Moves within UK
1 in 10 moved in year to April 2001
Net migration with the rest of the UK in the year to April 2001: by region
Around one in ten people (11 per cent) moved within the UK in the year before the 2001 Census.
Although 53,000 more people left London for other parts of the UK than moved to London, the population of London actually increased because the capital is the most likely initial destination for international migrants. Six regions gained people from elsewhere in the UK. The largest net inflows were in the South West, the East Midlands and the East of England.
The North West, West Midlands, North East and Northern Ireland all experienced net outflows of fewer than 10,000 people to the rest of the UK. In Scotland, inflows of students, retired people and other groups balanced out the loss of adult employees, leaving the total population relatively unchanged by internal migration.
The northern regions of England, the midlands, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland experienced a net loss of full-time workers in the year up to the 2001 Census. The South East had the largest net gain: 13,000 more full-time workers moved in than moved out. London, the South West and the East regions of England also experienced a net inflow of full-time workers.
London - net migration with the rest of UK in the year to April 2001: by family type
People who move to live in London tend to be young adults in their twenties. London attracts young single adults with no family ties. However, when people form partnerships and have children, many relocate to other parts of the UK particularly the South East, East, South West, and East Midlands.
The overall net outflow from London to the rest of the UK was largely accounted for by the 30 to 59 age group, which experienced a net loss of 44,000 people.
Whereas many workers moved south to find employment, students were more likely to move to northern areas to study. Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, Yorkshire and the Humber, the North East and the East Midlands all gained students from the rest of the UK. The East, South East and South West experienced a net loss of students. The net migration of students within the UK had little effect on the population of London, the West Midlands or the North West.
Sources: Census, April 2001, Office for National Statistics Census, April 2001, General Register Office for Scotland Census, April 2001, Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency
printer-friendly
Focus on People & Migration home