UK Net Migration Plummets to 171,000 in New Official Data
UK net migration has hit its lowest point outside of the pandemic era since 2012. Newly released figures from the Office for National Statistics show net migration falling to 171,000 for the year ending December 2025, marking a sharp 48% drop over a 12-month period.
Total immigration dropped by 20% to 813,000 people arriving between January 2025 and December 2025, while emigration dipped by 6% to 642,000 people leaving the country.
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| Metric | Figure | Change and Reporting Period |
|---|---|---|
| Net Migration | 171,000 | Down 48% (Jan 2025, Dec 2025) |
| Immigration Arrivals | 813,000 | Down 20% (Jan 2025, Dec 2025) |
| Emigration Departures | 642,000 | Down 6% (Jan 2025, Dec 2025) |
| Asylum Applications | 85,891 | Down 21% (Jul 2025, Jun 2026) |
| Returns and Deportations | 40,605 | Up 8% (Jul 2025, Jun 2026) |
| Small Boat Arrivals | 17,425 | Down 44% (1 Jan 2026, 14 Sep 2026) |
Between 1 January and 14 September 2026, a total of 17,425 people crossed the English Channel from France in small boats, representing a 44% decrease compared to the same period the previous year. These crossings remain the most common method of illegal entry detected since 2020. Boats arriving between September 2025 and September 2026 carried an average of 68 people, more than double the average recorded in 2021. The United Nations documented at least 84 deaths during Channel crossing attempts in 2024.
People from Eritrea accounted for 18% of all small boat arrivals between July 2025 and June 2026. The Home Office also identified 2,335 potential victims of human trafficking or modern slavery among those arrivals during the 2025 calendar year. Overall, total asylum applications reached 85,891 for the year ending June 2026, dropping 21% from the previous year. Small boat arrivals made up 40% of those asylum claims, and under international law, applicants are permitted to stay in the country while their claims are evaluated. Another 4,712 people were detected entering the country illegally via other methods like hiding in vehicles or traveling on ferries, which is down 17% from the previous year.
As of June 2026, the government housed 89,089 people in asylum accommodation. Out of that total, 16,021 individuals, roughly 18%, were placed in hotels due to shortages in shared housing such as former military sites or houses of multiple occupation. The government has pledged to completely phase out the use of hotels for asylum seekers by 2029. Meanwhile, returns and deportations rose by 8% to reach 40,605 people over the year ending June 2026.
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