Recent research commissioned by the EU Delegation to the UK and carried out by the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford offers valuable insights into the experiences, challenges, and contributions of EU citizens living across the UK.
The findings provide a detailed snapshot of a diverse population and reveal how EU citizens have adapted to life in the UK in the years following Brexit.
You can read the original announcement on the EU Delegation to the UK’s website.
Explore the full research series via our Research Hub.
A Diverse and Evolving Population
According to the 2021 Census, 5.34 million EU passport holders were living in the UK. The largest national groups were:
- Polish citizens – over 1 million
- Romanian citizens – over 700,000
- Irish citizens – over 400,000
Around 800,000 EU nationals identified as part of an ethnic minority group, representing 15% of the total EU population in the UK. The largest ethnic minority groups included Asian-Portuguese, Asian-Italian, and Black Italian communities.
At the end of 2022, over 2.3 million EU citizens were registered to vote in local elections in England, Scotland, and Wales, around 5% of local government electors.
The EU Settlement Scheme and Rights
More than 6 million EU nationals have now secured status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS).
However, Migration Observatory’s survey data shows that many remain unclear about their rights, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds.
This lack of understanding can have serious consequences, including difficulties accessing healthcare or maintaining lawful immigration status.
Migration and Naturalisation Trends
Since the 2021 Census, the overall EU population in the UK appears to have declined. Net migration of EU nationals has been negative, averaging –85,000 per year between mid-2021 and mid-2024.
Researchers suggest a range of possible causes, including currency fluctuations after the EU referendum, improving economic prospects in southern Europe, and changing perceptions of the UK as a welcoming destination post-Brexit.
In contrast, naturalisation rates have surged with more than 60,000 EU citizens becoming British in 2024, triple the number seen in 2016. Around 40% of EUSS holders say they plan to apply for citizenship in future.
Employment and Labour Market
EU nationals continue to have high employment rates (around 82% in late 2024).
However, ethnic minority EU citizens face higher unemployment (7%) compared to their white counterparts (4%).
The largest sectors employing EU citizens include administrative and support services, retail, manufacturing, and hospitality. Median annual earnings among EU-origin employees reached £31,100 in 2024 which is slightly above the national average.
Despite this, EU citizens now make up only a small share of new work visa holders (7% of the total in 2024).
Education and Student Numbers
The number of EU students enrolling at UK universities has fallen sharply since Brexit, with 22,000 undergraduate applications in 2024 which is a decrease of 58% from 2020.
EU students now account for under 7% of new international enrolments, compared to around 25% before Brexit. Around 100,000 EU citizens are currently studying in UK universities.
Explore the Full Research
For more detailed data and analysis, read the Migration Observatory reports commissioned by the EU Delegation to the UK:
- EU citizens living in the UK: an overview
- Characteristics of EU citizens living in the UK
- EU citizens in the UK labour market
- EU student migration in the UK after Brexit
- EU work migration under the points-based immigration system
- Voting rights of EU citizens living in the UK
- Where do EU nationals live in the UK
Visit our Research Hub to explore more studies and insights into migration and mobility across the UK and Europe.
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