The United Kingdom is trailing other major Western nations in attracting highly skilled foreign workers, according to new data from hiring platform Indeed.
Despite a government policy aimed at drawing in high-skilled talent, only 21 percent of foreign job seekers clicked on UK job postings offering top-tier wages, ranging between £35,200 and £91,000 annually. This places the UK among the lowest of advanced economies, with only Spain performing worse.
In contrast, countries like France and the Netherlands attract 36 percent and 35 percent of foreign clicks, respectively, for jobs in the upper third of the wage distribution. A notable 39 percent of foreign interest in the UK is directed towards lower-paid roles, such as those in food preparation and service, which accounted for nearly 9 percent of clicks in the first half of 2024. Retail jobs followed at 5.7 percent, highlighting a disparity between the UK’s immigration objectives and the types of jobs actually attracting international candidates.
Despite the challenge in luring high earners, foreign interest in UK jobs overall remains strong. International job searches accounted for 4.9 percent of total searches in July 2024, a significant increase from 3.2 percent in 2019, before Brexit and the pandemic. This growth in interest surpasses the 29 percent rise seen across the European Union over the same period.
Brexit’s Impact on UK Hiring
The UK’s post-Brexit immigration system, which introduced a points-based approach, has made it more difficult for employers to hire foreign workers, including EU citizens. Indeed’s survey of over 1,500 UK employees and employers revealed divided opinions on Brexit’s impact: 35 percent of employers believe the new system will help them attract talent, while 33 percent say it will hinder their efforts.
Brits Eyeing Opportunities Abroad
While the UK may be struggling to attract high-skilled foreign workers, a significant number of British workers are looking to leave the country. Indeed’s survey found that 62 percent of Brits would consider working abroad, driven by the promise of a better quality of life. More than half (54%) of respondents believe moving abroad would improve their lifestyle, with many also expecting higher salaries and better career opportunities.
However, many UK employers are not prepared to accommodate such desires for international work. Nearly half (47%) of workers report that their company does not allow employees to work from abroad, and 42 percent of employers lack policies to support overseas working arrangements.
Global Job Market Trends
The data also highlighted the allure of smaller countries with high standards of living for foreign workers. Luxembourg tops the list, with 77 percent of job searches coming from abroad, followed by Oman (55%), Kuwait (45%), Switzerland (44%), and Qatar (36%).
Pawel Adrjan, Director of Economic Research at Indeed, commented: “While foreign interest in UK jobs has surged, the country is falling behind in attracting highly skilled workers, which runs counter to the government’s immigration policy goals. As borders become less relevant, both businesses and nations need to offer not just competitive salaries but also appealing living conditions, healthcare, and political stability to attract top talent.”
As the UK continues to navigate its post-Brexit labour market, the challenge remains for policymakers to align immigration strategies with the changing global workforce dynamics.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
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