EU migrants contribute £20bn to UK economy, study finds
University College London study finds that European migrants pay out more in taxes than they receive in benefits
![UK border control](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tNSZVvygoYZLTWi76UZbVC-415-80.jpg)
Contrary to the popular view that European immigrants are a burden to UK taxpayers, a new study by University College London has found that people arriving from the EU contributed £20 billion to the British economy between 2000 and 2011.
The study also found that immigrants from the so-called new Europe – the 10 countries that joined the EU in 2004 including Poland, Romania and Turkey – added £4.96 billion more to the public purse in taxation between 2004 and 2011 than they took out in benefits.
The study, the Fiscal Impact of Immigration to the UK, also found that immigrants arriving from continental Europe are better educated than the UK population at large; 60 per cent of arrivals from southern and western Europe and 25 per cent of those arriving from eastern Europe have university degrees. This compares with 24 per cent of the UK-born workforce.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Professor Christian Dustmann, co-author of the study, said: "A key concern in the public debate on migration is whether immigrants contribute their fair share to the tax and welfare systems. Our new analysis draws a positive picture of the overall fiscal contribution made by recent immigrant cohorts, particularly of immigrants arriving from the EU."
Dustmann added: "European immigrants, particularly, both from the new accession countries and the rest of the European Union, make the most substantial contributions. This is mainly down to their higher average labour market participation compared with natives and their lower receipt of welfare benefits."
The report also found that migrants from outside the EU cost the public purse nearly £120bn between 1995 and 2011, the Daily Telegraph reports. Over the same period, "native Britons made a negative contribution of £591 billion over the 17 years – because of the country’s massive deficit," the paper says.
Overall the report shows that "European migrants to the UK are not a drain on Britain’s finances and pay out far more in taxes than they receive in state benefits,"The Guardian says.
However, critics accused the study of being "shallow," arguing that it does not take into account the long-term costs of migration.
Sir Andrew Green, chairman of research association Migration Watch, told the BBC: "If you take all EU migration including those who arrived before 2001 what you find is this: by the end of the period they are making a negative contribution and increasingly so."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The lab-made meat that 'could kill the EU'
Under The Radar Concerned at 'unintended consequences for farming' some farmers are 'turning rabid' over the rise of cultured meat
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Magazine solutions - August 2, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - August 2, 2024
By The Week Staff Published
-
Magazine printables - August 2, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - August 2, 2024
By The Week Staff Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The Tamils stranded on 'secretive' British island in Indian Ocean
Under the Radar Migrants 'unlawfully detained' since 2021 shipwreck on UK-controlled Diego Garcia, site of important US military base
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Britain's Labour Party wins in a landslide
Speed Read The Conservatives were unseated after 14 years of rule
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Will voter apathy and low turnout blight the election?
Today's Big Question Belief that result is 'foregone conclusion', or that politicians can't be trusted, could exacerbate long-term turnout decline
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published