Please note: this table has been updated; visit Commonwealth citizens arriving before 1971.
Commonwealth migrants arriving before 1971, year ending June 2017
| People born in Commonwealth countries by self-reported nationality | |
|---|---|
| Non-UK national | 57,000 |
| UK national | 467,000 |
| Total | 524,000 |
| Breakdown of pre-1971 non-UK nationals by nationality | |
| JAMAICA | 15,000 |
| INDIA | 13,000 |
| Others | 29,000 |
| Total | 57,000 |
Note: These data are a response to user requests about the number of people who arrived in the UK from Commonwealth countries before 1971. They show an estimate of the number of people born in Commonwealth countries who have lived in the UK since 1970 or earlier, as well as whether these people report that they are UK citizens. The figures include all Commonwealth countries, and not just Caribbean ‘Windrush’ migrants.
These figures do not represent an estimate of the number of people who are now likely to have difficulty demonstrating their legal status in the UK. The key question in this regard is how many people have documentation that demonstrates their legal status, e.g. an Indefinite Leave to Remain document. People who do have such documentation should not face any problems related to immigration enforcement.
Note that the nationality data used here are self-reported, which means that any people who mistakenly believe that they are UK citizens will not be included in the ‘non-UK nationals’ estimate. Data also exclude Malta and Cyprus (which are EU members), and exclude residents of communal establishments such as care homes. They are subject to sampling variability.
