Post on 25-Dec-2015
“Bye Bye Blighty!” – ditching the umbrella and other reasons for emigrating from the UK
Rosemary Murray
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Why does emigration from the UK matter?
● Main focus on inward migration rather than emigration.
● Recent interest in emigration from the UK is mainly due to the contribution it makes to net UK migration
● Net emigration of British Citizens grew during the 2000s peaking at around 132,000 in 2007.
● In 2010 net emigration of British citizens fell back to just 43,000 - lowest net outflow since 1999.
● due more to a fall in emigration than a rise in British Citizens returning from abroad although this did also rise.
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British Citizens’ migration to and from the UK
-250
-200
-150
-100
-50
0
50
100
150
200
250
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Year
Th
ou
sa
nd
s
British Citizens Net British Citizens em igrating
British Citizens returning All net
Source: IPS
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International Passenger Survey (IPS)
● This is currently the main source of data on emigration from the UK and is the source of the estimates shown here
● Office for National Statistics
● http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/re-reference-tables.html?edition=tcm%3A77-47640
● Passengers are stopped by the IPS interview team at air and sea ports and the Channel Tunnel as they enter and leave the UK.
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British Citizens’ main purpose of emigrating
Source: IPS
Emigration by British Citizens by main purpose
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Th
ou
san
ds
Definite job Looking for work Accompany/join Formal study Other
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Who emigrates?
Source: IPS
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009
Th
ou
sa
nd
s
Under 15 15-24 25-44 45-59/64 60/65 and over
British citizens emigrating- by age groups
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Who emigrates?
Source: IPS
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009
Th
ou
san
ds
Professional and managerial Manual and clerical Students Other adults
British citizens emigrating- by previous occupation
8
Top destinations for British emigration
Over the last 10 years these countries have fairly consistently been the key emigration destinations for British Citizens
● Australia
● Spain
● France
● United States of America
● New Zealand
● Germany
● Canada
● Netherlands
Source: IPS
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Top destinations for British emigration
Source: IPS
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Th
ou
sa
nd
s
Australia Spain USA France Germany New Zealand Canada
10
Mapping purposes to destinations
● Work and accompanying/joining : All of the destination countries are associated with emigration for work, but particularly● United States of America● Australia● Canada● Germany
● Study: particularly in United States of America
● Return migration: particularly Jamaica
● Retirement and ‘lifestyle migration’: particularly● Spain● France
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Reasons for emigrating
Vary with purpose of emigration and destination but these are frequently mentioned in the research literature
● Warmer climate (sometimes for health benefits of warmer, drier climate)
● Slower, more relaxed pace of life
● Lower cost of living- especially lower property prices
● Outdoor lifestyle
● Culture more friendly for families
● Family ties, ‘roots’
● Culture more respectful of elderly people
● International study, access to world standard universities
● Access to research funding
● Career, employment, earning opportunities
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Facilitators and Barriers to UK emigration
Economic
● Employment opportunities abroad
● Differentials in property prices
● Differentials in cost of living
● Exchange rates
Social
● Distance from family and friends
● Cheap and frequent flights, rail links
● Communication Technology such as internet and Skype, facebook
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Questions?