By D. W .G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News
Record Net Migration Numbers in Scotland
Net migration to Scotland more than doubled between 2021 and 2022, reaching the highest level in a decade, according to newly released figures from the National Records of Scotland (NRS). In the year leading up to June 2022, Scotland saw a net migration of 48,800 people, a significant jump from the 22,200 recorded the previous year. This dramatic rise is largely attributed to higher levels of international migration to major cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh. Esther Roughsedge, NRS head of population and migration statistics, highlighted the substantial increase in the number of international students as a key factor driving this surge.
The countries from which these students are arriving have shifted notably in recent years. Post Brexit, there has been a marked decline in students coming from EU countries, while the number of students from non EU countries has risen sharply. Chinese students, in particular, have shown the highest increase, with their numbers rising from 9.5 per 1,000 in the 2017/18 academic year to 20.8 per 1,000 in 2021/22.
Comparing Migration Trends Across the UK
The increase in Scotland’s net migration aligns with broader trends observed across the UK. The NRS data indicates that in the 2021-2022 period, 36,300 more people moved to Scotland from outside the UK than left, compared to 13,300 the previous year. Additionally, net migration from the rest of the UK to Scotland rose to 12,500, up from 8,900 in the previous year.
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for the entire UK shows a net migration figure of 685,000 for 2023, which includes asylum seekers. Of these migrants, 11% were from EU countries, while a significant 82% came from non EU countries. The remaining 7% were British nationals returning to the UK. Similar to Scotland, the primary reason for migration from non EU countries to the UK was education, with 423,000 individuals arriving for study purposes.
These migration trends underscore the significant role that international students play in shaping the demographic landscape of Scotland and the wider UK. As universities continue to attract students from around the globe, their influence on migration patterns and population growth remains substantial.
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