Nigeria has become the second-largest source of long-term migrants to the United Kingdom in 2024, according to newly released data from the UK’s Office for National Statistics.
The figures show that 120,000 Nigerians relocated to the UK in the year ending June 2024, placing the country just behind India, which recorded 240,000 immigrants during the same period.
The ONS report focused specifically on non-EU+ nationals, referring to migrants originating from outside the European Union and select European countries. The study analyzed demographic patterns, migration motivations, and nationalities among these groups.
The findings indicate that Nigerian migrants, along with other top-source countries, primarily moved to the UK for work and educational opportunities.
The top five non-EU+ source countries for UK immigration were India (240,000), Nigeria (120,000), Pakistan (101,000), China (78,000), and Zimbabwe (36,000). Demographic breakdowns revealed a near-even gender distribution among these migrants, with 52 per cent male and 48 per cent female.
Age distribution data showed that 82 per cent of non-EU+ migrants fell within the working-age bracket of 16 to 64 years, while 17 per cent were children under 16. Only 1 per cent of migrants were aged 65 or older.
The ONS report highlighted that work-related reasons drove the largest share of non-EU+ immigration, with 417,000 people relocating for employment opportunities including skilled and seasonal work. Education followed closely as the second major motivation, accounting for 375,000 migrants. These trends underscore the UK’s continued demand for foreign labor and its status as a premier destination for international students.
Additional migration pathways included 84,000 individuals arriving through asylum claims, 76,000 for family reunification, and 67,000 via humanitarian and resettlement programs.