Record numbers of young people are leaving the UK, with rising living costs and limited financial prospects leading to a sharp rise in youth immigration, a new report shows.According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 130,000 to 140,000 Britons aged 20 to 29 immigrated in the year to June 2025, well above the pre-pandemic level of around 92,000 to 95,000 in 2018.The trend marks a major generational shift, with young people now choosing to emigrate earlier than previous generations.
“The Great Generation Z Exodus” Report Flag Shifts
These findings are supported by TEFL Academy’s The Great Gen Z Exodus report, which highlights that Brits no longer wait until their 30s to move.Instead, many choose to leave in their 20s due to changing career priorities and global opportunities.
Cost of living drives decisions
Economic pressure has become the biggest trigger behind waves of immigration.
- More than 86% of respondents said UK wages did not match the cost of living
- Nearly 79% of respondents reported continued financial pressure
Reports indicate that for many young people, moving abroad is increasingly seen as a way to improve their quality of life.
Most people plan or consider relocating
The survey results underscore the scale of this trend:
- 33% have emigrated abroad
- 26% are actively planning to leave
- 30% are seriously considering relocation
- Only 11% have no immigration plans
Overall, nearly three-quarters of people currently leaving the UK are under the age of 35.
Changing the definition of success
Rhyan O’Sullivan, managing director of TEFL Academy, said young Britons were “not fleeing the UK but running towards opportunity”.For many graduates, teaching English abroad has become a practical way to gain international exposure, increase income and build a global career.The report, based on a March 2026 survey of young people and labor market and immigration data, highlights Gen Z’s broader reflections on stability and success.Once seen as optional, international mobility is now seen as key to financial security and career advancement, signaling a shift in how younger generations work and live.
