𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Britons are no longer waiting until their 30s to leave the UK, and are leaving in their 20s in record numbers, a bombshell new report has found. The Great Gen Z Exodus report by the TEFL Academy suggested that “economic pressure and shifting career priorities” are reshaping young people’s life decisions, as the future of Britains economy appears “weak”.

In June 2025, the study added, departures among those aged between 20 and 29 reached 130,000 to 140,000, significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels of around 92,000 to 95,000 in 2018. Meanwhile, emigration among those in their early 30s has fallen from around 78,000 to 81,000 in 2018 to 55,000 to 65,000 in 2025 over the same period, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) data.

The research said: “Together, this points to a clear shift towards earlier, opportunity-driven migration, with young professionals choosing to build their futures abroad sooner rather than later.

“This marks a fundamental shift in when Britons choose to leave the UK, with migration decisions happening earlier in life than ever before.”

It added: “Official migration data shows that the rise in young Britons leaving the UK is not a sudden spike, but a clear post-pandemic acceleration driven by shifting economic realities and changing career priorities.”

Survey responses suggested “economic pressures” are shaping individuals’ decisions.

Among respondents aged between 18 and 34, more than 86% agreed that UK wages do not reflect the cost of living, while around 79% said they feel constant financial pressure living in the UK.

Many also reported that it has become increasingly difficult to “get ahead”, with respondents rating the impact of cost-of-living pressures on their ability to progress at 4.29 out of five on average.

Researchers added that “despite strong personal ambition, confidence in the UK’s long-term economic outlook appears weak”.

Respondents rated their optimism about their long-term future in the country at an average of 2.44 out of five, “suggesting widespread uncertainty about the prospects available to young professionals”.

“Young Britons aren’t running away from the UK, they’re running toward opportunity,” said Rhyan O’Sullivan, Managing Director at The TEFL Academy.

“For many graduates, teaching English abroad offers a practical way to gain international experience, improve quality of life and build global careers.”

Experts called it a “generational turning point”, adding: “With an estimated 5.5million British citizens already living abroad, The TEFL Academy’s research suggests that younger generations are redefining success as the ability to build a stable, fulfilling life wherever opportunity exists, rather than being tied to one country.

“Taken together, the evidence suggests that international mobility is becoming an increasingly common part of career planning for younger generations. While individual motivations vary, from cost-of-living pressures to career acceleration, the broader pattern signals a generational recalibration of where young people believe their futures can realistically be built.”