UK Immigration Trends 2024: Nigerians Among Top Non-EU Nationals Entering the UK Despite Overall Migration Drop

 

Recent data from the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) has shed new light on immigration patterns in the United Kingdom for the year ending December 2024. The figures reveal a fascinating and somewhat mixed picture: while the overall net migration to the UK has nearly halved compared to the previous year, immigration from certain countries, particularly Nigeria, remains significant.

Nigerian Immigration to the UK in 2024: A Closer Look

According to the ONS data, approximately 52,000 Nigerians immigrated to the UK in the year ending December 2024. This marks Nigerians as one of the largest groups of non-European Union plus (non-EU+) nationals migrating to the UK last year. Despite the broader downward trend in net migration, Nigerians continue to represent a substantial portion of arrivals, mainly driven by work and study opportunities.

Breaking down these numbers further, the ONS reported that:

• 27,000 Nigerians arrived on work-related visas,

• 22,000 came to study, and

• 3,000 entered under other immigration categories.

This distribution highlights a strong link between Nigerian migration and economic as well as educational pursuits in the UK.

How Nigeria Compares with Other Non-EU+ Countries

Nigeria’s role as a major contributor to non-EU+ migration places it alongside other populous countries such as India, Pakistan, and China. These countries consistently feature among the highest sources of immigration to the UK outside the EU.

The ONS report specifically notes:

“For YE December 2024, Indian was the most common non-EU+ nationality to immigrate to the UK. It also shows that for Indian, Pakistani and Nigerian nationals, work- and study-related immigration estimates were fairly similar.”

This means that for Nigerian immigrants, as with Indian and Pakistani nationals, the reasons for moving to the UK are largely split between employment and education, indicating a balanced mix of economic and academic migration.

The ONS also pointed out:

“For Chinese nationals, study-related immigration was far more common (53,000 for study-related and 5,000 for work-related). Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, and Nigerian are regularly among the top five most frequent non-EU+ nationalities for long-term immigration.”

This comparison is important for understanding how migration motivations vary by nationality. While Nigerians, Indians, and Pakistanis are nearly equally split between work and study visas, Chinese immigrants tend to come primarily for educational reasons.

Demographics of Non-EU+ Immigrants in 2024

The demographic data for non-EU+ immigrants in 2024 reveals interesting insights about the age and gender composition of these migrant populations.

• Around 52% were male, while

• 48% were female.

This relatively balanced gender distribution suggests diverse migration patterns among families and individuals, with both men and women actively moving to the UK for various opportunities.

In terms of age:

“The majority (83%) of non-EU+ nationals who came to live in the UK long term in YE December 2024 were of working age (between 16 and 64 years). Around 16% were children (under 16 years) and around 1% were aged 65 years or over.”

This indicates that most migrants are in their prime working and studying years, reinforcing the narrative that migration is largely linked to economic and educational factors.

Overall Net Migration to the UK Nearly Halved in 2024

Despite the significant number of Nigerians and other non-EU nationals arriving, the overall net migration to the UK dropped by nearly 50% year-on-year. The ONS estimates long-term net migration to be approximately 431,000 for the year ending December 2024, compared to 860,000 the previous year.

Net migration is calculated as the difference between the number of people immigrating to the UK and those emigrating from the country. The sharp decline signals major shifts in migration flows.

The ONS explains the cause of this decrease:

“This change is driven by a decrease in immigration from non-EU+ nationals, where we are seeing reductions in people arriving on work- and study-related visas, and an increase in emigration over the 12 months to December 2024, especially people leaving who originally came on study visas once pandemic travel restrictions to the UK were eased.”

This means fewer new arrivals are coming on work and study visas compared to the previous year, while more migrants, particularly former students, are leaving the UK as normal travel resumes post-pandemic.

What This Means for Nigeria and the UK

The steady inflow of Nigerians to the UK despite the overall migration slowdown reflects a continuing demand for skilled labor and educational opportunities. Nigeria’s young and working-age population is evidently taking advantage of UK immigration pathways to pursue careers and higher education abroad.

For the UK, this trend underscores the importance of Nigerian immigrants as a vital part of its labor market and academic institutions. Nigerian professionals and students contribute significantly to various sectors, including healthcare, technology, academia, and more.

Summary

In conclusion, while overall UK net migration fell dramatically in 2024, Nigeria remains one of the top contributors of non-EU+ immigrants, with tens of thousands arriving primarily for work and study. This data from the UK Office for National Statistics highlights the continuing strong ties between Nigeria and the UK through migration, despite wider global and policy changes. With Nigerians ranked among the top non-EU nationals immigrating to the UK, their impact on the country’s economy, education system, and multicultural fabric remains substantial.

If you are a Nigerian considering migrating to the UK for work or study, these figures reflect a vibrant and ongoing flow of fellow countrymen and women who continue to pursue opportunities abroad. Staying informed with reliable data such as the ONS reports can guide your decisions and help you understand current trends in UK immigration.