Bright lights of the capital bringing people to the UK

An analysis of data from Labour Force Surveys has shown that London continues to be the destination of choice for immigrants moving to the UK. London has the greatest number of migrants among all regions with comparable data. Almost 2.6 million people born outside of the UK choose to make the city their home. Top sender countries are those with historical and contemporary links to the UK: 10% of those in London, who were born outside the UK, were born in India, while significant numbers came from other commonwealth nations, including Jamaica, Bangladesh and South Africa. In 2011 Poland and Germany, both EU member states, also made it into the top 10 countries with migrants born in London.

It is not unusual for immigrants to be drawn to large cities. A 2004 analysis of Immigrants in Canada’s Census Metropolitan areas (CMA) concluded that immigrants settle disproportionately in large metropolitan areas. 94% of immigrants who arrived in Canada between 1991 and 2001 resided in a CMA. The analysis also underlined the influence of historic and cultural links on migration patterns. Other Commonwealth nations, such as India and Hong Kong found their way into the top five source countries for most of the five largest CMAs. Montreal, in Francophone Quebec, had a different demographic. It saw more people arriving from Haiti, Algeria, France and Lebanon, countries with historical links to France and its empire.

It is easy to see why foreign nationals are attracted to London, and why it is favoured over other UK metropolitan areas. London is still the political, economic and cultural capital of the UK. The City is a global financial centre and remains a very attractive destination for investors. There are world famous galleries, schools, museums and universities. A large part of the draw must also be the international atmosphere that has developed. Statistics suggest that 42% of those in inner London and 32% of those in outer London were born abroad. The resulting cultural mix gives outsiders access to a diverse range of experiences and means that most migrants can also find a corner of the capital that does not feel too far from home.