Pickfords’ Move Monitor reveals Australia as the most popular international destination for UK residents looking to relocate.
Pickfords, the UK’s largest international removal company, has released this and other findings in their latest Move Monitor. The annual report provides invaluable insights into the latest moving trends from 2022 and pinpoints the top ten international destinations for people looking to relocate. The report is based on data collected from 11,060 Pickfords customers who moved abroad last year. The data was compared against the results from 2021 to identify changing patterns in relocation trends.
The results reveal that in 2022, Australia was the most popular international destination, with hundreds of people moving down under to start afresh. Australia’s reputation as one of the world’s top countries for quality of life is a significant incentive for individuals looking for a new home. This is due to a range of factors, including great food, a superior work-life balance, higher wages, shorter working days, and more public holidays.
Pickfords’ research showed that in 2022, Australia and the USA held onto the top two positions, while Canada and the UAE triumphed into the top five. The popularity of Italy and South Africa also grew, although not as dramatically.
However, European countries such as Spain and France saw a decrease in popularity, falling two or three positions. Brexit has most likely contributed to the decline in popularity of Spain and France, as it has made immigration to European countries increasingly challenging.
Approximately 400 more people relocated to Australia in 2022 than in 2021. In contrast, the number of people relocating to the UAE increased by approximately 250. The UAE’s low crime rates, tax-free incomes, attractive residential properties, and high salaries are some of the driving factors for people choosing to relocate there. Additionally, favorable exchange rates can result in increased income and wealth, making Dubai a highly appealing destination for potential expatriates.
Sophie Gower, spokesperson for Pickfords, stated that it is not surprising to see Australia remain the most popular international destination. “We see a huge number of people moving to Australia every year. It is a very popular place for Brits to move to for a number of reasons, including the shared language and culture, great quality of life, sunny weather and friendly people.”