Ten years after the Brexit referendum, British immigration figures reveal a dramatic shift. According to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), published on November 12, 2026, the number of foreign-born individuals living in the United Kingdom increased by 55% between 2015 and 2024. This growth calls into question the promises of immigration control that accompanied the UK's departure from the European Union.
Brexit was supposed to allow the United Kingdom to regain control of its borders and immigration policy. However, the latest data published by the OECD shows that the immigrant population has continued to grow significantly. By 2024, the country had 13,1 million foreign-born residents, representing 19% of its total population. Compared to 2015, this population has increased by 55%, representing approximately 4,6 million additional people in nine years.
These figures concern all residents born outside the United Kingdom, regardless of their current nationality. They therefore also include people who have acquired British citizenship. They should not be confused with the annual arrival of new migrants or with illegal immigration. Furthermore, the period studied begins before the June 2016 referendum, whereas the free movement of European citizens only effectively ended in December 2020.
Brexit has changed the origins of immigration without interrupting its progression
One of the main changes concerns the origin of migrants. Before Brexit, a significant proportion of new arrivals came from European Union member states, particularly Poland and Romania . Since the end of free movement, this European immigration has decreased considerably. Conversely, arrivals of nationals from countries outside the European Union have increased sharply, mainly for professional, academic, and family reasons.
According to OECD data, India accounts for 9% of the UK's immigrant population, followed by Poland at 7% and Pakistan at 5%. This trend reflects changes in the British immigration system, now based on visas and admission criteria applicable to most foreign nationals. The country thus continues to attract workers, students, and families, despite the restrictions introduced since its departure from the European Union.
A sharp increase in the early 2020s
The growth of the foreign-born population accelerated significantly after the Covid-19 pandemic. The UK experienced high levels of immigration in the early 2020s, particularly in sectors facing recruitment difficulties. Healthcare, home care, higher education, and various service industries contributed to this demand for foreign workers.
Data from the UK Office for National Statistics shows that the population born outside the UK increased from approximately 11,5 million in 2022 to 13,1 million in 2024. This increase is mainly due to people from non-EU countries. Over the same period, the population born in the EU decreased slightly. Brexit has therefore significantly altered the composition of British immigration, without causing an immediate drop in the total number of immigrant residents.
However, new arrivals are starting to decline.
The OECD report also highlights a more recent trend. In 2025, the United Kingdom welcomed 296,000 new long-term or permanent immigrants, according to the organization's definition, representing a 32% decrease compared to 2024. Among these new arrivals, 23% were for professional reasons, 57% for family reasons (including accompanying relatives), and 17% for humanitarian reasons.
This decrease comes after several decisions aimed at tightening entry requirements. The British government notably raised the income thresholds required for certain work visas and limited family reunification opportunities for several categories of migrants. These restrictions have contributed to a reduction in some arrivals, particularly those related to work and studies. The increase in the immigrant population observed over nine years therefore does not mean that migration flows are continuing to increase at the same rate today.
Immigration remains at the heart of British political debate
The issue of migration remains one of the main points of political contention in the United Kingdom. Brexit supporters, in particular, argued for the need to end European free movement to allow the British government greater freedom in deciding the number and profile of people authorized to settle in the country. Figures published by the OECD show that this institutional change alone has not led to a reduction in the immigrant population.
Successive governments have had to balance sometimes conflicting objectives: reducing immigration, meeting the needs of businesses, and preserving the attractiveness of British universities. Healthcare facilities and certain economic sectors, in particular, have continued to rely on international recruitment. At the same time, pressure on housing, infrastructure, and public services fuels debates about the country's capacity to accommodate immigrants.
A lasting challenge for the British government
Faced with these challenges, London is continuing to tighten its immigration policy. The White Paper, presented in May 2025, notably plans to strengthen the conditions for accessing professional visas and to revise the rules allowing foreigners to obtain permanent residency. The authorities also want to accelerate return procedures and reform the asylum system.
OECD data illustrates a major paradox of the British decade: the country left the European Union partly to regain control of immigration, yet its foreign-born population increased significantly during this period. This trend does not allow us to attribute the entire increase to Brexit, as it results from several economic, demographic, and political factors. It nevertheless underscores that border control and the effective reduction of immigration are two distinct objectives, the outcomes of which depend on the policies implemented and the country's needs.
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