UK Net Migration Falls to 171,000 as Latest Figures Show Sharp Decline in Arrivals

Long-term net migration to the United Kingdom fell to an estimated 171,000 during the year ending December 2025, according to figures published by the Office for National Statistics in May 2026.

This compares with a revised estimate of 331,000 in the year ending December 2024.

The data represents a significant change from the much higher migration levels recorded in previous years.

How many people arrived and left?

The ONS estimates that approximately 813,000 people moved to Britain for long-term residence during 2025.

During the same period, approximately 642,000 people left the country.

This produced a net migration figure of 171,000.

Net migration measures the difference between people arriving to live in the UK for at least 12 months and those leaving for at least 12 months.

It does not measure the total number of people entering the country.

What is driving the decline?

According to the ONS, the main reason for the fall was a reduction in people arriving from outside the EU for work-related reasons.

The number of non-EU+ nationals arriving for work-related reasons fell by 47% during 2025.

Changes to immigration rules, including restrictions affecting certain employment routes, have contributed to the broader shift in migration patterns.

What do the latest work visa figures show?

Separate Home Office figures for the 12 months ending June 2026 provide further evidence of changes in work-related immigration.

A total of 234,841 work visas, including those issued to dependants, were granted during that period.

This was 18% lower than the previous 12 months and 62% below the peak recorded in the year ending December 2023.

Health and Care Worker visa grants have experienced particularly substantial reductions.

Does this mean all types of immigration are falling?

Not necessarily.

The UK's immigration system includes work, study, family, humanitarian and asylum routes.

These categories operate differently and can move in different directions.

For example, a reduction in work-related arrivals does not automatically indicate an equivalent reduction in asylum applications or Channel crossings.

It is also important to distinguish between ONS estimates of long-term migration and Home Office visa grants, which measure different things.

What happens next?

Future migration estimates will help establish whether the decline continues.

The ONS figures are provisional and may be revised when more complete information becomes available.

The relationship between immigration rules, labour-market demand, international student arrivals and humanitarian migration will remain central to the debate over Britain's immigration system.

Keep Updated UK will continue reporting official migration figures while explaining what the statistics measure — and what they do not.