Indian and Nigerian nationals have emerged as the top contributors to job market growth between 2019 and 2023, surpassing British workers in numbers.
This development is highlighted in recent data released by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), reflecting significant changes in the country’s workforce composition following Brexit.
According to the data, Indian nationals experienced the most substantial employment growth, with an increase of 487,900 positions.
Nigerian workers followed closely, adding 278,700 jobs during the same period. In contrast, employment among UK nationals saw a more modest rise of 257,000 jobs.
This surge in employment for Indian and Nigerian nationals coincides with a marked decline in job numbers for European Union (EU) nationals, who saw a decrease of 241,600 positions.
This shift underscores the broader impact of the UK’s post-Brexit migration policies, which have reshaped the labor market by tightening immigration rules and altering the composition of the workforce.
The UK’s National Health Service (NHS), which remains the largest employer in the country, reflects this trend.
Data from a recent report, obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, ranks Nigeria among the top five countries with the highest number of NHS employees.
Approximately 10,494 Nigerians are currently employed by the NHS, placing them just behind Poland, which has 10,520 health workers.
The shift in employment patterns highlights the effectiveness of the new migration system introduced in January 2021.
Tory MP Neil O’Brien, who requested the data, commented on the “extraordinary changes” observed in the workforce.
He noted that the figures illustrate the significant impact of post-Brexit immigration reforms on the UK job market.
The broader employment statistics reveal that, overall, 1.481 million new jobs were created during this period, with 1.465 million of these filled by non-EU nationals.
This reflects a substantial shift away from reliance on EU labor, aligning with the UK government’s efforts to diversify its workforce sources and adapt to the new migration landscape.
The rise in employment for Indian and Nigerian nationals signifies a dynamic transformation within the UK’s labor market, with these groups now playing a pivotal role in driving job market growth.
As the country continues to navigate the post-Brexit era, these trends underscore the evolving nature of its workforce and the significant contributions of international labor.
The ongoing adjustments in immigration policies and workforce composition are expected to further influence employment patterns in the coming years, shaping the future landscape of the UK job market.