In 2004 an estimated 223,000 more people migrated to the UK than migrated abroad. This estimated net inflow is much higher than for 2003 when 151,000 more people arrived to live in the UK than left to live abroad.
A key reason for this increase was the expansion of the EU in May 2004. Net inflows of non-British EU citizens to the UK increased from 14,000 in 2003 to 74,000 in 2004. Citizens of the ten EU accession countries made up an estimated four fifths of the increase between 2003 and 2004.
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The UK has experienced increasing levels of both inward and outward international migration in recent years. Over the past decade migration into the country increased from 314,000 in 1994 to 582,000 in 2004, with most of the increase to inflows occurring after 1997. Out-migration increased more quickly than inflows but to a lesser extent, from 238,000 in 1994 to 360,000 in 2004.
Between 1994 and 1997, net inflows of international migrants fell from 77,000 to 47,000, as outflows rose more quickly than inflows. During the years 1998 to 2003 net inflows fluctuated around a much higher level, with between 139,000 and 172,000 more people migrating to the UK than leaving each year. The net inflow of 223,000 in 2004 was the highest since the present method of estimation began in 1991.
Migration is generally most common among younger adult age groups. In 2003 the 15 to 24 and the 25 to 44 age groups together accounted for the large majority of both in-migrants (84 per cent) and out-migrants (75 per cent). Both in-migrants and out-migrants were slightly more likely to be male than female.
Study or work are the main reasons for migration. In 2003 more than one quarter of all in-migrants (135,000 people) came to study in the UK. More than one fifth (114,000 in-migrants) came for work-related reasons and had a specific job to go to.
Over the decade, net inflows of non-British citizens increased substantially, from 127,000 in 1995 to 342,000 by 2004. At the same time, net outflows of British citizens have increased. Net losses of Britons from the UK grew rapidly over the decade, from 17,000 in 1994 to 120,000 in 2004. The largest numbers out-migrating are in the 25 to 44 age group, but since 1999 there has also been a net outflow of British citizens aged 45 to state pension age. In 2003, around two fifths of British citizens out-migrating were moving to other countries in the EU and over one quarter to Australia or New Zealand.
Source: International migration, Office for National Statistics
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