Migration in and out of London

What does this graph show?

Thousands of people move in and out of London every year. The graph shows migration to and from London, both domestically and internationally.

International inward migration (150,000 people in 2009) is higher than international outward migration (120,000 people), but these two figures have been converging. Moreover, the former is lower than at any time in the previous 12 years.

Domestic outward migration is higher than domestic inward migration (220,000 compared to 180,000). Again, though, these figures are converging. In the last three years, the number of people moving into London from the rest of Great Britain has overtaken the number moving to London from other parts of the world.

Over the last decade, the total inward minus total outward migration has left a small net outward flow in almost every year. In sum, then, London's population grows because births outnumber deaths, not because of immigration. But that is only part of the story. London's population is not remotely static.

Data used

ONS Long Term International Migration Statistics Series 2.1 and ONS Internal Migration time Series, GOR Level Moves

Indicator last updated: 27 January 2012