Great Britain has ceased to be attractive? Long -term migration dropped almost half

The British Office of National Statistics (ONS) said on Thursday that the difference in the number of people migrating to Great Britain and people emigrating from it in 2024 amounted to 431 thousand, compared to 860 thousand. a year earlier. This means a decrease in long -term net migration by almost 50 percent.

ONS defines long migration as a change in the place of residence for a period of not less than 12 months.

According to the given estimates, about 948 thousand came to Great Britain last year. people, which is a decrease by almost a third compared to 2023. At the same time, the country left 517 thousand. people, which means an increase of 11 percent In relation to 2023. The office also recorded a decrease of 49 percent. economic immigration of citizens from outside the EU. Last year, 17 percent were also laid. Less applications to study in the United Kingdom.

The Statistical Office announced that among 948 thousand people who moved to Great Britain, 81 percent came from outside the EU, while 13 percent from EU countries, as well as from Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Other 6 percent They were British citizens returning to their homeland. Among the citizens of India, Pakistan, China, Nigeria and Ukraine, among the migrating to the United Kingdom.

The Prime Minister of Great Britain Keir Starmer undertook last year, when he took over his office, to reduce the level of net migration over the next four years.

The plans of the British government include, among others Introduction of the ban on recruitment of care workers from abroad, increasing the requirements for knowledge of English in the case of granting employee visas and extending the required period from five to 10 years that migrants must spend in Great Britain before submitting an application for the status of a settled person.

The prime minister has never specified the specific purpose of these activities, but the Ministry of the Interior estimated that this policy could lead to a decrease in immigration by 100,000. people annually by 2029 (PAP)

MZB/ Szm/