Khaberni - Official government figures in Britain have revealed that more than a quarter of a million citizens have migrated from the country, leaving Britain last year alone, while the government said that this number is more than triple the rate that was expected.
A report published by the local "Evening Standard" newspaper stated that 257,000 British citizens left the country in the year ending December 2024, compared to the previous estimate of only 77,000.
The Office for National Statistics reported that net migration, the difference between the number of people moving to Britain for the long term and those leaving, was previously based on the International Passenger Survey, but this survey "surpassed its original purpose" and used a small sample, so it is no longer considered a reliable metric. This led the office to reconsider its statistics and figures, discovering that the real number of British citizens who emigrated last year was 257,000, not 77,000 as previously believed.
According to the office, the current estimates were reached using more accurate and comprehensive data from the Department of Work and Pensions, which includes everyone who has a national insurance number and can be used to determine the potential migration status of individuals in Britain.
This comes amid reports that Britain is on track to lose 16.5 thousand millionaires this year, a record number, amid rising taxes and a campaign to chase after the wealthy who reside in Britain and do not pay taxes, or benefit from tax exemptions that are being abolished.
Wealth Migration
This migration out of Britain is part of a "historic wave of wealth migration", with other countries competing with Britain for capital, according to the "Henley" wealth migration report.
Retired football player Rio Ferdinand left Britain and moved to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, stating that this move was due to rising taxes and the deterioration of public services.
Former Manchester United and England star said: "Things are falling apart and going wrong in the country, then I sit down and wonder: Are we really paying taxes for the benefit of the people here? And that is the most important question that needs an answer, I think many of us know the answer."
Herman Narula, CEO of technology company Improbable, which is valued at 2.5 billion pounds, previously stated that he is preparing to migrate from Britain to the Emirates due to the government imposing a tax aimed at preventing the wealthy from evading tax payments by transferring their wealth abroad.
Among those who left, according to reports, are Richard Gnod, CEO of Goldman Sachs, and Nick Storonsky, co-founder of Revolut.
Net migration to Britain
Net migration to Britain in recent years peaked at a slightly higher level than initially expected, then sharply declined thereafter, according to new figures.
The figures show that net migration peaked at 944,000 in the fiscal year ending March 2023, compared to the previous estimate of 906,000 for the fiscal year ending June 2023.
This was followed by a sharper decline than initially reported, with net migration in the fiscal year ending December 2024 now estimated at 345,000, less than the original estimate of 431,000 people, a figure published by the Office for National Statistics in May of this year.
According to Mary Gregory, director of population statistics at the Office for National Statistics, the office has been exploring various data sources to review its estimates after the 2021 Census showed that the International Passenger Survey underestimated the number of Britons abroad.
She said: "Understanding the long-term international migration patterns of British citizens has always been and will continue to be challenging given the huge number of Britons crossing borders daily"
