UK faces brain drain as 70 per cent of recent graduates plan to emigrate

In an exodus similar to that in the Republic of Ireland, 70 per cent of the 350,000 UK students graduating in July are considering or actually planning to move abroad for better opportunities and an imrpoved quality of life.

A recent study has revealed that almost 50 per cent of those about to graduate had already decided to emigrate overseas during the next year, with another 23 per cent stating that they were considering the move. The majority of those planning to leave the UK were in it for the long-term of up to five years, with 11 per cent of respondents saying they would lprefer to remain overseas permanently.

Top destinations included New York with 58 per cent and Los Angeles with 26 per cent. Australia was considered attractive, with 58 per cent heading for Sydney and 23 per cent preferring Melbourne, and Beijing was the choice for 19 per cent of those determined to leave.

Government figures show that the contribution by graduates to the UK economy is 10 times the cost of their education, with economists fearing the emigration trend is likely to impede the country’s as yet fragile recovery. The top reason for leaving was better job opportunities, with the spiralling cost of living and a general disenchantment with the UK political system also mentioned by many respondents.