United Kingdom
The share of young adults with tertiary attainment has increased considerably in the United Kingdom in recent decades. In 2021, 57% of 25-34 year-olds had a tertiary degree compared to only 29% in 2000. On average across the OECD, the share of young adults with a tertiary degree increased from 27% to 48% in the same period.
In 2019, the United Kingdom received 346 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status and free mobility), 0.8% more than in 2018. This figure comprises 41.6% immigrants benefitting from free mobility, 14.9% labour migrants, 31.7% family members (including accompanying family) and 5.1% humanitarian migrants. Around 375 000 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 89 000 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants (excluding intra-EU migration). In addition, 133 000 intra-EU postings were recorded in 2019, an increase of 120% compared to 2018. These posted workers are generally on short-term contracts.
Similarly to other OECD countries, there is a gap in the learning outcomes of children according to socio-economic status in the United Kingdom. In 2018, the share of socio‑economically disadvantaged children achieving at least PISA level 2 in reading was 19% lower than that of the most advantaged children in the United Kingdom. This was a smaller gap than the OECD average (29%).
In 2018, the United Kingdom received 343 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status and free mobility), 0.2% more than in 2017. This figure comprises 46.5% immigrants benefitting from free mobility, 10.7% labour migrants, 25.9% family members (including accompanying family) and 7.4% humanitarian migrants. Around 331 000 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 91 000 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants (excluding intra-EU migration). In addition, 61 000 intra-EU postings were recorded in 2018, an increase of 2.1% compared to 2017. These posted workers are generally on short-term contracts.
Leading up to September 2017, net migration to the United Kingdom fell, as immigration decreased and emigration increased. In the year ending September 2017 net migration was +244 000, down 29 000 compared with the previous year. The decline was driven by a fall in net migration from EU nationals, down 75 000 to +90,000. However the number of EU nationals coming to the UK remains higher than the number leaving. Over the same period, there was an increase in net migration from non-EU nationals (up 40 000 to +205 000) and British nationals (up 4 000 to -52 000). Net migration has shown a general downward trend since early 2016.
The United Kingdom contributes to the mobilisation of domestic resources in developing countries by supporting their tax systems. In 2013, it is estimated that the United Kingdom committed USD 5.5 million of its official development assistance (ODA) to tax-related activities in partner countries.
In 2012, the United Kingdom’s net ODA amounted to USD 13.66 billion, a 2.2% drop in real terms from the 2011 level. This followed the 1% decrease recorded in 2011. Firm budget allocations were put into place, however, to ensure that the ODA to GNI ratio reached 0.56% in 2012 and 0.7% from 2013 onwards.
According to ONS estimates, total inflows to the United Kingdom in 2011 were 566 000, a 4% decrease from 2010. Outflows increased by 4% to 351 000, yielding total net migration of 215 000, 15% less than the record figure in 2010. Net outflow of 70 000 UK citizens, 63% more than in 2010, was counterbalanced by net inflow of 286 000 non-UK nationals, slightly lower than in 2010. Provisional figures through June 2012 suggest a further decline in net migration due to lower inflows, especially for non-EU students.
In 2004, US net ODA volume increased by 18.3% in real terms to USD 19.7 billion. Most of the increase was due to a USD 1.8 billion contribution to IDA. Aid to Afghanistan and Iraq also rose substantially. Although the US continues to be the largest DAC donor, and has increased its ODA by 87% in real terms since 2000, it has the second lowest ODA/GNI ratio in 2004 at 0.17%.
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