Statistics database
- Contact:
- pop.info@ons.gov.uk
- Version:
- 1.2.0
- Updated:
- Thu 01 February 2024
Table of contents
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
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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
Statistics relating to the operation of the immigration system, including visas, extensions, citizenship, asylum, resettlement, detention and returns.
Publications- Theme:
- Immigration (flows); asylum and detention (stocks)
- Organisation:
- Home Office
- Country coverage:
- United Kingdom
- Geographic scale:
- Country; Local Authority
- Frequency:
- Every 3 months
- Timeliness:
- 1 to 3 months
- Time-series covers:
- Varies (some back as far as 2001)
- 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:
- The next publication is provisionally planned for February 2024.
-
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
Official statistics (in development) of UK international migration, from year ending (YE) June 2012 to present. The most recent estimates are provisional and will be updated when more complete data are available.
Publications- Theme:
- Immigration (flows);Emigration (flows)
- Organisation:
- Office for National Statistics
- Country coverage:
- United Kingdom
- Geographic scale:
- Country
- Frequency:
- Every 6 months
- Timeliness:
- 6 to 12 months
- Time-series covers:
- 2012 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 using the International Passenger Survey (IPS).
-
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 2018.
Publications- Theme:
- Immigration (flows)
- Organisation:
- Home Office
- Country coverage:
- United Kingdom
- Geographic scale:
- Country
- Frequency:
- Daily
- Timeliness:
- Ad hoc
- Time-series covers:
- 2018 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 value of the statistics lies in the robustness of counts down to individual nationality and for each Local Authority (LA) (based on address at point of NINo registration). Personal characteristics such as gender and age band are also published via Stat-Xplore.
-
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:
- This statistical series has now ceased due to the information contained within the release not being fit for purpose. The Nationality within the release reflected that at the point of registration and not at the point of benefit receipt, which could be a number of years later. DWP does not hold data on the current nationality of the claimant at point of benefit receipt and so there is no alternative approach for producing these statistics.
-
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:
- Historically, we measured non-UK born population levels using the Annual Population Survey (APS) and published a series of estimates of population by country of birth and nationality based on this source. This was discontinued in October 2022. In the future, with the support of our partners, including all devolved administrations, our ambition is to produce a UK estimate of the non-UK born population that is comparable and consistent with both our administrative data-based estimates of international migration estimates and overall population estimates. While we continue with our transformation programme and development work in this area, we are also considering approaches using other sources. We published provisional measures that roll forward the Census 2021 estimates of the non-UK born population and are also considering how we can use data from the transformed Labour Force Survey (TLFS) to provide similar estimates to those published in the previous APS-based series.
-
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:
- Historically, we measured non-UK born population levels using the Annual Population Survey (APS) and published a series of estimates of population by country of birth and nationality based on this source. This was discontinued in October 2022. In the future, with the support of our partners, including all devolved administrations, our ambition is to produce a UK estimate of the non-UK born population that is comparable and consistent with both our administrative data-based estimates of international migration estimates and overall population estimates. While we continue with our transformation programme and development work in this area, we are also considering approaches using other sources. We published provisional measures that roll forward the Census 2021 estimates of the non-UK born population and are also considering how we can use data from the transformed Labour Force Survey (TLFS) to provide similar estimates to those published in the previous APS-based series.
-
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 Act
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:
- Ad hoc
- Time-series covers:
- 2018 to present
- Keywords:
- illegal migration act;
-
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