What does the data tell us about immigration in Wales? Search for your area

Population Trends and Net Migration

Wales, like other regions, witnesses a constant movement of individuals relocating within and outside the country each year. The net migration rate, calculated by comparing arrivals and departures, reflects the overall population shift. As of June 2024, Wales’ population stood at 3.2 million, with a reported rise of approximately 23,000 over the prior year due to international migration.

Public Sentiment and Policy Perspectives

A recent YouGov survey revealed that 25% of respondents in Wales prioritized immigration alongside economic concerns for the Welsh government’s focus. Despite being managed by the UK government, immigration remains a topic of significant public interest. Terms like ‘legal’ and ‘illegal’ immigrants, as well as asylum seekers, often spark debate, leading to misunderstandings about the nature of movement into the region.

Categories of Migration

International migration statistics encompass individuals staying for at least 12 months, including British citizens returning from abroad and those relocating from other countries. Most migrants come for work or education, while others join family members or seek refuge through humanitarian programs. These include initiatives for displaced populations in regions like Ukraine and Hong Kong, or those applying for asylum.

Asylum Seekers and Integration Efforts

Asylum seekers are individuals seeking protection from threats in their home countries. Upon approval, they receive refugee or protected status. The Welsh government’s Nation of Sanctuary policy aims to assist those in Wales with integration and access to services. However, immigration control remains under the UK’s Home Office, which oversees the broader framework.

Wrexham’s Demographic Shifts

Wrexham, with a population of 138,245 as of June 2024, has seen a net addition of 2,900 people from international migration between 2020 and 2024. Yet, overall population growth was modest due to other factors, such as higher mortality rates among existing residents. The city has recently been the site of anti-immigration demonstrations following Home Office plans to house 70 asylum seekers in a care home, though the proposal was later abandoned.

Community Voices and Concerns

“The homeless people in town, they’re not getting priority over immigrants,”

said Natalie Wasiuk, 38, who participated in a protest. Her friend Kelsey Hesp, 32, highlighted perceived disparities:

“Seven years I was homeless for with my two children,”

she explained.

“Yet, there are families coming over here and they get housing. No matter what colour you are, or language you speak, we all bleed the same. But, when it comes to taking housing, jobs, being treated differently in your own country, I’m sorry.”

Home Office Data and Local Support

As of December 2025, 128 asylum seekers were housed in Wrexham under the Home Office’s legal obligation. There is no breakdown of how these individuals entered the UK. Separately, 333 households in the city qualified for homelessness assistance in the year ending March 2025, though the data does not specify whether these individuals were British or migrant.

Legal Immigration and Public Perception

Steven Rees-Davies, 63, expressed mixed views on immigration:

“Don’t get me wrong, the ones in the war I understand, but the ones that are coming over illegally, we’re still looking after them. I think that’s totally wrong,”

he stated. While most international arrivals do so legally, with visas granting permission, 49,000 individuals entered the UK without authorization in the year ending June 2025.

Interactive Exploration

Use our interactive tool to analyze international migration trends specific to your area. This resource offers insights into local population changes, helping to clarify the broader narrative of movement and settlement in Wales.