Expats in the UK

[Guest The Pom Queen]

This year, the Expat Explorer report reveals the UK to be a popular destination for the millennials, those aged between 18 – 34 years old, who are finding opportunities within London’s thriving financial district and technological centre, Tech City. The findings show that financial services (10%) and technology (10%) are the two most popular career choices for this age group. With data from the Office of National Statistics²¹ reporting 1.2m jobs in the UK are within the financial services profession and 1.3m jobs in IT, this would be the equivalent of 120,000 and 130,000 of these roles, respectively, being filled by expats. Due to the growing demand for software developers, coders and designers in London’s Tech City, it appears that European and global talent with technology skills are increasingly attracted to work for the capital’s growing tech cluster.

In terms of overall Expat Economics, the country ranks 32nd out of 37 countries, ahead of its European neighbours, France (33rd) and Spain (34th). Expats in Britain have a muted outlook on the economy with nearly half (48%) citing the state of the UK economy as a top concern. Compared to the global average of 40%, six in ten expats in the UK say they are feeling the heat of the economy and are dissatisfied with its current state. However, UK-based expats are adopting a classic British ‘keep calm and carry on’ attitude, with only 7% actively looking to leave the country – the lowest out of all European countries.

Looking at the Expat Experience tables, the UK ranks 27th out of 37 countries, with healthcare, education and lifestyle benefits outweighing those in places like Italy and Qatar (which ranked 28th and 29th respectively). It appears that expats in Britain are among the most willing to immerse themselves in local life, perhaps a legacy of the many cultural events which took place in the country last year. Four out of five (85%) are happy to experience local culture, and more than half highlight this as a key factor when deciding where they and their families should live. Furthermore, expats in the UK are among those likely to mingle and make friends locally, rather than sticking with the expat crowd. More than two in five (43%) expats say that they prefer the company of local friends over expat friends when going out, contrary to the feedback from expats in other parts of the world (31%).

Many expats note an improvement in the facilities which are available to their children on moving to the UK, leading to the country securing 19th place in the league tables for Raising Children Abroad, performing particularly well for education (11th out of 24 countries). Nearly a quarter (24%) of expats say they spend less on education costs since relocating compared with the global average of 16%.

However, when it comes to overall expat satisfaction, only one in ten feel that the UK is getting better as a place for expats to live and work (13% compared to a global average of 32%); nearly half say that it is getting worse (45% compared to global average of 30%).

"Housing is much more expensive than planned and most rents do not include local taxes or utilities – it’s a good to bear this in mind when signing contracts." – Expat in the United Kingdom

[jen85]

Good to hear the Financial services sector is recovering in London, can't wait to get back there!

[Guest Ptp113]

Good to hear the Financial services sector is recovering in London, can't wait to get back there!

You should be in Sydney if you like London IMO

[Intagalaktika]

You should be in Sydney if you like London IMO

 

Or London?!

[Guest Ptp113]

Or London?!

 

No thanks!