UK Population movements

• The South East (550,889) experienced the largest net gain from internal migration – immigration less emigration to and from other UK regions - between 1998 and 2007 with 550,889 more moving to the region than left it. The South West recorded the second highest level of net internal migration (514,511)
• The South East was the most popular region for people to move to from elsewhere in the UK. A total of 2.2 million moved to the South East from other regions between 1998 and 2007, 39% more than the 1.6 million who migrated to London  from elsewhere in the UK
• London's population has risen by a net 370,000 over the last decade, despite net migration to the suburbs and elsewhere (see below). This was because the capital has seen by far the biggest level of net international migration with 1.8 million more people moving to London from abroad than have moved from the capital to live outside the UK. London also saw the second largest level of internal immigration with 1.6 million people relocating to the capital from elsewhere in the UK
• At the same time, almost two million people moved out of the capital to live in other parts of the country during the ten years to 2007.  This was the biggest number to move away from any of the 12 UK regions to live elsewhere in the UK
• Londonrecorded the biggest increase in population between 1998 and 2007.  The North East (-26,000) and North West (-27,000) were the only UK regions to see an overall decline in their population

Martin Ellis, Halifax chief economist, said:

"There have been significant population movements across the UK over the past ten years. Regions in southern England saw the largest gain from internal migration with the South East proving the most popular region for people to move to from elsewhere in the UK."

KEY FINDINGS OF THE RESEARCH

South East has received the biggest lift from internal migration over the past decade

The South East experienced the largest net gain from internal migration - immigration less emigration to and from other UK regions - between 1998 and 2007. Since 1998, 550,889 more people have moved to the South East from elsewhere in the UK than have left to live in another region. This was 7% more than the South West, recipients of the second highest net gain from internal migration (514,511).

Londonrecorded the only net loss from internal migration

London recorded the only net loss from internal migration (-344,558) of any UK region. However, this loss was more than offset by the arrival of nearly two million people to London from abroad since 1998 (see below).

South East proves the most popular region to move to since 1998

Six of the twelve UK regions saw at least one million people migrate to their region from another UK region over the past ten years. The South East was the most popular region for people to move to between 1998 and 2007 with more than 2.2 million people arriving from elsewhere in the UK.  This was 39% more than the 1.6 million who migrated to London from elsewhere in the UK.

Nearly two million have left London to live elsewhere in the UK between 1998 and 2007

Almost two million people moved out of the capital to live in other parts of the country during the ten years to 2007. This was the biggest number to move away from any of the 12 UK regions to live elsewhere in the UK. Therefore, London recorded the only net loss from internal migration (-344,558) of any UK region.

Eight regions saw at least 750,000 people depart for another UK region

The South East experienced the second highest level of emigration to elsewhere in the UK (1.7 million), followed by the East of England (1 million). Eight of the twelve UK regions saw at least three quarters of a million people depart for another UK region. In contrast, Northern Ireland (95,551) recorded the lowest level of internal emigration followed by the North East (335,280).

The capital experiences the largest increase in population

Overall, London's population has risen by 370,000 over the last decade, the biggest increase of any region despite being the only region to experience a net loss from internal migration. This was because the capital has seen by far the highest level of net international migration with 1.8 million more people moving to London from abroad than have moved from the capital to live outside the UK.

North East and North West have seen a fall in population

The North East (-26,000) and North West (-27,000) were the only UK regions to see an overall decline in their population between 1998 and 2007.      

Components of changes in Regional Populations, 1998-2007 (000s)

Sources: ONS, Halifax

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