Mon, 29 Dec 2025

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 Why are young people leaving to work abroad?

Three young Britons explain why they are building their futures overseas.
195,000 people under 35 left the UK last year due to rising rents, a tough job market, and stretched finances. Young Britons are choosing to build their futures abroad, with 3/4 of British nationals who emigrated last year being under 35. Many cite the high cost of living in the UK and lack of employment opportunities as factors. Ray Amjad, 25, moved from Manchester to Tokyo under a two-year visa for top graduates. He claims that Japan is getting a good deal by attracting talented young people who haven't had to pay for their education or healthcare. Isobel Perl, founder of skincare brand PERL Cosmetics, will move to Dubai in the new year. She says she's drawn by the sunshine and business opportunities, as well as tax-free living. An ONS spokesperson said that the data on migration isn't surprising, given that most migrants tend to be young. David Little, financial planning partner at UK wealth manager Evelyn Partners, believes that young people are choosing to work abroad due to the "increasingly negative economic narrative in the UK". Dubai has become a global career hub, attracting thousands of British workers with tax-free salaries and low crime rates. Instead of supporting children with first home deposits, families are now helping them with emigration costs. Sol Hyde, 25, quit his corporate job to start his own marketing consulting firm in Bali. He plans to move to Cape Town, South Africa, but says the hardest part is leaving behind friends and family. The UK's "tall poppy syndrome" and negative culture are driving young people abroad, according to Sol. The tax system in the UK would have inhibited his growth and ability to take risks, he claims. A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said that the government is supporting entrepreneurs with a small business strategy to drive economic growth. They also pointed out that graduates remain more likely to be in work than those without a degree.
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