The Office for National Statistics reports 252,000 British citizens emigrated long-term in the year ending June 2025, but admits limited knowledge of where they’re going.
The Office for National Statistics has published new analysis revealing a sharp rise in British nationals leaving the UK — but admits it knows little about where they’re heading.
Provisional figures show 252,000 British nationals emigrated long-term in the year ending 30 June 2025. More net migration for British nationals hit -109,000, meaning far more left than returned home.
The ONS posted on social media explaining the data gaps around emigration destinations.
The Numbers Behind the Change
Overall net migration to the UK fell heavily to 204,000 in the year ending June 2025 — around two-thirds lower than the previous year’s 649,000.
But the picture varies sharply by nationality. Non-EU nationals still accounted for 75% of all immigration at 670,000 people. British nationals made up just 16% of arrivals at 143,000.
Total immigration reached 898,000 while emigration hit 693,000. The gap between these figures produces the net migration figure politicians often debate.
What We Don’t Know
The ONS acknowledges significant blind spots in its data. While it can track British nationals leaving through administrative records, it struggles to identify their final destinations.
This contrasts with detailed information available for non-UK nationals entering the country through visa systems and work permits.
Jay Lindop, Director of the Centre for International Migration at ONS, said the analysis aimed to “explain what our latest long-term international migration figures tell us about how many British nationals are moving abroad, and what we do — and do not — know about where they are going.”
Why the Data Matters
The statistics feed into population projections that determine funding for schools, hospitals and local services. They also influence housing targets and infrastructure planning.
On top of that, the ONS defines long-term migrants as people moving to another country for at least 12 months, following UN guidelines. This creates an inherent delay before officials can confirm someone’s migration status.
Since 2020, the ONS has moved away from survey-based estimates towards administrative data from the Home Office, Department for Work and Pensions, and HM Revenue and Customs.
Source: @ONS
Key Takeaways
- British nationals’ net migration turned negative at -109,000, with 252,000 leaving long-term
- Overall UK net migration fell to 204,000, down from 649,000 the previous year
- ONS admits limited knowledge about where British emigrants are moving to
What This Means for Kent Residents
These migration patterns directly affect Kent’s population planning and public services, as Kent County Council relies on ONS figures to plan school places, social care and housing needs. Local employers may face recruitment challenges if working-age British nationals continue leaving, potentially requiring more international recruitment under post-Brexit visa routes. Kent residents considering moves abroad should note that while emigration is rising, official data on popular destinations remains limited — though historically Australia, Spain, Canada and the US have been common choices for British emigrants.