According to ONS data, in 2022 an estimated 1.2 million people arrived in the U.K., whilst 557,000 left in the same period. Most of the people arriving in the U.K. in 2022 were non-EU nationals (925,000), followed by those from the EU (151,000), and British nationals (88,000).
The numbers have been affected by unique events, including those in Ukraine and Hong Kong, which have contributed to the relatively high levels of immigration. It should also be noted that for the first time, asylum seekers have been included in the figures.
The U.K. prime minister has insisted that although migration is not out of control, the figures are too high. Although the figures are reflective of new methods used by the ONS to include asylum seekers, unprecedented events unfolding in the world, and the lifting of travel restrictions following the pandemic, the prime minister has said that measures to tighten visa rules for overseas students would help bring levels down over time.
The following should be noted when considering the ONS data:
- Estimates provided are “provisional, experimental and have a degree of uncertainty” around them given the methodology that is used.
- Approximately 114,000 arrivals to the U.K. were from Ukraine and 52,000 were from Hong Kong.
- For the first time, the ONS include asylum applications in this year’s migration estimates: 76,000 applications received for asylum in 2022.
