How Many Immigrants Are in the UK in 2025?

Whenever immigration comes up, especially in developed countries like the UK, the conversations can get heated very quickly. People throw around numbers, make bold claims, and sometimes spread myths that aren’t backed by facts. So without further ado, we are going to break it down clearly. How many immigrants are actually in the UK in 2025?

The Latest Numbers We Know

The most reliable full count still comes from the 2021/22 Census. Back then, the UK had about 10.7 million people who were born abroad, making up around 16% of the total population.

Now, it’s important to note that the Census isn’t done every year. So we don’t have an exact 2025 figure yet. But what we do have are immigration and visa statistics that give us a good picture of how the numbers are changing.

For example:

• In the year ending March 2025, the UK issued 874,624 visas for work, study, family, or humanitarian reasons (not including tourist visas).
• In 2024, the UK recorded net migration of 431,000 people. This figure stands for the number of arrivals minus the number of people leaving.

So while we can’t say with certainty “there are X million immigrants in the UK in 2025”, we know that the number is higher than the 10.7 million recorded in 2021/22, and it continues to grow each year.

Why the Numbers Matter

This is where things get interesting. People often search things like “Why are there so many immigrants in the UK?” or “Are immigrants taking jobs?” These questions usually come from a place of fear or frustration, but when we look closely at the data available, it tells a different story.

Immigrants are not only part of the UK’s population. They go beyond that into being a big part of what keeps the country moving. From healthcare workers and teachers to restaurant staff and IT specialists, many industries would struggle without them.

And here’s where it even gets more interesting. Numerous studies consistently show that immigrants actually contribute more to the economy through taxes and spending than they take out in benefits.

Looking Beyond the Myths

Yes, immigration changes the look and feel of a country. There is no denying that. For example, take a walk through London today and you’ll hear dozens of languages and smell foods from every corner of the world. Some people find that unsettling but others think that that’s what makes the UK dynamic, creative, and globally connected.

When we talk about immigration in numbers, it’s easy to forget that behind every statistic is a human being. A family moving for better opportunities. A student chasing education. A worker filling a shortage in hospitals or farms. The truth is that these are real lives and not just numbers.

The Bottom Line

So, how many immigrants are in the UK in 2025?

• The last official count was 10.7 million (16% of the population) back in 2021/22.
• Since then, the number has grown, with nearly 900,000 long-term visas granted in just one year and net migration adding over 400,000 people in 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions About Immigration in the UK

Immigration is one of those topics that sparks a lot of debate in the UK, and with it comes plenty of myths and half-truths. To clear things up, here are some of the most common questions people ask along with straight answers backed by facts.

What nationality are most immigrants to the UK?

When people ask me this question, they usually expect one simple answer but there’s is no one simple answer. The truth is more layered. The UK has a long history of immigration, and that history shapes who’s here today.

According to the Oxford Migration Observatory, the top foreign-born communities in the UK are from India, Poland, and Pakistan, followed by Ireland, Romania, Nigeria, and Bangladesh. Now we all should know that these groups didn’t just appear overnight. They are a reflection of both the UK’s colonial connections and more recent migration waves from the EU.

For example:

• India and Pakistan: Migration from South Asia surged after World War II. Many people from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh came to the UK to rebuild the economy, especially working in factories, the textile industry, and public transport. Today, they form some of the largest communities in cities like London, Birmingham, and Manchester.

• Poland: The big Polish wave came after the EU expansion in 2004, when workers were free to move to the UK. Many worked in agriculture, construction, and service jobs. Even though some have returned home after Brexit, Poland still remains one of the top sources of immigrants.

• Ireland: Irish people have been moving to Britain for centuries, and there’s still a strong Irish community today, particularly in cities like Liverpool, Manchester, and London.

• Romania and Nigeria: In the past decade, more Romanians have moved to the UK for work opportunities, especially in farming and construction. Nigerians, on the other hand, are part of a strong African diaspora, with many working in healthcare and education.

So when you hear someone say, “There are too many immigrants”, it’s worth pointing out that immigration to the UK isn’t new. This has been happening for generations, and it’s woven into the country’s history.

Do immigrants take British jobs?

This is one of the biggest myths I hear all the time, and the truth is I understand why people ask it. The fear is that immigrants arrive, work for less money, and leave British citizens unemployed. But when you look at the facts, that story just doesn’t hold up.

Research from the Economic Policy Institute and the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that immigrants often fill jobs that locals don’t want or that have severe shortages.

Let me give you a few examples:

• Healthcare: The NHS would collapse without immigrant workers. Around one in five NHS staff is foreign-born, including doctors from India, nurses from the Philippines, and care workers from Africa.

• Agriculture: Farms across the UK rely heavily on seasonal workers from Eastern Europe. Without them, fruit and vegetables would literally rot in the fields.

• Hospitality: Walk into a hotel or restaurant in London, and you’ll meet staff from all over the world. These roles are often difficult to fill with local labour alone.

And when it comes to the economy, immigrants are actually not a burden. They actually help to boost the economy. Studies have found out that immigrants actually contribute more in taxes than they take in benefits. In other words, they’re helping fund public services, not draining them.

So instead of saying, “Immigrants take our jobs”, the reality is that immigrants keep the economy moving in areas where there simply aren’t enough British workers.

Do immigrants get free housing and benefits in the UK?

This is one of the biggest myths I hear. The idea that people arrive in the UK and are instantly given free housing and benefits just isn’t true.

Most new arrivals actually have what’s called “no recourse to public funds” (NRPF) written into their visas. That means they cannot claim things like housing benefit, Universal Credit, or child benefit until they have lived and worked in the UK for a certain amount of time.

Take skilled workers, for example. If someone moves to the UK to take a job in the NHS, they are expected to support themselves and their families without any access to public benefits. Asylum seekers, while waiting for their cases to be decided, are given very limited support. It is currently somewhere in the region of £47 a week for essentials, plus very basic accommodation. That is a long way from the “luxury handouts” some people talk about.

And when you look at the bigger picture, studies from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) show that immigrants contribute more in taxes than they take in benefits. In other words, they help fund the very system that people often assume they are draining.

Do immigrants commit more crime in the UK?

This is another stereotype that falls apart once you look at the facts. Research shows that immigrants are no more likely, and often less likely, to commit crimes compared to people born in the UK.

For example, a Home Office study found that foreign-born individuals were actually under-represented in crime statistics when compared to their share of the overall population. The Oxford Migration Observatory also makes it clear that immigration does not drive crime rates up, even though the media sometimes gives that impression.

The truth is, if a crime is committed by someone who is foreign-born, the headlines often highlight their immigration status. But if the same crime is committed by someone British-born, it is just reported as a regular crime story. That double standard fuels the myth. In reality, immigrants often have even more reason to stay out of trouble because their residency, jobs, and family stability depend on it.

Why does the UK accept so many immigrants?

This is a question that comes up again and again. The UK takes in immigrants for a few main reasons. Let’s look at them one after the other.

First, the country has an aging population. More people are retiring than entering the workforce, which creates gaps in vital areas like healthcare and construction. Immigration helps fill those gaps.

Second, there are labour shortages in specific industries. The NHS, for example, depends on thousands of foreign-born doctors, nurses, and care workers. Agriculture also relies heavily on seasonal workers from countries in Eastern Europe. Without immigrants, many farms simply could not function.

Third, the UK has international commitments to accept refugees. This means offering protection to people fleeing war, violence, or persecution. In recent years, this has included people from Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.

And then there’s the cultural side. Immigration has shaped the UK for generations. Food, music, art, and even sport have been transformed by immigrant communities. Think about it: curry is often called the national dish of Britain, reggae and Afrobeats have shaped the UK music scene, and London’s financial district thrives on global talent.

So the answer isn’t that the UK is “too soft”. It’s that immigration keeps the country running and adds to its culture.