Facing mounting rental costs, a challenging job market, and strained finances, a growing number of young Britons are charting a course for their futures abroad. Official statistics reveal a significant trend: in the year leading up to June, an estimated 195,000 individuals under the age of 35 made the move to international destinations. This raises compelling questions: where are these young individuals relocating, what are they pursuing in their new homes, and is there a possibility they will ever return to the United Kingdom?
Seeking New Horizons: The Appeal of Overseas Opportunities
The decision to emigrate is often driven by a confluence of economic pressures and the pursuit of greater personal and professional fulfillment. For many, the United Kingdom's current economic climate, characterized by high living expenses and a competitive job landscape, presents a formidable hurdle to establishing a secure future.
"It Feels Much Safer in Tokyo"
Ray Amjad, a 25-year-old from Manchester, found his perspective shifted dramatically after graduating from the University of Cambridge. While the allure of staying in the historic university city was present, his world view expanded through extensive travel. Working remotely in web design, he explored 20 different countries, a period that ultimately led him to question his desire to return to the UK.
Last year, Ray relocated to Tokyo under a two-year visa designed for highly skilled graduates, with aspirations of securing permanent residency. He observes a concerning trend: "In my experience, the UK is losing too many talented young people," he states. "Japan is getting a good deal, really – we're moving out here, fully formed, and they haven't had to pay for our education or healthcare, growing up."
Ray's contemporaries have also ventured abroad, with friends from his university days settling in places like Australia, South Korea, and Hong Kong. Common reasons cited for their departures include the high cost of living in the UK and a perceived lack of suitable employment opportunities.
"Here in Tokyo, it used to be much older people who moved out here to work, but that has changed recently," Ray notes. "It feels much safer here. I can walk around and not worry about my phone being stolen. I can leave my laptop in a cafe for a while and it's still going to be there. And the flat I'm renting would be three times the price in London."
"People Dream Big in Dubai"
Isobel Perl, now 30, established her own skincare brand from her parents' home in Watford five years ago. With ambitions to expand her business into the United Arab Emirates (UAE), she is set to move to Dubai in the new year.
"My sister moved to Dubai a few years ago and my parents have decided to move too, so it just makes sense," she explains. "Sun all year round is a huge reason for me. It's an expensive place to live but I won't have to pay income tax."
Isobel was among the initial recipients of one of the 10,000 golden visas allocated to content creators, a program that grants ten years of residency. She believes that Dubai attracts individuals with significant ambitions: "Most people moving to Dubai have big ambitions and dreams. That energy is so important to be around. There is a thriving business community and it's a very inspiring place to be."
While Isobel plans to continue manufacturing her skincare products in the UK, her operations will be managed from Dubai. She harbors hopes of importing her products and establishing a sales presence in the UAE in the future. A recent challenge has arisen with a trademark objection from another company, necessitating a rebrand from PERL Cosmetics to Isobel Perl in January. This has left her with a substantial inventory valued at £500,000 to clear before the year's end. "I have had to reduce the prices and it's a huge financial blow," she admits. "I really need a new start. I'm going into the new year with hopeful energy." She acknowledges she will miss her friends, her horse, and the familiar countryside walks, but adds, "But I'm only a seven-hour flight away."
A "Business-Friendly Environment" Fuels Emigration
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), a significant three-quarters of British nationals who emigrated in the year ending June 2025 were under the age of 35. It's important to note that the ONS has recently revised its methodology for estimating British migration, making direct comparisons with previous years challenging. A spokesperson for the ONS commented that the data aligns with general patterns, as younger individuals typically constitute the majority of migrants.
David Little, a financial planning partner at UK wealth manager Evelyn Partners, attributes the surge in young people seeking opportunities abroad to what he describes as an "increasingly negative economic narrative in the UK." This narrative includes concerns about high unemployment, rising debt and tax burdens, and a scarcity of graduate job openings.
He highlights Dubai's transformation into a global career nexus, drawing thousands of British professionals with its allure of tax-free salaries, low crime rates, and a rapidly expanding job market. "Destinations like the UAE offer tax-free living, a 'can-do' attitude, and a business-friendly environment that feels far more optimistic and rewarding," Little states. He also observes a shift in familial support: "Interestingly, instead of the traditional 'Bank of Mum and Dad' helping with a first home deposit, families are now supporting children with the costs of emigration and settling abroad."
"My Corporate Job Was Making Me Miserable"
Sol Hyde, originally from Colchester, seized the opportunity to relocate as soon as his online business began generating revenue. "The same is true for almost every UK entrepreneur I know," he asserts. The 25-year-old made the decision to leave his corporate role last October, realizing it was a source of significant unhappiness.
"I was waking up to darkness and cold. It was quite a lonely existence because all my friends were working so hard," he recalls. "I had no idea what to do but I just knew I needed to get out."
In January, Sol launched his marketing consulting firm, which focuses on helping businesses enhance their social media presence. He has spent the majority of the current year in Bali but is contemplating a move to Cape Town, South Africa. "I wake up to the sun and jump on my motorbike to my run club," he describes. "I meet 30 other young people building businesses and we get a coffee together. I co-work with friends all day and then we go out in the evening."
The most challenging aspect, he admits, has been the separation from his friends and family. "But when I had a corporate job, I didn't see them because I was working so hard. Now I am closer to them because we actually speak more." Sol believes the UK is hampered by "tall poppy syndrome," a cultural tendency to resent successful individuals, and an overall negative atmosphere. "Success is met with criticism, rumour-spreading and general hate," he observes.
Currently employing six individuals, Sol is in the process of hiring four more. He feels that the UK's tax system would have hindered his business's growth and his capacity for risk-taking. "This is a medium-term solution for me," he states. "I love the UK and I'm not ruling out coming back when I'm in a better financial position, but right now I'm so glad I left."
A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions emphasized the government's commitment to economic growth and job creation. They highlighted measures such as maintaining the corporation tax at 25%, supporting high streets with reduced tax rates, and facilitating investment for start-ups in the UK. "Every young person deserves a fair chance to succeed and when given the right support and opportunities, they will grasp them," the spokesperson commented. "This government is supporting entrepreneurs to thrive – they are a key theme of our small business strategy to drive economic growth across the country – and with an 87% employment rate, graduates remain more likely to be in work than those without a degree."
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