More and more Romanians are leaving Great Britain, but the Romanian community continues to support the British construction industry and economy

Romania officially lost nearly 55,000 residents in 2025, the largest wave of departures since 1990, while Romanians in the United Kingdom became one of the most important communities of foreign workers. INS data include only people who officially changed their domicile, so the actual number of those who left is probably higher.

Salary remains the main reason for emigration. A 2026 INSCOP survey shows that nearly two-thirds of young people cite a better-paid job as a reason for leaving. Romanians settled abroad also ask for better public services, stable rules, and less bureaucracy before considering returning.

According to an ACORD UK report, produced together with Bournemouth University and presented in the British Parliament, Romanians make a significant contribution to the United Kingdom’s economy. They are the largest group of foreign workers in construction, are present in the NHS, and supported transport and supply chains during the pandemic. In 2026, more than 60 people of Romanian origin ran in local elections in England, and ten were elected.

Despite their contribution, nearly half of Britons say they would prefer fewer Romanian immigrants. In Romania, for every person who returned in 2025, nearly three left.