Net migration 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.
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 Syrian Arab Republic 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)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.2666 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.169 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate -0.184 (2100)
- Population density 307.14 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 3.21 million (2100)
- Population growth rate by level of development -0.184 (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 0.2667 % change on previous year (2030)
- Fertility and wanted fertility, annual growth rate -0.5769 % change on previous year (2024)
- Refugee population by country or territory of asylum, gaps filled 515,677 (2024)
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
CSV · JSON — 66 observations, free to reuse under UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required).