Migration to the UK in 2024: Who Came, Why They Came, and What the Future Holds

 
24/07/2025
6 min read

In 2024, the United Kingdom experienced a dramatic shift in immigration patterns. After years of record highs, net migration nearly halved, falling to 431,000—a significant drop from 860,000 in 2023. While this decline is being hailed by government officials as a success of newly implemented policies, the deeper story of who is coming to the UK, why they’re coming, and how the landscape is changing reveals a more complex picture.

This article breaks down the numbers, the rules, and the challenges behind the UK's evolving migration system.

What Is Net Migration and Where Do Migrants Come From?

Net migration refers to the difference between the number of people entering the UK and those leaving. In 2024:

  • 948,000 people arrived intending to stay at least a year
     
  • 517,000 people left the UK
     
  • Resulting in net migration of 431,000
     

Here’s the breakdown of who came:

  • 60,000 (6%) were British nationals
     
  • 122,000 (13%) were from the EU+ (EU countries plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland)
     
  • 766,000 (81%) were from non-EU countries
     

Significantly, more EU nationals left than arrived, and more British citizens left the UK than returned. This indicates that non-EU migration is now the primary driver of overall migration trends.

Among non-EU migrants, a majority (83%) were of working age (16–64). The most common nationality for work and study visa holders was Indian.

Why Do People Come to the UK?

People migrate to the UK for various reasons, mainly:

  • Work
     
  • Study
     
  • Joining family
     
  • Seeking asylum
     
  • Seasonal labour
     

The UK government has tailored immigration routes and visa categories for each of these purposes. Let’s explore them one by one.

Migration for Work: Skilled Labour and the Points-Based System

One of the key pillars of the UK’s immigration policy is the Points-Based System (PBS), especially for skilled workers.

To qualify for a Skilled Worker visa, applicants must:

  • Earn 70 points, including:
     
    • A job offer at the required skill level and English proficiency (worth 50 points)
       
    • Additional points from salary, working in a shortage occupation, or academic qualifications
       

As of April 2024, the minimum salary threshold increased to £38,700—a 48% jump from the previous requirement of £26,200. This was part of a major overhaul aimed at reducing dependence on foreign labour. However, exemptions exist for health and social care roles.

Despite this, visas for health and social care workers dropped by 85%, from their 2023 peak to just 23,000 in 2024. This collapse followed the June 2025 expiration of the temporary visa relaxations introduced in 2022. It’s a stark indicator of the impact policy changes can have on vital sectors.

Immigration Salary List: Filling the Gaps

The Immigration Salary List (previously the Shortage Occupation List) enables employers to hire in sectors with labour shortages at lower salary thresholds.

This includes:

  • Health and care workers
     
  • Pharmacists
     
  • Construction workers
     
  • Graphic designers
     
  • Farm and fishing workers
     

This list helps fill key roles but is limited in scope. Employers are still encouraged to invest in domestic recruitment and training, a central theme in the government’s new migration strategy.

International Students: Fewer Visas, Tighter Rules

The UK remains a top destination for international students, but numbers dipped in 2024 due to tighter rules.

  • 403,000 student visas were issued (down 10% from 2023)
     
  • Still 50% higher than in 2019, showing long-term growth
     
  • 18,000 dependent visas for students were granted, an 83% drop from 2023
     

Since January 2024, dependents are only allowed if the student is enrolled in a research-based postgraduate programme. This change significantly affected students from countries where studying abroad is a family decision.

Another shift came in graduate visa rules: international graduates can now stay in the UK for only 18 months post-study, down from 2 years.

Family Migration: Higher Thresholds, Smaller Numbers

To live in the UK with a spouse, partner, child, or parent, migrants need a family visa—provided their relative meets a minimum income threshold.

In 2024:

  • 76,000 family visas were issued
     
  • That’s a 3% drop from 2023
     
  • But still double the number granted in 2021
     

Initially, the income threshold was due to rise sharply from £18,600 to £38,700, causing public backlash over family separations. The government responded by setting a compromise threshold of £29,000. Renewals of existing visas are not subject to the new threshold.

Seasonal Workers: Agriculture Still Relies on Migration

Seasonal worker visas—typically used for fruit pickers and poultry workers—are subject to an annual quota of 45,000 for 2025:

  • 43,000 for horticulture
     
  • 2,000 for poultry
     

Between April 2024 and March 2025, 34,700 seasonal visas were issued. Interestingly, over 75% of these workers came from Central Asian countries like Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan.

Despite ongoing discussions about automation and domestic labour, the sector remains heavily dependent on migrant workers during peak seasons.

Asylum and Deportations: Crackdowns and Challenges

Though not covered in depth in migration statistics, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants remain a hot-button issue. The government has pledged to:

  • Tighten removal procedures
     
  • Crack down on those breaching immigration rules
     
  • Deny indefinite stay to migrants unless they’ve lived in the UK for 10 years (up from 5)
     

These changes come alongside controversial efforts to deport individuals who arrive through irregular routes, such as crossing the Channel in small boats—a politically charged issue that continues to spark legal battles and public debate.

Why Did Net Migration Fall So Sharply?

Several factors contributed to the steep decline:

  1. Policy Overhauls:
     
    • Higher salary thresholds
       
    • Tighter family and student visa rules
       
    • Restrictions on dependents
       
    • The ending of temporary care visa concessions
       
  2. Global Trends:
     
    • Post-pandemic recovery has stabilised migration patterns
       
    • Economic uncertainty and inflation have reduced the UK’s pull factor
       
  3. Public Pressure:
     
    • Voter concern over high immigration played a role in shaping government decisions
       

The Bigger Picture: Migration vs. Economy

While the government’s goal is to reduce overall immigration, business groups, universities, and economists warn that overly strict rules may:

  • Exacerbate labour shortages, especially in care and construction
     
  • Reduce international student revenue—a major income stream for UK universities
     
  • Hinder economic growth in sectors relying on foreign talent
     

The balance between migration control and economic vitality is delicate. For instance, the health and care sector is already struggling to fill gaps left by reduced foreign recruitment, and universities are lobbying for a more flexible approach to student visas.

What’s Next for UK Immigration?

The current Labour government has signalled a shift toward “controlled, skills-based migration”, rather than the open doors of the past or the hard restrictions of the Brexit era.

Upcoming policy changes may include:

  • Expanding domestic training and apprenticeships
     
  • Incentivising employers to develop UK-based talent
     
  • Regular updates to the Immigration Salary List to adapt to labour market needs
     

As the UK looks to balance control with competitiveness, migration remains one of the most complex—and politically sensitive—areas of national policy.

Final Thoughts

The drop in net migration in 2024 signals a major pivot in how the UK manages its borders, economy, and workforce. While some celebrate the numbers, others warn that a blunt reduction may hurt the very sectors the country relies on.

Whether the UK can sustain economic growth, maintain public services, and meet international obligations under a more restrictive immigration regime remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the UK’s approach to migration will continue to evolve—and remain a central issue in public and political discourse.

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