UK net migration 20% lower in 2024 than first thought, ONS says

"Net migration to the UK last year was 20% lower than previously thought, according to revised figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The number, the difference between those entering and leaving the country, has been revised down by 86,000 people and now stands at 345,000 in 2024. The driving factor behind the change is that more British nationals are thought to have emigrated in 2024 than initially recorded, with 100,000 fewer now thought to be living in the UK."

"Migration peaked higher than previously thought, according to the figures, adding 944,000 to the UK population between April 2022 and March 2023. Previous estimates put the number at 906,000 by June 2023. The new figures make little change to the overall estimate of net migration to the UK between 2021 and 2024, falling slightly from 2.6 million people to 2.5 million in the revised report."

"Successive Conservative governments sought to cut migration to the UK, while Labour argued in last year's manifesto that higher migration "reduces the incentives for businesses to train locally". In May Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced measures which he said would ensure net migration falls "significantly" over the next four years. His proposals included a plan to ban recruitment of care workers from overseas, tighten access to skilled worker visas and raise the costs to employers."

Net migration to the UK for 2024 was revised down by 86,000 to 345,000, a 20% reduction from earlier estimates. The revision reflects higher recorded emigration of British nationals, reducing the UK population by about 100,000 compared with prior counts. Migration peaked higher than previously thought, adding 944,000 people between April 2022 and March 2023 compared with an earlier estimate of 906,000 by June 2023. The overall net migration total for 2021–2024 fell slightly from 2.6 million to 2.5 million. The ONS has been rebuilding its migration estimation system since 2020 after earlier methods produced implausibly low results for British nationals. Political proposals aim to reduce net migration through tighter visa and recruitment rules.

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