With rising rents, a challenging job market, and stretched paychecks, many young Britons are opting to build their futures overseas. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 195,000 people under the age of 35 moved abroad in the year to June. This trend raises questions about their destinations, motivations, and whether they plan to return home.
The Appeal of Tokyo and Beyond
Ray Amjad, a 25-year-old University of Cambridge graduate from Manchester, exemplifies this trend. After traveling to 20 different countries while working remotely in web design, Ray decided that the UK was no longer the right fit for him. He moved to Tokyo last year under a two-year visa for top graduates and is considering applying for permanent residency.
“In my experience, the UK is losing too many talented young people,” he 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 also relocated to places like Australia, South Korea, and Hong Kong, driven by the high cost of living in the UK and limited job opportunities. He notes that Tokyo feels safer and more affordable compared to London.
Dubai’s Dreamers
Isobel Perl, who started a skincare brand from her parents’ house in Watford, is another young Briton planning to move abroad. At 30, she is set to relocate to Dubai in the new year to expand her business into the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“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,” she explains.
Isobel received one of the 10,000 golden visas for content creators, granting her 10 years of residency. She plans to maintain manufacturing in the UK while managing operations from Dubai, aiming to eventually import her products into the UAE.
Despite the challenges of rebranding due to a trademark dispute, Isobel remains optimistic about her new start. “I really need a new start. I’m going into the new year with hopeful energy,” she says.
Economic Narratives and Opportunities Abroad
The ONS reports that three-quarters of British nationals who emigrated in the year ending June 2025 were under 35. Changes in migration estimation methods make historical comparisons difficult, but the trend is clear: young people are seeking opportunities elsewhere.
David Little, a financial planning partner at UK wealth manager Evelyn Partners, attributes this to the “increasingly negative economic narrative in the UK,” characterized by high unemployment, rising debt, and fewer graduate vacancies. He highlights Dubai’s appeal as a career hub with tax-free salaries and a thriving job market.
“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 says.
The Entrepreneurial Exodus
Sol Hyde, a 25-year-old from Colchester, left his corporate job last October after it made him miserable. He now runs a successful marketing consulting firm, spending much of his time in Bali and considering a move to Cape Town, South Africa.
“I wake up to the sun and jump on my motorbike to my run club,” he says. “I co-work with friends all day and then we go out in the evening.”
Sol criticizes the UK’s “tall poppy syndrome,” where success is met with resentment. He believes the tax system would have hindered his business growth. Despite the distance, he feels closer to his family due to more frequent communication.
While Sol appreciates the opportunities abroad, he hasn’t ruled out returning to the UK when he’s in a better financial position.
Meanwhile, a Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson emphasized the government’s efforts to support economic growth and job creation, highlighting the 87% employment rate among graduates.
“Every young person deserves a fair chance to succeed and when given the right support and opportunities, they will grasp them,” they said.
As young Britons continue to seek opportunities abroad, the question remains whether the UK can reverse this trend and retain its talent. The future will reveal if these expatriates will return home or continue to build their lives overseas.
