Net migration metrics in United Kingdom

United Kingdom: Net migration metrics was 445,523 in 2023. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2023)
445,523
Change on year
down 8.5%
World rank
6th
of 236 countries
All-time high
487,029
in 2022
All-time low
-93,691
in 1951
Years of data
74
1950–2023

Net migration metrics in United Kingdom, 1950–2023

0200.0k400.0k195019862023

Source: Our World in Data.

Analysis

The most recent figure for net migration metrics in United Kingdom is 445,523, measured in 2023.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 8.5% on the previous year and up 87.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, net migration metrics in United Kingdom peaked at 487,029 in 2022 and was at its lowest, -93,691, in 1951.

That places United Kingdom 6th out of 236 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Net migration metrics in United Kingdom, year by year

Annual values for Net migration metrics in United Kingdom, 1950 to 2023.
Year Value Change
1950 151,663 —
1951 -93,691 -161.8%
1952 7,995 -108.5%
1953 15,385 +92.4%
1954 13,400 -12.9%
1955 9,403 -29.8%
1956 16,200 +72.3%
1957 17,875 +10.3%
1958 25,213 +41.1%
1959 19,006 -24.6%
1960 19,953 +5.0%
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%

United Kingdom compared with similar countries

  • United Kingdom's 445,523 is above the median for high income countries, which is 5,173, 86.1× the median. (85 countries reporting)
  • United Kingdom's 445,523 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 5,053, 88.2× the median. (56 countries reporting)

Biggest year-on-year movements

Years where Net migration metrics 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.

YearChange FromTo
1973 -2306.8% -1,406 -33,840
1964 -388.8% 8,271 -23,885
1980 -323.8% 11,255 -25,187

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1950s 18,245 -93,691 151,663 10
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 384,935 144,221 487,029 4

Countries ranked near United Kingdom

  1. 3 Germany 609,553 compare
  2. 4 Chad 496,830 compare
  3. 5 South Sudan 455,000 compare
  4. 7 Canada 433,842 compare
  5. 8 Saudi Arabia 325,691 compare
  6. 9 Egypt 305,006 compare

See the full ranking of 236 places →

More population data for United Kingdom

All data for United Kingdom →

Frequently asked questions

What is net migration metrics in United Kingdom?
Net migration metrics in United Kingdom was 445,523 in 2023, according to Our World in Data.
What is the highest net migration metrics recorded in United Kingdom?
The highest recorded value was 487,029 in 2022.
What is the lowest net migration metrics recorded in United Kingdom?
The lowest recorded value was -93,691 in 1951.
How does United Kingdom rank for net migration metrics?
United Kingdom ranks 6th out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
Is net migration metrics rising or falling in United Kingdom?
Over the last ten years it is up 87.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Net migration metrics. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Net migration metrics in United Kingdom. Statizoid, drawing on Our World in Data. Retrieved 11 November 2026, from https://population.statizoid.com/stat/net-migration-metrics/united-kingdom/

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About this data

Indicator
Net migration metrics
Source
Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
236 places, 17,464 data points, 1950–2023
Last refreshed