The pie charts illustrate the primary reasons for immigration to and emigration from the UK in 2007.
Overall, employment was the most significant factor driving both immigration and emigration, with a definite job being the most common motivation in each case. However, formal study played a much greater role in immigration than in emigration, whereas looking for work and leaving for unspecified reasons were more common among emigrants.
In terms of immigration, the leading reason for people entering the UK was having a definite job offer, accounting for 30% of the total. This was followed by formal study, which contributed 26% of all immigration cases. Other notable reasons included joining or accompanying someone (15%) and seeking employment (12%). A smaller proportion of immigrants came for unspecified reasons (6%) or other purposes (11%).
Regarding emigration, the largest share of people (29%) left the UK due to a definite job, mirroring the top reason for immigration. However, the second most common reason was looking for work, at 22%, which was nearly double the proportion seen in immigration. Emigration due to no stated reason was also relatively high at 18%. Joining or accompanying someone accounted for 13%, while 14% left for other reasons. Only 4% emigrated for formal study, in stark contrast to the 26% who came to the UK for the same reason.