The Great British Take-Off: Why Gen Z Are Leaving the UK Earlier Than Ever In 2026

These days Brits are leaving the UK, even though they’re still in their 20s – younger than ever before. And it’s happening in record numbers.

To get to the bottom of this, The TEFL Academy surveyed 3,000 Gen Z and young Millennials to find out what is driving this mass exodus. 

This post explains what we found, where they’re going, and what it means for those left behind.

Emigration by numbers

As of June 2025, the Office for National Statistics recorded that 257,000 British citizens left the United Kingdom to move abroad — 76% were under the age of 35.

Breaking that down further:

•         135,000 were Gen Z (20-29)
•         60,000 were young Millennials (30-34)

It was initially thought that the stats we’re seeing are just the result of the COVID-19 lockdown and that people were making up for lost time once the borders reopened.

But it’s actually something more than that.

While there was a spike in emigration right after the pandemic, years later the numbers have only continued to climb. Now, they are reaching record highs.

Among the 3,000 Gen Z and young Millennials we spoke to:

•         33% had already moved abroad
•         26% are actively planning to emigrate
•         30% are seriously considering it
•         11% are planning to stay

That’s 2,760 individuals who have already emigrated or are finding ways to do so.

But why are so many of them planning to leave?

The cost of staying

The UK is currently facing a cost-of-living crisis, which is hitting younger generations the hardest.

Gen Z and young Millennials are not just looking for an excuse to travel the world or avoid traditional career paths. These are people facing very real threats to their livelihoods.

The numbers from our survey make that pretty clear:

•         More than 86% of respondents say that UK wages do not match the current cost of living.
•         79% say they constantly experience financial pressure
•         Only 13% feel optimistic about their long-term future in the UK.

Housing prices increase year on year. Groceries become more expensive each month. Yet the average salary for a young professional rarely increases — that’s if you find work in the first place.

Many earn just enough to get by, but not enough to save or put towards their futures. Others find themselves in jobs with little room to grow or no clear path forward.

For younger generations, staying in the UK often means working hard to get ahead, but having your goals always just out of reach.

 Read more: 10 Ways You Can Work Abroad

Why emigration is the only option

We found that only 30% of participants feel confident that they could build a good life for themselves on British soil, while just 26% believe that the UK still offers good opportunities for young people.

The most alarming of all is that 61% say that moving abroad feels like a necessity, not a luxury.

According to the British Council, 63% of Gen Z and young Millennials feel that their standards of living are worse than their parents’. A further 65 % believe that housing prices will continue to rise, making it harder to afford rent or to even consider buying a home.

Currently, 72% of 18–30-year-olds are open to emigrating and the main driving factor behind this: low wages.

It’s easy to see why so many young Britons are looking elsewhere for opportunities.

One thing that is becoming apparent is that these generations are redefining the meaning behind quality of life, and breaking old career traditions.

Today, young professionals prioritise a better work-life balance and opportunities for growth — two things that survey participants feel are unattainable in the UK.

While older generations typically stayed in one job for their entire careers, Gen Z and young Millennials are more open to change. 62% of survey participants said that they don’t care about having a “job for life” in the UK.

Instead, they’re happy to job hop or even emigrate if it will open more doors for them or allow them to live more comfortably.  

 Read more: Transferable Skills For TEFL Teachers

Where young Britons are going

For those looking to emigrate, there is no shortage of places to move to. The top picks are Australia, the US and Canada, or more broadly: Europe or Asia. And here’s why:

Australia

The outdoor lifestyle is one of the reasons many Brits are heading down under, but the main draw is the higher wages.

From our study, 72% of participants cited that the earning potential was the primary reason they either moved or were considering moving to Australia.

Fortunately, the country offers working holiday visas, which are a key entry point for many young Brits.

US and Canada

Current emigration data shows that many British nationals are drawn to North America.

This is because life in America and Canada is not too different from life in the UK, making it relatively easy to settle down.

The labour markets are largely English-speaking, unlike the rest of Europe, and they also offer many opportunities for career growth.

Europe

For many Brits, leaving the UK doesn’t mean leaving the continent.

Gen Z and Young Millennials are choosing to settle in Spain, Portugal, or Germany so that they can maintain the EU lifestyle they’re currently accustomed to, while still enjoying a more affordable cost of living.

Many expats struggle with culture shock when relocating abroad, but life in Europe is easier for them to manage. Despite the number of countries and cultures within its borders, European life is largely similar to what young Brits are used to, so it makes the transition easier, especially for those leaving home for the first time.

What’s more, staying in the EU allows them to travel more easily than anywhere else, not to mention that the UK isn’t too far away if they ever get homesick.

Asia

Thanks to its growing demand for TEFL teachers and relatively low cost of living, Asia is another one of the most popular destinations for British expats.

Thailand, Vietnam, and South Korea are areas of particular interest as they offer the most opportunities for those looking to teach English abroad.

Although it’s not just TEFL jobs that are calling young professionals to the East.

Many remote workers are also making the move here to capitalise on its affordability. Many Asian countries offer digital nomad visas and great co-working spaces that make it possible to travel freely while working online.

 Read more: The Digital Nomad Visa: A Ticket To Your Best Life

The role of TEFL and accessible global work

One of the most popular entry points into working abroad is through teaching English as a foreign language.

TEFL qualifications can be completed online and in a fraction of the time it takes to study towards other professions. This means that young Brits can enter the job market more quickly and without needing the years of study or experience that traditional jobs require.

In addition, there’s a global demand for TEFL teachers, so young Brits can choose a position anywhere in the world instead of being tied down to one location.

Other aspects that make TEFL appealing to Gen Z and young Millennials are that it usually offers an immediate income, international experience, and career flexibility, something very few jobs can offer. And even fewer jobs can offer this to those who are just starting out.

 Read more: How Long Does A 168-Hour TEFL Course Take? 

What are they looking for abroad?

Emigrating is not an easy task. But for many young Britons, the reward is worth the risk.

The most commonly cited motivation for leaving is a better quality of life, with 45% of those surveyed putting it at the top of their list.

For Gen Z and young Millennials, a better quality of life involves more than just a higher salary. It means having a healthier work-life balance, something that many jobs abroad can offer.

Cost-of-living relief comes in a close second, with 39% looking to escape the high price of housing, food, and utilities. Many TEFL positions include accommodation as one of the benefits, which takes away one of the biggest financial stressors that many Brits face back home.

In third place is career growth. Many young professionals feel that international experience will fast-track their careers and open doors that simply wouldn’t be available to them at home. Plus, it’s a great chance to network and build international connections for the future.

But emigrating offers many personal benefits too.

Navigating life in a foreign country is also a great way to become independent, gain confidence, and expand your worldview.  Not to mention that you’ll make friends and experiences to last a lifetime along the way.

What we’ve learned

Moving overseas is by no means an easy task, but it’s clear that many young Britons feel that they can’t afford not to do it, especially if it’s the only way to find work or to improve their quality of life.

Unfortunately, emigration at this scale also affects those staying behind by creating a cycle that becomes harder to reverse each year.

But for those leaving, a life abroad offers them a chance to grow both personally and professionally.  With so many Gen Z and young Millennials feeling as if they are being held back, it’s easy to see why that opportunity is so alluring. 

At the end of the day, these young Britons are leaving to create a brighter future for themselves, even if it means making tough decisions and starting over.  

 Read the full report here: The Great Gen Z Exodus

Author Bio

Written by

Claire Herbert

Edited by Kirsten Colquhoun

Claire Herbert is a TEFL-certified writer and course content developer for The TEFL Academy. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Languages (Spanish and English) from the University of Pretoria. Although her early experiences involved tutoring English literature at the university and hosting conversational English classes, Claire has now switched to developing courses and educational content to help train new TEFL teachers around the world. Read Claire Herbert's story →