Londoners are the most likely residents in England to consider leaving the country, according to a new study highlighting regional variations in emigration intentions.
A YouGov survey of 2,178 adults, commissioned by financial planning firm Tideway Wealth, found that 13% of Londoners would like to move abroad — the highest proportion of any English region.
By contrast, 11% of residents in the Midlands and 10% in the south expressed intentions to emigrate, while the north of England saw the lowest figures, with just 9% considering leaving the UK.
James Baxter, founder of Tideway Wealth, suggested the results point to a potential erosion of London’s international appeal. “These figures indicate that even the capital is not immune to the wider challenges facing the UK,” he said, noting that factors such as cost of living, housing pressures, and work opportunities may be influencing decisions.
The survey underscores growing concerns about talent retention and investment in London, particularly as other regions and international markets compete for skilled residents.
“London is an expensive city, and with the pressures younger generations are currently facing – from salary stagnation and high taxes to the rising cost of living – it’s understandable that many young workers are considering alternatives.
“Other destinations that offer a lower cost of living, better weather and an improved quality of life may naturally feel more appealing.” he said.
The research also revealed 11% of UK residents plan to emigrate, with 4% of those aiming to leave within five years.
A staggering 61% of those leaving blamed Britain’s cost-of-living crisis, while half (50%) said the economy was a key motivator. Almost a third (32%) said they wanted to escape the current political climate.
More than a quarter (27%) said the UK weather was a factor, while just under a quarter (23%) wanted new cultural experiences.
Other influences were tax (12%), to be with family and friends (12%), and climate change (3%).
A fifth of Britons with a household income of more than £70,000 per year plan to move abroad, while 17% in the £40,000-£49,999 household income bracket said they were leaving.
Some 15% of those with £60,000-£69,000 said they would also join the exodus.
Almost one-in-10 (8%) of those with a combined income of £25,000-£39,999 were looking to emigrate, while just 7% of those bringing home less than £15,000 plan to leave.
Baxter said: “Student loans and lost child benefit may also be a factor for those in the South East. These come as a double whammy on top of vicious tax rates for earners over £100,000.
“For single income families with the main earner repaying post-graduate loans earning over £100,000 can mean negative net earnings the more you get paid.”
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