In the wake of Brexit, the UK job market has witnessed significant shifts in its workforce composition, with Indian and Nigerian nationals emerging as key contributors to employment growth. Recent data from His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) reveals that between 2019 and 2023, Indian and Nigerian workers have surpassed their British counterparts in job market growth, a development that underscores the profound impact of post-Brexit migration policies.
According to HMRC’s data, Indian nationals experienced the largest increase in employment during this period, with 487,900 new positions filled. Nigerian nationals followed closely behind, adding 278,700 jobs to the UK economy. In contrast, British workers saw a more modest increase of 257,000 jobs.
This rise in employment for Indian and Nigerian nationals coincides with a significant decline in job numbers for European Union (EU) nationals, who lost 241,600 positions over the same period. This shift highlights the broader impact of the UK’s new immigration 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), the country’s largest employer, reflects this evolving employment landscape. Data obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request shows that Nigeria ranks among the top five countries with the highest number of NHS employees. As of the latest figures, approximately 10,494 Nigerians are employed by the NHS, placing them just behind Poland, which has 10,520 health workers.
This increase in Nigerian workers within the NHS is indicative of the broader trend seen across the UK job market, where non-EU nationals are filling roles that were previously dominated by EU workers. The NHS, already reliant on international labor, has further diversified its workforce in response to the changing immigration landscape.
The surge in employment for Indian and Nigerian nationals can be attributed to the new migration system introduced in January 2021, which has played a significant role in reshaping the UK job market. Tory MP Neil O’Brien, who requested the HMRC data, described the changes as “extraordinary,” noting that the figures illustrate the profound impact of post-Brexit immigration reforms.
These reforms have shifted the UK’s labor market away from a reliance on EU nationals, aligning with the government’s goal of diversifying its workforce. The broader employment statistics reveal that between 2019 and 2023, a total of 1.481 million new jobs were created in the UK. Of these, 1.465 million were filled by non-EU nationals, further emphasizing the significant shift in the workforce composition.
The rise in employment for Indian and Nigerian nationals is a testament to the dynamic transformation within the UK’s labor market. These groups are now playing a pivotal role in driving job market growth, contributing to sectors that are essential to the UK economy.
In particular, Indian nationals have become integral to industries such as technology, healthcare, and finance, where their skills and expertise are in high demand. Nigerian nationals, on the other hand, have made significant contributions to sectors like healthcare, education, and professional services, further bolstering the UK’s economic resilience.
As the UK continues to navigate the complexities of the post-Brexit era, the contributions of Indian and Nigerian nationals to the job market cannot be overstated. These trends underscore the evolving nature of the UK workforce and the significant role that international labor plays in maintaining the country’s economic vitality.
The ongoing adjustments in immigration policies and workforce composition are expected to continue influencing employment patterns in the coming years. As the UK adapts to its new position outside the EU, the contributions of non-EU nationals will likely remain a crucial factor in shaping the future landscape of the UK job market.
The post-Brexit era has brought about substantial changes to the UK job market, with Indian and Nigerian nationals leading the way in job market growth. Their contributions reflect the broader impact of new immigration policies and the UK’s efforts to diversify its workforce.
As the country moves forward, these trends highlight the importance of international labor in sustaining the UK economy and underscore the need for continued adaptability in the face of changing global dynamics. The future of the UK job market will undoubtedly be shaped by these ongoing shifts, with Indian and Nigerian workers playing a central role in its evolution.
