Based on recent data, India is the top country of origin for people moving to the UK long-term, driven by work and study visas. As of 2024, India, along with Pakistan, China, Nigeria, and Ukraine, represents the largest groups of new arrivals, particularly following significant changes in migration patterns.
More than eight in ten people who moved to the UK between 2021 and 2024 were non-EU citizens. ...
Indian was the most common nationality of people migrating to the UK since 2005, and Indians accounted for a quarter of all non-EU arrivals since 2021.
What is the largest foreign nationality in the UK?
In 2020/21 there were approximately 696,000 Polish nationals living in the United Kingdom, the highest non-British population at this time. Indian and Irish were the joint second-largest nationalities at approximately 370,000 people.
Some of the most popular countries for British expats include Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA. When it comes to the EU, Brits usually choose Spain, Portugal and Ireland. It's estimated that around 1.3 million UK citizens reside in the EU.
Of the countries polled, Sweden is the non-Anglosphere country seen as friendliest to Britain, with 80% of the public seeing the UK and Sweden as having a positive relationship.
The top immigrant nationalities in the UK vary slightly by data source (overall population vs. new arrivals), but recent figures consistently highlight India, Poland, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Romania, with India often leading, followed by significant numbers from EU countries like Poland and Romania, and emerging flows from Nigeria, China, and Ukraine, often driven by work, family, or asylum seeking.
Since 1922, the United Kingdom has been made up of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales (which collectively make up Great Britain) and Northern Ireland (variously described as a country, province, jurisdiction or region).
But do people seeking asylum get this free housing forever? No. When someone gets refugee status, they can no longer stay in asylum accommodation. They can choose where to live, but they have to pay for their rent or ask for government help – like any UK citizen.
The sharp rise in the number of regular migrants can be attributed to the liberalisation of migration laws, making it easier for non-EU migrants to work in the UK, a campaign aimed at attracting more foreign students, and the high number of visas granted to people from Ukraine and Hong Kong on humanitarian grounds.
What are the top 5 countries claiming asylum in the UK?
There were 89,509 asylum applications (relating to 110,051 people) in the UK in the year to September 2025, a 13% increase from the previous 12 months. The top five countries of origin of people seeking asylum were Pakistan, Eritrea, Iran, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
In the 1960s, civil and political unrest in Nigeria contributed to many refugees migrating to Britain, along with skilled workers. Nigerians emigrated in larger numbers in the 1980s, following the collapse of the petroleum boom.
Indian origin households lead as the UK's wealthiest ethnic group, as per a report by LSE, with median wealth jumping from £93,000 from 2012/14 to 2021/23—outpacing others through hard work, homeownership and smart investments.
There are approximately 4 million Muslims in the UK, making up about 6.5% of the population, according to the 2021 Census for England and Wales. This is an increase from 2.7 million in 2011, with significant growth in Muslim communities across England and Wales, and smaller but growing numbers in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The term BAME has been called into question due to the ambiguity of Minority Ethnic along with the insidious way in which it maintains whiteness. The term Global Ethnic Majority was created by Rosemary Campbell-Stephens MBE.
Asylum seekers in the UK generally receive about £7.03 per day (£49.18 per week) in cash support for essential living costs like food, toiletries, and clothing, but this amount is reduced to about £1.42 per day (£9.95 per week) if the GOV.UKHome Office provides accommodation with meals GOV.UK. This money is provided on a pre-paid card and is intended to cover basic needs, as asylum seekers are typically not allowed to work.
How many illegal migrants are going to the UK in 2025?
A total of 41,472 migrants crossed the Channel in small boats in 2025 - almost 5,000 more than the previous year. Home Office figures showed a 13% rise on the 36,566 total in 2024. It was the highest number since 2022, when nearly 46,000 migrants crossed.
The table and chart below use Home Office statistics. These figures include dependants. In 2021 the UK was 4th in Europe in terms of the number of first-time asylum applications. Germany had the highest figure.
Cities across the UK regions with high White British populations included Swansea (91.5%), Kingston Upon Hull (89.7%), Plymouth (92.2%), Darlington (93.7%), Belfast (96.4% – NI classification "white"), Norwich (84.7%), Liverpool (84.8%) and Chelmsford (90.0%).
The UK achieves the highest attractiveness ratings in Kenya and the Ukraine (both 88 per cent) and lowest in Japan (55 per cent). However, percentage figures mask cultural differences across countries in the way people answer questions in a survey.
