Exploring the population rise of Wales in 2022-23
New data from the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) has shown Wales experienced record levels of immigration between mid-2022 and mid-2023. Some 610,000 new migrants arrived in England and Wales during this period, the highest level of immigration since the end of World War II in 1947.
The ‘natural’ population growth i.e. the difference between births and deaths, declined by only 400, marketing the lowest figure since 1978. Net international migration reached 622,000, up from 548,500 in mid-2021 to mid-2022. Furthermore, a net 13,800 residents also opted to leave England or Wales to live in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Assessing economic output versus rising migration
In terms of economic output, this hasn’t risen in tandem with the rising population. Using provisional ONS figures, gross domestic product (GDP) per person in 2023 was likely to have been 0.7% lower year-on-year.
It’s a reflection of the evolving patterns of migration in Wales and the rest of the UK, suggesting that much of the net international migration has failed to move the dial in terms of the economy. There’s still a growing demand for skilled labour as part of the country’s post-pandemic recovery.
It remains a challenge to compete for and formally recruit skilled talent to Wales from overseas. This is due to the UK’s stringent visa requirements. Immigration processes for professionals seeking to move to Wales for work, particularly those moving from outside of the EU, must negotiate complex legal frameworks. Many of whom require the aid of UK immigration lawyers, like Reiss Edwards, to support immigration applications by liaising with the Home Office.
An immigration lawyer can streamline this entire process, from right at the outset of eligibility assessments through to obtaining the necessary UK Skilled Worker visa to facilitate a migrant’s relocation and employment. In Wales, which has an unsurprisingly smaller population than England, procuring top talent is vital to underpin the country’s economy, particularly in key sectors like technology, healthcare and education.
Across the border, England is facing its own challenges. The influx of migrants has led to increased demand for public and private housing and weighed more heavily on public services, especially in suburban and metropolitan areas. By contrast, population density is less of an issue in Wales, but it’s arguably tougher for business owners and entrepreneurs in Wales to find the right talent. When they do arise, these skilled professionals are often quickly snapped up, leading to an imbalance of regional opportunities.
The challenges of recruiting skilled migrants in Wales
Source: Unsplash
Although England and Wales share the issue of rising migration, the unique characteristics of Wales illustrate the need for bespoke immigration policies which address the needs of smaller regions. With a lower cost of living and close-knit communities, Wales can be an attractive location for skilled migrants, so long as the infrastructure is in place to help them live and integrate into the workforce.
Reducing net migration was one of the main reasons why the majority of Britons voted to leave the European Union (EU). The former Conservative government committed to reducing net immigration and it was a pledge by the new Labour government to focus on this too. While post-Brexit alterations to visas cut the number of work visas for EU nationals, the ONS has noted a surge of international visas for professionals from Pakistan, India and Nigeria, often to fill vacancies in the healthcare sector.
For more information read:
- Check out the ONS long-term international migration data for the year ending June 2023.
- Revisit the issues surrounding recruitment costs discussed by BDO last year.
