The United Kingdom is one of the world’s top immigration destinations. Annual net migration to the U.K. reached a record high of 504,000 in 2022. The majority of the increase was from non-European nations. The foreign-born population of the U.K. increased from 5.3 million in 2004 to over 9.5 million in 2021. An estimated 200,000 Americans currently live in the U.K. and this number is growing each year.
Why are people moving to England? The country offers a rich history and culture, excellent healthcare, world-class educational opportunities, good employment prospects, natural beauty, and, of course, many pubs and delectable food.
This post will introduce some of the many reasons to include England on your list of potential moving destinations. If you’re thinking of moving abroad out of country, or would like to know why so many people are choosing to move to the U.K., this post may interest you.
Why Are People Moving to England?
Plentiful Employment Opportunities
England has many job opportunities in various fields. Major industries in the country include accounting, banking and finance, engineering, construction, education, and healthcare. The country’s overall unemployment rate remains steady at 3.7 percent, compared to 8.4 percent in some other European countries. Business, insurance, and banking are the primary industries. Other essential fields are metals, chemicals, aerospace, shipbuilding, motor vehicles, and electronic equipment. For new college graduates, some of the popular jobs are business analyst, finance analyst, marketer, software developer, and teacher.
Unlike some other European countries, the U.K. has substantial employment opportunities for unskilled workers, particularly in major cities like London, Edinburgh, and Manchester. While wages may be relatively low, affordable accommodations like house sharing are readily available so that workers don’t have to be overly concerned about making ends meet.
Full-time employees are legally entitled to 28 paid days off per year, as well as nine unpaid bank holidays. Businesses customarily close between Christmas and New Year.
If you’re from the U.S. or another English-speaking country, you won’t have any language difficulties at work (once you master the accent and British mannerisms).
It’s Multicultural
As mentioned, the U.K. has a large and growing immigrant population. The country accepts foreigners and welcomes diversity. About 300 languages are spoken in London. Modern England is very proud of its multiculturalism and to be a home to people from all over the world. In 2022, the U.K. offered accommodations and employment to 95,000 Ukrainians fleeing the war with Russia.
Excellent Healthcare
Both native residents and expats in England have access to modern and quality healthcare through the National Health Service at nominal or zero cost. The NHS provides primary care, in-patient care, preventative medicine, ophthalmology, and dental care. The NHS provides a high level of care – the 2021 World Index of Health Innovation ranked the U.K. 10th in the world in healthcare quality. Prescriptions are subsidized so they are lower cost than in many other countries. Health services are provided based on need and not on ability to pay. Private health insurance is also available, but very few people use it, and then mostly as a supplement to NHS services.
Great Education
Education is highly valued in England, and there are hundreds of schools and colleges. If you’re looking to further your education, or you have kids, you’ll find many choices. The U.K. has some of the best schools and universities in the world, including Oxford and Cambridge, that offer a variety of courses for international students. The British education system is known for having among the highest standards in the world. A 2019 study by US News & World Report named the U.K. the best country for education.
Safety
The U.K. is a relatively safe country: it ranks number 33 on the list of safest countries. Although violent crimes like muggings and kidnapping do happen, the most common street crime is pickpocketing, particularly in areas with many tourists. Like any country, some regions are safer than others. London’s murder rate in 2017 was 1.2 per 100,000 people, one-third that of New York City.
Culture and Entertainment
Residents of the U.K. enjoy some of the world’s best arts, culture, and sporting events. There are world-famous historic sites that commemorate Britain’s long history, including the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Stonehenge, and Bletchley Park.
England also has some of the world’s most famous live performance venues like the Royal National Theatre, the Royal Opera House, Shakespeare’s Globe, and London’s West End district. Sports fans can look forward to the men’s Rugby World Cup, women’s football (soccer) World Cup, and golf’s Ryder Cup.
For family entertainment, there are amusement parks like Alton Towers Resort in Staffordshire, Blackpool Pleasure Beach that features 10 roller coasters, and Drayton Manor, a 180-acre theme park and zoo that attracts 1.5 million visitors yearly.
There are many festivals held all around the country, like the three-week Edinburgh Festival in August, the Brighton Festival in May celebrating the arts, and the Glastonbury Music Festival, one of the largest and most popular festivals in the world that features contemporary music, theater, and live performances.
Pubs and Food
While England in times past has not been known for great food, things have improved dramatically. Today, large cities like London and Edinburgh are home to world-class restaurants. The Clove Club and Ikoyi in London were named among the world’s 50 best restaurants. Britain is known for its many pubs, and many consider its pub scene to be the best in the world, with assorted foods, televised sporting events, socializing, and many ales on tap.
Natural Scenery
England is a very picturesque country, and you’ll find plenty of spectacular scenery. From dramatic Cheddar Gorge in Somerset, plunging 450 feet to the bottom, to Scafell Pike in Cumbria, England’s highest peak at 3208 feet above the terrain, and from the crystal clear waters of Fairy Pools in the Isle of Skye to the verdant hills beside Kilchurn Castle in Loch Awe, England offers many places to feast your eyes and keep your camera busy. And because England is a small country, and there is affordable and efficient public transportation, all of these vistas are within easy reach.
Friendly People
We mentioned Britain is very accepting of people from other lands. The British are known for their kindness and hospitality, as well as a dry and distinct sense of humor with a touch of sarcasm. In most cities, there are also communities of people from around the world, so immigrants can quickly feel at home.
With its high quality of life, welcoming population, and good employment prospects, it’s no wonder so many people are choosing to make England their home. If you’re thinking of relocating to the U.K. or anywhere else, give All Around Moving a call. We’ll take care of all of your moving needs.
We hope you found this post, Why Are People Moving to England? useful. Be sure to check out our post, Reasons Why You Should Consider Moving to England for more great information.
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