The United Kingdom experienced a sharp drop in net migration in 2024, as tougher immigration policies led to steep declines in work and study visa arrivals.
Provisional figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show net migration fell to 431,000 in the year ending December 2024—nearly halving from a record 860,000 in 2023.
The decline was largely attributed to a 49% drop in work visa arrivals among main applicants, amounting to 108,000 fewer migrants. Study-related immigration also dipped significantly, with main applicants down by 17%, and dependents of study visa holders plunging by 86%—a reduction of about 105,000.
Total long-term immigration was estimated at 948,000 in 2024, down from 1.33 million the previous year—marking the first time it has fallen below one million since March 2022.
Meanwhile, emigration rose by 11% to 517,000, driven largely by international students completing their studies and returning home as post-pandemic travel eased.
“This change is driven by a decrease in immigration from non-EU+ nationals… and an increase in emigration over the 18 months to December 2024, especially people leaving who originally came on study visas,” the ONS explained.
Despite the overall decline, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, China, and Ukraine remained the top sources of non-EU+ long-term migrants to the UK.
