Net migration to the United Kingdom (UK) fell by almost 50 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to estimates from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Data revealed that 431,000 more people globally, including Nigerians entered the UK than left over the 12-month period, a significant drop from the 860,000 recorded in 2023. This marks the largest numerical decline ever recorded.
The fall was driven by a reduction in arrivals for work and study following policy changes introduced by the previous Conservative government. A substantial number of international students who arrived after pandemic restrictions eased have now left.
There was also a significant drop in the number of dependents accompanying individuals on work and study visas.
The previous biggest annual fall occurred during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic when net migration declined from 184,000 in 2019 to 93,000 in 2020.
Read also: UK saw 1.2 million immigrants between 2023 to 2024, 86% non-EU nationals
Impact of visa restrictions
The decrease was largely influenced by restrictions on visas introduced by the outgoing Conservative government and the lasting impact of the pandemic.
There was a notable reduction in the number of international students bringing family members to the UK, which had been a key objective of policies introduced by James Cleverly, the former Conservative home secretary.
Additionally, the end of global travel restrictions prompted many individuals who had delayed their plans to finally leave the UK, including those who originally arrived for study purposes.
Changes in asylum accommodation
Separate figures released by the Home Office on Thursday indicates that the number of asylum seekers housed in hotels has fallen, though levels remain higher than when Labour took office last year.
In March 2025, 32,345 asylum seekers were living in taxpayer-funded hotels, down from 38,079 in December 2024. This number is significantly lower than the peak of 58,636 recorded under the previous Conservative government in June 2023.
However, this represents a 9 percent increase since Labour came to power. In June 2024, 29,585 asylum seekers were housed in hotels.
The Home Office has accelerated the processing of asylum claims, including applications from small boat arrivals. Regardless of how many arrive daily, more individuals are now being granted refugee status and allowed to work, while others are being informed of their removal.
Ministers hope that these efforts, combined with measures to combat cross-channel migration, will ultimately reduce the number of people staying in hotels.
On Thursday, the government highlighted data showing that 29,867 individuals, including failed asylum seekers and foreign criminals, had been deported.
Read also: UK Immigration White Paper: 10 sweeping reforms Nigerians need to know
Government and political reactions
Yvette Cooper, UK’s Home Secretary announced that net migration had dropped by 300,000 since last year’s election and pledged further reductions in line with measures outlined in the Immigration White Paper.
“These figures show a significant increase in the removal of failed asylum seekers and foreign national offenders, record levels of illegal working penalties, and a decline in the asylum backlog and hotel use,” she stated
“We are taking even stronger action by introducing new counter-terrorism style powers to enhance border security and dismantle human smuggling networks behind this cruel trade.”
