The United Kingdom has recorded a sharp decline in net migration, with the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data showing an 80% drop from the 2023 peak—down by 204,000 in the year ending June 2025. Indian nationals emerged as the largest group of non-EU migrants leaving the country, accounting for 74,000 departures. This includes 45,000 students, 22,000 workers, and 7,000 individuals under other visa categories.
Despite the rise in departures, India continues to remain the top source of new migrants, with 90,000 study visa grants and 46,000 work-related visas issued during the same period. The ONS noted that Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, and Nigerian nationals consistently rank among the top non-EU nationalities entering the UK.
ONS officials attributed the fall in net migration to reduced arrivals for work and study, a steep decline in dependent visas, and a gradual increase in emigration—particularly among those who initially arrived on study visas. Mary Gregory, ONS Executive Director for Population and Census, highlighted that non-EU net migration has more than halved compared to the previous year.
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood welcomed the drop, calling it the lowest level in five years, but stressed that additional measures were necessary to manage pressure on housing and services. However, labour experts warned that the decline in skilled workers could weaken the UK’s long-term economic outlook. Dr Dora Olivia Vicol of the Work Rights Centre argued that the government’s focus on reducing immigration risks undermining growth and migrant welfare.
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