Britain has recorded a major slump in population growth from net migration as figures show a huge reduction in the number of people arriving due to the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit.
Data from the Office for National Statistics for 2020 has laid bare shifting migration patterns to and from the UK.
It found that net migration – the difference between immigration and emigration – had fallen by 88 per cent since 2019, to its lowest level since 1993.
Net migration reached 34,000 in 2020, compared with 217,000 the year before, analysis showed.
There was a significant drop in people coming to the country as an estimated 268,000 people immigrated to the UK in 2020, compared with 592,000 people the previous year.
Emigration also fell in 2020, with about 234,000 people leaving the UK to live abroad in 2020, compared with 300,000 people the year before.
A fall in immigration was recorded in all three main groups – European Union citizens, non-EU citizens and returning British expatriates.
A total of 94,000 more EU citizens left Britain than arrived, with far fewer Europeans entering Britain and emigration levels remaining steady.
The authors of the ONS study said in addition to the pandemic, Brexit was a telling factor. Britain left the bloc at the end of January 2020 – although EU citizens retained the right to move to the UK until the end of that year.
The Covid-19 pandemic also severely hampered the ONS's ability to collect migration data as it stopped its traditional practice of surveying passengers at airports and ports.
The provisional data is based on experimental statistical modelling and is likely to be revised, with plausible estimates for 2020 of net immigration of 125,000 to net emigration of 58,000, the ONS said.
The latest census, which will be released next year, will give a clearer picture of migration patterns, it said.
"Although there is no evidence of an exodus from the UK in 2020, global travel restrictions meant the movement of people was limited, with all data sources suggesting migration fell to the lowest level seen for many years," said Jay Lindop, director of the Centre for International migration.
"These are our best current estimates for international migration over this period, however, they are modelled figures based on experimental research and subject to a high level of uncertainty.
"These figures will be updated further early next year as we bring together new sources of data to give the best picture of international migration.”
Oscars in the UAE
The 90th Academy Awards will be aired in the UAE from 3.30am on Monday, March 5 on OSN, with the ceremony starting at 5am
UAE Rugby finals day
Games being played at The Sevens, Dubai
2pm, UAE Conference final
Dubai Tigers v Al Ain Amblers
4pm, UAE Premiership final
Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons
Find the right policy for you
Don’t wait until the week you fly to sign up for insurance – get it when you book your trip. Insurance covers you for cancellation and anything else that can go wrong before you leave.
Some insurers, such as World Nomads, allow you to book once you are travelling – but, as Mr Mohammed found out, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Check your credit card before booking insurance to see if you have any travel insurance as a benefit – most UAE banks, such as Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, have cards that throw in insurance as part of their package. But read the fine print – they may only cover emergencies while you’re travelling, not cancellation before a trip.
Pre-existing medical conditions such as a heart condition, diabetes, epilepsy and even asthma may not be included as standard. Again, check the terms, exclusions and limitations of any insurance carefully.
If you want trip cancellation or curtailment, baggage loss or delay covered, you may need a higher-grade plan, says Ambareen Musa of Souqalmal.com. Decide how much coverage you need for emergency medical expenses or personal liability. Premium insurance packages give up to $1 million (Dh3.7m) in each category, Ms Musa adds.
Don’t wait for days to call your insurer if you need to make a claim. You may be required to notify them within 72 hours. Gather together all receipts, emails and reports to prove that you paid for something, that you didn’t use it and that you did not get reimbursed.
Finally, consider optional extras you may need, says Sarah Pickford of Travel Counsellors, such as a winter sports holiday. Also ensure all individuals can travel independently on that cover, she adds. And remember: “Cheap isn’t necessarily best.”
The biog
Prefers vegetables and fish to meat and would choose salad over pizza
Walks daily as part of regular exercise routine
France is her favourite country to visit
Has written books and manuals on women’s education, first aid and health for the family
Family: Husband, three sons and a daughter
Fathiya Nadhari's instructions to her children was to give back to the country
The children worked as young volunteers in social, education and health campaigns
Her motto is to never stop working for the country
