, May 22 -- Net migration to the UK is projected to decline by nearly 50% in 2024, largely due to a significant drop in arrivals from non-EU nations and an increase in departures of international students, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Thursday.

Provisional ONS data shows that net migration for the year ending December 2024 is estimated at 431,000, a sharp fall from 860,000 in 2023.

The decrease is mainly attributed to fewer arrivals on work and student visas from non-EU+ countries-which include all nations outside the EU, European Economic Area, and Switzerland-and a rise in emigration, particularly among former international students.

The total number of long-term arrivals is expected to fall to 948,000, do...