022.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was -83,876 in 1981.
- How does United Kingdom rank for net migration?
- United Kingdom ranks 3rd out of 74 countries with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is up 12.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Net migration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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