Record Numbers Leave Britain
Record numbers of people are migrating from the UK, according to a report from The Office for National Statistics (ONS). Long-term migration from the UK reached 385,000 in the year to July 2006, the highest figure since 1991. Nearly 200,000 of the migrants were British citizens.
The largest numbers (71,000) are going to Australia, where there is a skills shortage. Many migrants are in their 30s, who have already spent time travelling, or in their early 40s, who want a better life for their families.
Within the UK an exodus of Londoners from the city - at a rate of 20,000 a month - has been blamed on rising house prices in the capital.
Top Ten Emigration Countries For UK Citizens
mid 2005 to mid 2006
| Destination Country |
Number Emigrated |
| Australia | 71,000 |
| Spain | 58,000 |
| France | 42,000 |
| New Zealand | 30,000 |
| USA | 25,000 |
| Canada | 17,000 |
| Netherlands | 8,000 |
| UAE | 7,000 |
| Germany | 6,000 |
| South Africa | 6,000 |
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