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Migration statistics

Making government statistics accessible to everyone

Statistics database

Version:
1.2.0
Updated:
Wed 19 July 2023

International migration is the movement of people from one country to another and is often defined by the period of time they live in each country. This can be measured as the flow (or movement) of international migrants and how this changes over time and the stock (or size or level of the resident population) of non-UK born or non-British nationals living in the UK.

This tool compiles Official Statistics relating to international migration statistics produced by UK public bodies and the devolved administrations of Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Producers of official international migration statistics are working together to improve these statistics. To find out more about this work please visit the GSS migration statistics publication strategy.

This tool is updated regularly with new publications. Datasets published for customers on an ad-hoc basis are not included in this tool. If you believe that any of the information is incorrect, or if you feel we have missed an important release that should be included, please via the pop.info mailbox.

Users may also find the following supplementary information useful:

Guidance on using country of birth, nationality, passports held data

How ONS are improving population and migration statistics

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  • EU Settlement Scheme statistics

    The latest quarterly statistics relating to published statistics on the EU Settlement Scheme.

    Publications
    Theme:
    EU Settlement Scheme
    Organisation:
    Home Office
    Country coverage:
    United Kingdom
    Geographic scale:
    Country;Local Authority
    Frequency:
    Every 3 months
    Timeliness:
    1 to 3 months
    Time-series covers:
    2019 to present
    Keywords:
    EU; EEA nationals; settlement; visa; EUSS; migrant
  • Immigration system statistics quarterly release

    Quarterly statistics on people coming to the UK, extensions of stay, citizenship, asylum, detentions, and returns.

    Publications
    Theme:
    Immigration (flows)
    Organisation:
    Home Office
    Country coverage:
    United Kingdom
    Geographic scale:
    Country; Local Authority
    Frequency:
    Every 3 months
    Timeliness:
    1 to 3 months
    Time-series covers:
    2011 to present
    Keywords:
    visa; visa application; visa extension; citizenship; asylum; detained; immigration; work; study; family; Non-EU; border control; immigration system
  • Income Tax, National Insurance contributions, tax credits and child benefit statistics for non-UK nationals (discontinued)

    This statistical release provides estimates of Income Tax, National Insurance contributions, tax credits and Child Benefit paid by and to European Economic Area (EEA) nationals and non-EEA nationals.

    Publications
    Theme:
    Economic indicators
    Organisation:
    HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
    Country coverage:
    United Kingdom
    Geographic scale:
    Country
    Frequency:
    Yearly
    Timeliness:
    longer than 18 months
    Time-series covers:
    2013 to 2019
    Keywords:
    national insurance; tax credits; child benefit; EEA nationals; non-EEA nationals
  • International Migration, Scotland

    International migration refers to people moving between Scotland and any country outside the UK. More information on how these migration estimates are derived can be found in the migration statistics background information section of the National Records of Scotland (NRS) website.

    Publications
    Theme:
    Immigration (flows); Emigration (flows)
    Organisation:
    National Records of Scotland (NRS)
    Country coverage:
    Scotland
    Geographic scale:
    Country;Council areas;Health board areas
    Frequency:
    Yearly
    Timeliness:
    6 to 12 months
    Time-series covers:
    2001 to present
    Measure:
     
    Keywords:
    migration; migrant; flows; net migration; emigration; emigrant; out-migration; immigration; immigrant; in-migration; long-term; Scotland
    Notes:
    Due to the upcoming publication of census results, the next publication is provisionally planned for winter 2023.
  • Irregular migration to the UK

    Overview of irregular migrants who come to the UK, including those arriving on a small boat across the English Channel

    Publications
    Theme:
    Immigration (flows)
    Organisation:
    Home Office
    Country coverage:
    United Kingdom
    Geographic scale:
    Country
    Frequency:
    Every 3 months
    Timeliness:
    1 to 3 months
    Time-series covers:
    2018 to present
    Keywords:
    small boats; irregular; migrant; migration; asylum seeker; asylum; border; border control
    Notes:
    Overview of irregular migrants who come to the UK, including those arriving on a small boat across the English Channel (a ‘small boat arrival’) It is not possible to know the exact size of the irregular population in the UK
  • Local Area Migration Indicators (LAMIS) (discontinued)

    Different migration-related data sources at local authority level including migration flows, non-UK-born and non-British populations, National Insurance number registrations, GP registrations, and births to non-UK-born mothers.

    Publications
    Theme:
    Local Area Migration Indicators
    Organisation:
    Office for National Statistics
    Country coverage:
    United Kingdom; England; Wales; Scotland; Northern Ireland
    Geographic scale:
    Country;Local Authority;Region;Small areas
    Frequency:
    Discontinued
    Timeliness:
    8 to 14 months
    Time-series covers:
    2003 to 2020
    Keywords:
    population; migration; stocks; residents; country of birth; nationality; local
  • Local Area Migration, Scotland

    This publication brings together migration-related indicators, for council and NHS Board areas, from different sources. It includes time series data to help understand migration trends at a local level. It is usually updated once a year, although some of the data may be available more frequently and can be accessed from the relevant sources specified.

    Publications
    Theme:
    Local Area Migration Indicators
    Organisation:
    National Records of Scotland (NRS)
    Country coverage:
    Scotland
    Geographic scale:
    Country;Council areas;Health board areas
    Frequency:
    Yearly
    Timeliness:
    8 to 14 months
    Time-series covers:
    2004 to present
    Keywords:
    population; migration; migrant; flows; stocks; country of birth; nationality; net migration; emigration; emigrant; out-migration; immigration; immigrant; in-migration; long-term; residents; local; national insurance number; NINO; citizenship; Scotland
    Notes:
    Due to the upcoming publication of census results, the Local Area Migration spreadsheet will not be published in August 2023.
  • Long-term international migration statistics for Northern Ireland

    Estimates of long-term international migration for Northern Ireland

    Publications
    Theme:
    Immigration (flows);Emigration (flows);Population (stocks)
    Organisation:
    Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)
    Country coverage:
    Northern Ireland
    Geographic scale:
    Country
    Frequency:
    Yearly
    Timeliness:
    12 to 18 months
    Time-series covers:
    2005 to present
    Keywords:
    migration; migrant; flows; net migration; emigration; emigrant; immigration; immigrant; long-term; EU; Non-EU; British; northern ireland
    Notes:
    Following the reclassification of the Migration Statistics Quarterly Report published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) as Experimental Statistics we would like to make our users aware that Northern Ireland migration estimates remain unaffected. Migration estimates for Northern Ireland are produced using administrative data and do not rely on the International Passenger Survey as part of the production process.
  • Long-term international migration, provisional

    Experimental statistics on UK international migration from 2020 including the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

    Publications
    Theme:
    Immigration (flows);Emigration (flows)
    Organisation:
    Office for National Statistics
    Country coverage:
    United Kingdom
    Geographic scale:
    Country
    Frequency:
    Every 3 months
    Timeliness:
    6 to 12 months
    Time-series covers:
    2020 to present
    Keywords:
    migration; migrant; flows; net migration; emigration; emigrant; immigration; immigrant; long-term; EU; Non-EU; British
    Notes:
    These estimates are not comparable with our previously published official measures of international migration, however, early insights of provisional census results gives us further confidence in these estimates derived from administrative data sources.
  • Migrant Journey

    A series of publications that explore migrants' journeys through the UK's immigration system.

    The publications provide evidence on the behaviour of migrants entering the UK immigration system for the main routes of entry to the UK and the common pathways through the immigration system that result in settlement.

    Publications
    Theme:
    Immigration (flows)
    Organisation:
    Home Office
    Country coverage:
    United Kingdom
    Geographic scale:
    Country
    Frequency:
    Yearly
    Timeliness:
    3 to 6 months
    Time-series covers:
    2004 to present
    Keywords:
    visa; settlement; journey; migration; migrant; reason; immigration; family; work; non-EU; non-EEA nationals
  • Migrants detected crossing the English Channel in small boats

    Data on the number of migrants detected crossing the English Channel in small boats without permission to enter the UK each day, from 1 January 2023.

    Publications
    Theme:
    Immigration (flows)
    Organisation:
    Home Office
    Country coverage:
    United Kingdom
    Geographic scale:
    Country
    Frequency:
    Daily
    Timeliness:
    1 day
    Time-series covers:
    2023 to present
    Keywords:
    small boats; irregular; migrant; migration
  • Migration Statistics Quarterly Report (discontinued)

    A summary of the long-term international migration estimates for the UK up to the year ending March 2020. Data from the Home Office, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) are also included.

    Publications
    Theme:
    Immigration (flows);Emigration (flows)
    Organisation:
    Office for National Statistics
    Country coverage:
    United Kingdom
    Geographic scale:
    Country
    Frequency:
    Discontinued
    Timeliness:
    3 to 6 months
    Time-series covers:
    2010 to 2020
    Keywords:
    migration; migrant; flows; net migration; emigration; emigrant; immigration; immigrant; long-term; EU; Non-EU; British
    Notes:
    The MSQR was discontinued in August 2020. All future migration statistics will be administrate data based estimates. See Long-term international migration, provisional.
  • Migration Statistics Quarterly Summary for Scotland (discontinued)

    A summary of the latest migration statistics for Scotland. This brings together data from a range of sources to give an overview of key migration trends in Scotland, and presents it alongside comparable UK-level data. It includes data published by National Records of Scotland (NRS), the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the Home Office and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

    Publications
    Theme:
    Immigration (flows);Emigration (flows);Population (stocks)
    Organisation:
    National Records of Scotland (NRS)
    Country coverage:
    Scotland
    Geographic scale:
    Country;Council areas; Health Board areas
    Frequency:
    Discontinued
    Timeliness:
    1 to 3 months
    Time-series covers:
    2009 to 2020
    Keywords:
    migration; migrant; flows; net migration; emigration; emigrant; immigration; immigrant; long-term; EU; Non-EU; British; NINo; resettlement; refugees; citizenship; Scotland
    Notes:
    This publication has been paused. More information can be found on the NRS Publication Schedule Changes webpage.
  • Migration estimates by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD)

    Mid-year migration flow estimates for Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 2020 areas in Scotland.

    Publications
    Theme:
    Immigration (flows);Emigration (flows)
    Organisation:
    National Records of Scotland (NRS)
    Country coverage:
    Scotland
    Geographic scale:
    Country
    Frequency:
    Yearly
    Timeliness:
    12 to 18 months
    Time-series covers:
    2002 to present
    Measure:
     
    Keywords:
    migration; migrant; flows; net migration; emigration; emigrant; out-migration; immigration; immigrant; in-migration; long-term; Index of Multiple Deprivation; deprivation; SIMD; Scotland
    Notes:
    This dataset is published as part of the small area population estimates.
  • Migration transparency data

    Data on Border Force, UK Visas and Immigration, Immigration Enforcement and Her Majesty’s Passport Office performance.

    Publications
    Theme:
    Immigration (flows)
    Organisation:
    Home Office
    Country coverage:
    United Kingdom
    Geographic scale:
    Country
    Frequency:
    Every 3 months
    Timeliness:
    1 to 3 months
    Time-series covers:
    2019 to present
    Keywords:
    border force; visa; immigration system; enforcement; passport
  • National Insurance numbers allocated to adult overseas nationals

    Quarterly publication of National Insurance number allocations to adult overseas nationals

    Publications
    Theme:
    National Insurance numbers (NINos)
    Organisation:
    Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)
    Country coverage:
    United Kingdom; England; Wales; Scotland; Northern Ireland
    Geographic scale:
    Country;Region
    Frequency:
    Every 3 months
    Timeliness:
    1 to 3 months
    Time-series covers:
    2003 to present
    Keywords:
    national insurance; national insurance number; NINO; NINO registration; work; non-UK; nationality
    Notes:
    The next two publications will be released on 24 August 2023 and 23 November 2023, both will include a complete historic back series
  • Nationality at point of National Insurance number registration of DWP working age benefit recipients (discontinued)

    Nationality at point of National Insurance number registration of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) working age benefit recipients.

    Publications
    Theme:
    National Insurance numbers (NINos)
    Organisation:
    Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)
    Country coverage:
    United Kingdom
    Geographic scale:
    Country
    Frequency:
    Yearly
    Timeliness:
    12 to 18 months
    Time-series covers:
    2009 to 2020
    Keywords:
    national insurance; national insurance number; NINO; NINO registration; work; non-UK; nationality
    Notes:
    We will be ceasing the annual experimental data series on the Nationality of benefit combination customers, due for release in August, following our assessment that these statistics no longer meet the purpose for which they were created. The information contained in the release reflects the Nationality status of the claimants at the point of National Insurance number (NINo) registration which does not necessarily reflect the Nationality at the point of claiming the benefit. Our assessment has found that following the EU referendum there has been an increasing numbers of EU Nationals applying for UK citizenship, therefore using the nationality at point of NINo registration is no longer fit for the purpose of estimating Nationality of benefit combination customers.
  • Overview of UK Population

    An overview of the UK population, how it has changed, why it has changed and how it is projected to change in the future.

    Publications
    Theme:
    Immigration (flows);Emigration (flows)
    Organisation:
    Office for National Statistics
    Country coverage:
    United Kingdom
    Geographic scale:
    Country
    Frequency:
    Yearly
    Timeliness:
    12 to 18 months
    Time-series covers:
    1900 to present
    Keywords:
    UK population; population; population change; overview; migration; net migration
    Notes:
    Migration to the UK has been the main driver of population growth since the 1990s
  • Payrolled employments in the UK by region, industry and nationality

    This experimental statistics publication provides counts of payrolled employments in the UK, with analysis by geographical region, industrial sector and nationality.

    Publications
    Theme:
    Economic indicators
    Organisation:
    HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
    Country coverage:
    United Kingdom; England; Wales; Scotland; Northern Ireland
    Geographic scale:
    Country;Region
    Frequency:
    Yearly
    Timeliness:
    6 to 12 months
    Time-series covers:
    2014 to present
    Keywords:
    payrolled employments; work; industry; nationality; worker
    Notes:
    This experimental statistics publication includes counts of payrolled employments in the UK from HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) Pay as You Earn (PAYE) Real Time Information (RTI) data and HMRC’s Migrant Worker Scan (MWS).
  • Population by country of birth and nationality, Scotland

    Estimates of Scotland's population by country of birth and nationality from the Annual Population Survey (APS). This provides information on the number of non-UK born and non-British nationals living in Scotland and each council area.

    Publications
    Theme:
    Population (stocks)
    Organisation:
    National Records of Scotland (NRS)
    Country coverage:
    Scotland
    Geographic scale:
    Country;Council areas
    Frequency:
    Every 6 months
    Timeliness:
    3 to 6 months
    Time-series covers:
    2004 to present
    Keywords:
    population; migration; stocks; residents; country of birth; nationality; EU; Non-EU; British; Scotland
    Notes:
    The population by country of birth and nationality series using the Annual Population Survey (APS), which has been the main data source for these estimates in the past, will be discontinued. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) are currently working on alternative approaches, including the use of administrative data to replace these APS estimates. More information on this can be found on the NRS website.
  • Population of the UK by country of birth and nationality

    UK residents by broad country of birth and citizenship groups, broken down by UK country, local authority, unitary authority, metropolitan and London boroughs, and counties. Estimates from the Annual Population Survey.

    Publications
    Theme:
    Population (stocks)
    Organisation:
    Office for National Statistics
    Country coverage:
    United Kingdom; England; Wales; Scotland; Northern Ireland
    Geographic scale:
    Country; Local Authority; Region; Small areas
    Frequency:
    Yearly
    Timeliness:
    3 to 6 months
    Time-series covers:
    2000 to 2021
    Keywords:
    population; migration; stocks; residents; country of birth; nationality
    Notes:
    We are transforming the way we produce population and migration statistics to make best use of all available data. The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is also undergoing a transformation to make further improvements to labour market statistics to improve quality, granularity and timeliness. As part of this transformation journey, we are reviewing the best methods to produce estimates of the UK population. Therefore, the population of the UK by country of birth and nationality series using the APS will be discontinued. The full statement on the discontinuation is available on the ONS website.
  • Population of the UK by country of birth and nationality: individual country data

    UK residents by individual countries of birth and citizenship, broken down by UK country, local authority, unitary authority, metropolitan and London boroughs, and counties. Estimates from the Annual Population Survey.

    Publications
    Theme:
    Population (stocks)
    Organisation:
    Office for National Statistics
    Country coverage:
    United Kingdom; England; Wales; Scotland; Northern Ireland
    Geographic scale:
    Country;Local Authority;Region;Small areas
    Frequency:
    Yearly
    Timeliness:
    3 to 6 months
    Time-series covers:
    2000 to 2021
    Keywords:
    population; migration; stocks; residents; country of birth; nationality
    Notes:
    We are transforming the way we produce population and migration statistics to make best use of all available data. The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is also undergoing a transformation to make further improvements to labour market statistics to improve quality, granularity and timeliness. As part of this transformation journey, we are reviewing the best methods to produce estimates of the UK population. Therefore, the population of the UK by country of birth and nationality series using the APS will be discontinued. The full statement on the discontinuation is available on the ONS website.
  • Reports on statistics relating to exit checks

    Data collected on travellers departing and arriving in the UK as part of the Home Office exit checks programme.

    Publications
    Theme:
    Exit Checks
    Organisation:
    Home Office
    Country coverage:
    United Kingdom
    Geographic scale:
    Country
    Frequency:
    Yearly
    Timeliness:
    6 to 12 months
    Time-series covers:
    2015 to present
    Keywords:
    visa; arrival; departure; border control; exit checks; extension
    Notes:
    Changes, largely the result of the COVID-19 pandemic, have meant that we have been unable to produce an Exit Checks report for the Year Ending March 2021.
  • Statistics relating to passenger arrivals since the COVID-19 outbreak (discontinued)

    A statistical report showing the impact of COVID-19 on travel to the UK

    Publications
    Theme:
    Passenger arrivals
    Organisation:
    Home Office
    Country coverage:
    United Kingdom
    Geographic scale:
    Country
    Frequency:
    Discontinued
    Timeliness:
    1 to 3 months
    Time-series covers:
    2019 to 2022
    Keywords:
    arrival; arrivals; covid; covid-19; passengers;travel; corona virus; pandemic
  • Statistics relating to the Illegal Migration Bill

    Ad hoc statistical release to inform the third reading of the Illegal Migration Bill in the House of Commons.

    Publications
    Theme:
    Immigration (flows)
    Organisation:
    Home Office
    Country coverage:
    United Kingdom
    Geographic scale:
    Country
    Frequency:
    Ad hoc
    Timeliness:
    1 to 3 months
    Time-series covers:
    2018 to present
    Keywords:
    third reading; illegal migration bill;
  • Ukraine Family Scheme, Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (Homes for Ukraine) and Ukraine Extension Scheme visa data

    Data on the number of visas applications and outcomes on the Ukraine Family Scheme, the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme and the Ukraine Extension Scheme

    Publications
    Theme:
    Immigration (flows)
    Organisation:
    Home Office
    Country coverage:
    United Kingdom
    Geographic scale:
    Country
    Frequency:
    Weekly
    Timeliness:
    1 week
    Time-series covers:
    March 2022 to present
    Keywords:
    Ukraine Family Scheme; Ukranine Sponsorship Scheme; Homes; Ukraine Extension scheme; visa