Over the past few years, a record number of young British nationals have chosen to leave the UK. They are seeking higher opportunities and quality of lives in other nations. Statistics show that approximately 200,000 more British nationals have left the UK in the 12-month period ending June 2025. Perhaps most surprisingly of all, a full three-quarters of them were under the age of 35. Whether this is a sign that people are, on average, getting more discontented with the UK’s economic environment. They desire a better culture to learn and grow both personally as well as professionally.
One of those taking the plunge amid the uncertainty is Ray Amjad, a fresh graduate from Cambridge University. Amjad’s first instinct was to remain in the UK. As of now, he has his sights firmly set on Japan and is planning to apply for permanent residency there. His decision foreshadows a trend we’re seeing more and more from young professionals. They’re looking outwards, aggressively pursuing opportunities in overseas markets that offer more dynamic business climates.
Yet another young entrepreneur, Colchester’s Sol Hyde, wasted no time in starting to invest in new opportunities as soon as his online ecommerce venture started earning money. He relocated to Tokyo last year on a two-year visa modeled after features of America’s H-1B program for highly skilled graduates. Hyde’s personal ethos reflects the growing movement of young Britons who are eschewing established career routes to embrace an entrepreneurial and lifestyle-driven future. He feels optimistic about his prospects applying for permanent residency in Japan down the line.
Hyde has spent a significant portion of this year working remotely from Bali, illustrating the flexibility that modern technology affords business owners. He is very much still in growth mode on his business. He now oversees six full-time staff, and in the new year will hire four new employees.
Along with Japan, Isobel Perl, a 30-year-old entrepreneur, has made the choice to move to Dubai when the new year begins. Perl has her sights set on growing her business to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). She was one of the first people to get one of the 10,000 golden visas from the UAE government. She has some trials to get through, including a trademark opposition. This ultimately leads her to the difficult decision to rebrand her company from PERL Cosmetics to Isobel Perl.
Violence is just one of many factors pushing migrants from Honduras. A striking undercurrent in all of them is the frustration with the current doughnut-shaped economy of the UK. David Little, an expert on international migration trends, observes that young people are increasingly opting for opportunities abroad due to what he describes as “an increasingly negative economic narrative in the UK.”
For many young Britons like Sol Hyde, relocating has provided not only professional opportunities but an improved quality of life. Here, he explains how his own experience living in Japan, which he describes as feeling much safer and more secure than the UK.
“It feels much safer here. I can walk around and not worry about my phone being stolen. I can leave my laptop in a cafe for a while and it’s still going to be there.” – Sol Hyde
Hyde stresses that his cost of living is much lower than in London, writing,
“And the flat I’m renting would be three times the price in London.” – Sol Hyde
Given these changes, families have adapted their support strategies. An increasing number of parents today are financing their children’s emigration rather than home deposits.
“Interestingly, instead of the traditional ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ helping with a first home deposit, families are now supporting children with the costs of emigration and settling abroad.” – Sol Hyde
So many share experiences of deep loneliness across the UK, especially in the most difficult moments.
“I was waking up to darkness and cold. It was quite a lonely existence because all my friends were working so hard,” – Sol Hyde.
Hyde says his new life is deeply satisfying, more socially engaged, and more rewarding. He notes,
“I wake up to the sun and jump on my motorbike to my run club,” – Sol Hyde.
This unexpected sense of community connectivity has created more opportunities to meet and collaborate with lots of other young people with the same entrepreneurial drive.
“I meet 30 other young people building businesses and we get a coffee together. I co-work with friends all day and then we go out in the evening,” – Sol Hyde.
This sense of community, he explains, was the livable antidote to his former corporate life, where social isolation was a productivity hack.
“But when I had a corporate job, I didn’t see them because I was working so hard. Now I am closer to them because we actually speak more,” – Sol Hyde.
Even with the regret, hardship, and all the invasive, doubting, or condescending reactions that come with moving abroad, Hyde stands by his choice. He considers his move to Japan a short-to-medium term arrangement, as he continues to seek additional opportunities internationally.
“This is a medium-term solution for me,” – Sol Hyde.
As youthful expatriates Amjad, Hyde, and Perl increasingly demonstrate, a growing number of younger Britons are departing their home country seeking personal happiness and professional opportunity. This new reality is changing the way younger generations understand migration. The promise of tax incentives, safety, and an environment where companies can thrive seem to be the main pieces pulling this movement.