Total International Migration to and from the UK 1998-2007
The number of people leaving the UK for 12 months or more fell in 2007. An estimated 340,000 people emigrated, down from 400,000 in 2006. Over half of this reduction was as a result of fewer British citizens leaving the UK for more than a year, down from 207,000 in 2006 to 171,000 in 2007. However, in comparison to the 1990s, emigration remains high.
An estimated 577,000 people arrived to live in the UK for at least a year in 2007, compared with 591,000 in 2006. These figures represent a continuation of the level of immigration seen since 2004. Of all immigrants, 502,000 (87 per cent) were non-British citizens in 2007.
An estimated 96,000 Polish citizens migrated into the UK in 2007, which was the highest inflow of any individual citizenship.
Net migration was 237,000, up 46,000 on 2006. This is a result of emigration falling more than immigration. This was slightly lower than the record estimate of 244,000 in 2004. Net migration has remained high since then, in comparison with earlier years.
Intended length of emigration of all citizenships, 1998-2007 (IPS only)
The International Passenger Survey (IPS) is the main component of these Total International Migration (TIM) estimates. IPS estimates allow a more detailed breakdown of international migration than TIM. This reveals that the decline in the level of emigration seen in 2007 was due to a fall in the number of people migrating for more than four years.
Between 2006 and 2007 the number of emigrants leaving the UK for more than four years (possibly permanently) fell by 53,000 to 212,000. Of this decrease, 32,000 were British citizens. In contrast, the number of migrants leaving for between one and four years remained relatively constant at 105,000 in 2006 and 106,000 in 2007. British citizens made up 72 per cent of this estimate in 2007, a similar proportion to 2006.
The fall in the number of British citizens emigrating was most pronounced amongst those moving to other European Union 15 (EU15) countries. Emigration to this group of countries fell from 67,000 in 2006 to 47,000 in 2007. A fall in British citizens emigrating to Spain and France accounted for 79 per cent of this decrease.
Source: Total International Migration (TIM), International Passenger Survey (IPS), ONS.
Notes: TIM: Based mainly on International Passenger Survey (IPS) data. Includes adjustments for those whose intended length of stay changes so their migrant status changes (migrant/visitor switchers), asylum seekers & their dependants not identified by the IPS, and flows between the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
Net immigration: means that more people are entering the UK than leaving.
International migrant: someone who changes their country of usual residence for at least a year, so that the country of destination effectively becomes the country of usual residence.
The EU15 refers to: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Spain and Sweden.
All comparative statements about TIM are made solely with reference to the period 1991-2007.
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International Migration: MN Series