Nigeria Ranks Second In UK Long-Term Migration Figures For 2024 — ONS Report

Nigeria has emerged as the second-largest source of long-term migrants to the United Kingdom in 2024, according to new data released by the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The report, which covers the year ending June 2024, shows that approximately 120,000 Nigerians migrated to the UK within the period, placing Nigeria just behind India, which topped the chart with 240,000 migrants.

The figures focus on non-EU+ nationals—individuals from outside the European Union and associated European countries—and provide insights into their nationalities, reasons for migration, and demographic characteristics.

Top 5 Non-EU+ Countries of Origin (2024):

• India—240,000

• Nigeria—120,000

• Pakistan—101,000

• China—78,000

• Zimbabwe—36,000

Migration Demographics:

The ONS report revealed that migration among non-EU+ nationals had a balanced gender ratio, with 52% male and 48% female.

The majority of migrants (82%) were within the working-age group (16 to 64 years). Children under 16 made up 17%, while only 1% of migrants were aged 65 and above.

Primary Reasons for Migration:

The report highlighted that the leading driver of long-term migration for non-EU+ nationals was employment, with 417,000 individuals arriving in the UK for work-related reasons, including both skilled and seasonal jobs.

This was followed closely by education, with 375,000 migrants entering the UK to pursue academic opportunities—underscoring the country’s continued attraction as a global education hub.

Other reported reasons for migration included

• Asylum seekers—84,000

• Family reunification—76,000

• Humanitarian and resettlement programs—67,000

The data reflects the UK’s ongoing reliance on foreign labour and education-driven migration, particularly from countries like Nigeria and India, as well as the broader socio-political dynamics shaping global migration trends.