How Many Immigrants Are in the UK?

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The UK is home to millions of people who were born outside the country. Whether you are an employer checking workforce eligibility, a policymaker reviewing data, or simply curious about the scale of immigration, understanding the latest official figures is essential. This guide sets out how many immigrants are currently in the UK, how that number is measured, and how the picture has changed over recent years.

For related support, explore Annaizu’s sponsorship compliance software, secure document management and immigration services.

Key Takeaways

Essential Points to Know

• Around 10 million people living in the UK were born abroad, representing roughly 15% of the total population.
• The Office for National Statistics (ONS) uses the term "foreign-born" rather than "immigrant" in most official data.
• Net migration reached a record high of 906,000 in the year to June 2023 before falling sharply in subsequent periods.
• India, Poland, Pakistan, Romania and Nigeria are among the top countries of birth for the foreign-born population.
• London has the highest concentration of immigrants, with around 40% of its residents born outside the UK.

What Counts as an Immigrant in the UK?

Foreign-Born vs Foreign National

Official UK statistics draw a distinction between two overlapping groups. A foreign-born person is anyone whose country of birth is outside the UK, regardless of their current nationality. A foreign national is anyone who holds a non-British passport or citizenship. Some people are foreign-born but now hold British citizenship, and others are foreign nationals who were born in the UK. Both groups are tracked separately by the ONS.

The UN Definition of a Long-Term Immigrant

The United Nations defines a long-term international migrant as someone who moves to a country other than their usual place of residence for at least 12 months. The UK uses this definition when reporting net migration figures through the International Passenger Survey and, more recently, through linked administrative data.

How Many Immigrants Are Currently in the UK?

Total Foreign-Born Population

According to ONS estimates based on the 2021 Census and subsequent Annual Population Survey data, approximately 10 million people living in the UK were born outside the country. This represents around 15% of the total UK population of approximately 67 million.

Total Foreign Nationals

The number of people holding non-British nationality and living in the UK is lower than the foreign-born total, because many immigrants have since naturalised as British citizens. Estimates suggest around 6 to 7 million foreign nationals currently reside in the UK.

Net Migration Figures

What Is Net Migration?

Net migration is the difference between the number of people arriving in the UK intending to stay for 12 months or more and the number leaving for the same period. A positive net migration figure means more people are arriving than leaving.

Recent Net Migration Trends

Net migration to the UK rose sharply following the end of free movement with the European Union after Brexit, as non-EU migration - particularly from India, Nigeria and Zimbabwe - increased substantially. The ONS estimated net migration peaked at around 906,000 in the year ending June 2023. Revised figures and subsequent data showed a significant fall, with net migration dropping to approximately 728,000 in the year to December 2023 and continuing to decline into 2024 following government policy changes including raised salary thresholds and restrictions on dependants for students and care workers.

Where Do UK Immigrants Come From?

Top Countries of Birth

The 2021 Census and subsequent ONS data identify the following as among the largest groups of foreign-born residents in England and Wales:

• India
• Poland
• Pakistan
• Romania
• Republic of Ireland
• Nigeria
• Bangladesh
• South Africa
• Germany
• Zimbabwe

EU vs Non-EU Migration

Before Brexit, EU nationals made up a large share of net migration due to free movement rights. Since the introduction of the points-based immigration system in January 2021, non-EU migration has grown considerably while EU net migration has declined. By 2023, non-EU nationals accounted for the majority of both work and study visas granted.

Where Do Immigrants Live in the UK?

Regional Distribution

Immigrants are not evenly distributed across the UK. London has by far the highest concentration, with around 37 to 40% of its residents having been born outside the UK. Other areas with high proportions of foreign-born residents include the South East, the West Midlands and parts of the East of England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have smaller proportions of foreign-born residents, though those numbers have grown in recent years.

Urban Concentration

Immigration to the UK is heavily urban. Cities including Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Leicester and Bristol all have significant foreign-born populations. Rural and coastal areas tend to have lower proportions, although agricultural and hospitality sectors in those regions often rely on migrant workers holding Seasonal Worker visas.

Why Do People Immigrate to the UK?

Main Reasons for Migration

• Work: skilled workers, health and care workers, and intra-company transferees coming on Skilled Worker visas or other sponsored routes.
• Study: international students attending UK universities and colleges on Student visas.
• Family: people joining partners, parents or children who are already settled in the UK.
• Humanitarian protection: refugees and asylum seekers fleeing persecution, conflict or violence.
• Other: returning British nationals, those on Youth Mobility Schemes, and people moving through other visa categories.

Work and Study as the Largest Drivers

In recent years, work and study have consistently been the two largest drivers of long-term immigration. The health and care sector has been a particularly significant source of work visa demand, with tens of thousands of overseas workers sponsored each year by NHS trusts, care homes and other providers. International student numbers grew strongly until 2023, when restrictions on dependants led to a sharp fall in student-related arrivals.

How Has Immigration Changed Over Time?

Pre-2004

Before the EU enlarged in 2004 to include countries such as Poland and the Czech Republic, net migration to the UK was significantly lower. The foreign-born population grew steadily but was a smaller share of the overall population than it is today.

2004 to 2016

The expansion of the EU led to a large increase in migrants from Eastern Europe, particularly Polish nationals, who came to the UK to work. Net migration rose steadily through this period and became a significant political issue, contributing to the debate around the 2016 Brexit referendum.

2016 to 2020

Following the Brexit vote, EU net migration began to fall as uncertainty discouraged movement and some EU nationals chose to return home. The Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 caused a sharp temporary reduction in all forms of international movement.

2021 Onwards

The introduction of the points-based immigration system in January 2021 and the end of free movement coincided with a surge in non-EU migration, driven largely by demand in health, care, education and hospitality. Net migration reached record levels in 2022 and 2023 before government restrictions began to take effect.

What the Data Means for UK Employers

Sponsor Licence Requirements

UK employers who wish to hire workers from outside the UK and Ireland must hold a valid sponsor licence issued by the Home Office. Without a sponsor licence, businesses cannot assign a Certificate of Sponsorship and cannot lawfully employ most foreign nationals in skilled roles. The scale of immigration to the UK means that millions of workers in the current workforce either hold or have held a work visa linked to a sponsor.

Right to Work Checks

With a significant proportion of the UK workforce having been born abroad, right to work compliance is a daily operational issue for many employers. Employers must carry out right to work checks on all new hires before employment begins, regardless of whether the individual appears to be a UK national. Failure to conduct proper checks can result in a civil penalty of up to £60,000 per illegal worker.

For guidance on how to carry out compliant checks, see the Home Office right to work employer guide on gov.uk.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many immigrants are in the UK in 2024?

Approximately 10 million people living in the UK were born outside the country, based on ONS estimates. Around 6 to 7 million are foreign nationals. Net migration for the year to mid-2024 is estimated to have fallen significantly from the 2023 peak, following government policy changes.

What percentage of the UK population are immigrants?

The foreign-born population represents approximately 15% of the total UK population of around 67 million. The proportion varies significantly by region, with London having the highest share at roughly 37 to 40%.

Which country sends the most immigrants to the UK?

India is consistently among the top source countries for both the stock of foreign-born residents and for new long-term arrivals, particularly through the Skilled Worker and Student visa routes. Poland has the largest EU-origin population due to migration following the 2004 EU enlargement.

Has net migration to the UK fallen recently?

Yes. After reaching a record high of around 906,000 in the year to June 2023, net migration fell substantially through 2024 as the government increased salary thresholds for Skilled Worker visas, banned overseas care workers from bringing dependants, and tightened