With rising rents, a challenging job market, and stretched paychecks, a growing number of young Britons are opting to build their futures overseas. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 195,000 individuals under the age of 35 moved abroad in the year leading up to June. This trend raises questions about where they are heading, what they are doing, and whether they will ever return home.
Seeking Safety and Opportunity Abroad
Ray Amjad, a University of Cambridge graduate, is among those who have chosen to leave the UK. After traveling to 20 different countries while working remotely in web design, the 25-year-old from Manchester decided to settle in Tokyo. He moved there last year under a two-year visa for top graduates and hopes to apply for permanent residency.
“In my experience, the UK is losing too many talented young people,” Ray says. “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 friends have relocated to Australia, South Korea, and Hong Kong, with many citing the high cost of living in the UK and limited job opportunities as deciding factors. “It feels much safer here,” Ray explains. “I can walk around without worrying about my phone being stolen. And the flat I’m renting would be three times the price in London.”
Entrepreneurial Dreams in Dubai
Isobel Perl, who started her skincare brand from her parents’ house in Watford, is another young Briton planning to move abroad. Now 30, she has decided to relocate to Dubai in the new year to expand her business into the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Her sister and parents have already made the move, making it a logical step for her.
“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 says.
Isobel was one of the first recipients of a golden visa for content creators, allowing her 10 years of residency. “Most people moving to Dubai have big ambitions and dreams,” she notes. “That energy is so important to be around. There is a thriving business community and it’s a very inspiring place to be.”
Despite the challenges, including a trademark dispute forcing her to rebrand and clear £500,000-worth of stock, Isobel remains optimistic. “I really need a new start. I’m going into the new year with hopeful energy,” she says.
Economic Realities and Global Opportunities
Three-quarters of British nationals who emigrated in the year ending June 2025 were under the age of 35, according to the ONS. However, due to changes in how British migration is estimated, it is difficult to compare these figures with previous years. An ONS spokesperson noted that the data aligns with the trend of young people being the most mobile.
David Little, a financial planning partner at UK wealth manager Evelyn Partners, attributes this exodus to the “increasingly negative economic narrative in the UK,” characterized by high unemployment, rising debt, and tax burdens. “Destinations like the UAE offer tax-free living, a ‘can-do’ attitude, and a business-friendly environment that feels far more optimistic and rewarding,” he explains.
“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,” Little adds.
Entrepreneurs Seeking New Horizons
Sol Hyde from Colchester represents another facet of this trend. After his online business began generating income, he left his corporate job, which he found unfulfilling. “I was waking up to darkness and cold. It was quite a lonely existence because all my friends were working so hard,” he recalls.
Sol now runs a marketing consulting firm and has spent most of the year in Bali, though he may eventually settle in Cape Town, South Africa. “I wake up to the sun and jump on my motorbike to my run club,” he says, describing a lifestyle filled with community and collaboration.
“The UK suffers from ‘tall poppy syndrome’ – where successful people are resented – and a negative culture,” Sol asserts.
Despite the challenges of leaving friends and family behind, Sol feels more connected to them now than during his corporate life. “This is a medium-term solution for me,” he says. “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 Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and fostering economic growth. “Every young person deserves a fair chance to succeed, and when given the right support and opportunities, they will grasp them,” they stated.
As young Britons continue to seek opportunities abroad, the UK faces the challenge of creating an environment that retains its talent and offers a competitive edge in the global marketplace.
