National Insurance numbers allocated to adult overseas nationals to March 2021
Published 27 May 2021
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The latest release of these statistics can be found in the collection of National Insurance number allocations statistics.
This summary contains statistics on National Insurance numbers (NINos) allocated to adult overseas nationals, covering the period from January 2002 to March 2021.
A National Insurance number (or NINo) is generally required by any adult overseas national looking to work or claim benefits and tax credits in the UK.
These Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) statistics show a count, by individual nationality, of the number of NINos registered to adult non-UK nationals each quarter, irrespective of the length of stay in the UK. The statistics are not a count of the number of adult non-UK nationals currently residing in the UK.
1. Main stories
There were 84,000 NINo registrations in quarter 1 (Q1) of the 2021 calendar year, a 30% rise since the previous quarter, but a 51% decrease compared to the same quarter in 2020. This decrease is primarily due to the effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
There were 42,000 NINo registrations to EU nationals recorded in Q1 2021, a 51% decrease from Q1 2020. NINo registrations to EU nationals during Q1 2021 were the highest they had been in a quarter since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, at the end of March 2020. For the first time since Q4 2019, EU registrations within a quarter, outnumber Non-EU registrations, although only marginally, by 180 registrations. When comparing to the previous quarter (Q4 2020), EU registrations increase, while registrations to Non-EU nationals decrease.
In the twelve months ending March 2021, the total number of NINo registrations to adult overseas nationals was 230,000: a 69% decrease on the twelve months ending March 2020. Registrations to Non-EU nationals in the twelve months ending March 2021, continued to outnumber registrations to EU nationals. In the twelve months ending March 2021, registrations to Non-EU nationals outnumbered registrations to EU nationals by 88,000. It should be noted that this is the first NINo publication to include a full twelve months’ worth of data following the start of the first UK COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020.
In the twelve months ending March 2021, there were 72,000 NINo registrations to EU nationals. This represents a decrease of 360,000 (83%), in comparison to the number of registrations during the twelve-month period ending March 2020. EU registrations were at the lowest level recorded in a full twelve-month period since the start of the time series. This change was due to a decrease in registrations to all EU countries, with decreases in registrations to nationals from Romania, Poland and Italy accounting for 50% of the total decrease of EU registrations during this period. In January 2020 the UK officially exited the EU, although until the end of the transition period, on 31 December 2020, the rights of EU nationals remained unchanged. Demand for NINo services from EU nationals may have been impacted by the EU Exit, however this cannot be inferred from these statistics due to the wider effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on NINo services.
In the twelve months ending March 2021, there were 160,000 NINo registrations to Non-EU nationals. This represents a decrease of 170,000 (51%), when compared to the number of registrations recorded during the twelve months ending March 2020 for this group. Decreases in registrations to nationals from India, Pakistan, China, Australia and the United States, accounted for 43% of the decrease of registrations to Non-EU nationals in the twelve months ending March 2021.
It is important to acknowledge that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NINo operations were paused for the majority of applicants from mid-March 2020.
During the twelve-month period ending March 2021, the NINo service to EU Nationals was more heavily disrupted than for Non-EU nationals by the COVID-19 pandemic. This was due to the closure of face-to-face services which at the time (prior to the end of the transition period, 31 December 2020) required EU nationals to attend an evidence of identity interview prior to a NINo being allocated. Therefore, caution must be taken when using EU figures for this period.
The majority of Non-EU Nationals were able to access the NINo service via a postal process as they would have had their identity verified by another government department, for example through the Home Office visa process. The postal process was reinstated on 1 June 2020, after being suspended in March 2020.
2. What you need to know
This summary contains statistics on NINos allocated to adult overseas nationals, covering the period from January 2002 to March 2021.
Re-designation of National Statistics Status
The UK Statistics Authority re-designated these statistics as National Statistics, at November 2020. This outcome is the result of work over the last 3 years undertaken by the statistics team responsible for the publication in order to address a list of recommendations the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) set out in in their judgement in January 2017, when they judged that the National Statistics status would be temporarily suspended.
The 2017 assessment of the statistics focused on eight requirements which DWP was to meet to ensure compliance with the Code of Practice for Statistics and considered more broadly how the statistics meet the three pillars of the Code of Practice for Statistics: Trustworthiness, Quality, and Value and with the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007.
Key developments include:
- introduction of quarterly data in the narrative
- a thorough quality report
- detailed methodology note and data journey
- new user engagement strategy
- new publication strategy
- move to HTML and a more accessible release
Once statistics have been designated as National Statistics it is the responsibility of the statistics team to maintain compliance with these standards.
What can you use these figures for?
The statistics provide:
- a 100% count of foreign nationals registered for a NINo in a quarter
- the nationality of foreign nationals at the time of registering
- where the foreign nationals registered
What you cannot use these figures for
The statistics cannot be used as a count of:
- quarterly or annual migration to the UK
- the number of foreign nationals who have started work or are currently in work
- the number of foreign nationals who are currently in the UK
The statistics show the number of people registered for a NINo in order to work or to claim benefits and tax credits and are one of a number of supplementary measures produced by government of in-migration to the UK.
Although quarterly registration figures are provided in the accompanying data tables, care should be taken when interpreting quarterly changes as they might reflect changes in operational activity. Annual year-on-year changes are more reliable to reflect longer-term trends.
The statistics are published as part of the scheduled timetable for the release of cross-Government migration statistics.
Read the background information note for further information, including detail on uses and limitations of the series.
Comparisons with other sources of migration
NINo statistics are not a direct measure of long term migration and therefore are not directly comparable with Office for National Statistics (ONS) long-term estimates of immigration.
On 7 March 2016, the ONS published an information note explaining the reasons why long-term international immigration figures from the International Passenger Survey (IPS) could differ from the number of NINo registrations.
This was followed by an analytical paper presenting analysis that has been undertaken across government to help understand why the two series are showing different trends, with focus on EU migration.
Transformation of Migration Statistics
Following the suspension of the IPS as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ONS is in the process of developing international migration statistics based on alternative administrative data sources. The first iteration of these new Admin-Based Migration Estimates (ABMEs) were published on 16 April 2021. More information on the progress made and timelines can be found in “Population and migration statistics system transformation – recent updates”.
EU groupings used within migration statistics
The following EU groupings are used in the statistics:
- EU15 (these are the original EU members: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden)
- EU8 (these joined the EU in 2004: Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia)
- EU2 (these joined the EU in 2007: Romania & Bulgaria)
- EU Other (Croatia, Cyprus and Malta)
For reporting purposes, countries have been grouped into ‘World Areas’ based primarily on geographical location.
Changes to the process of NINo recording in 2014
A change to the process of recording NINos during Q2 2014, means that the volume of NINo registrations recorded were lower in that quarter and then higher in Q3 2014 than would otherwise be the case. Therefore, NINo registrations over this period should be interpreted with caution.
Rounding policy
The rounding policy was reviewed for the May 2020 publication, as the publication now includes lower level figures. Data in the release has since been rounded as shown in the following table.
| From | To | Rounded to nearest |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1,000 | 10 |
| 1,001 | 10,000 | 100 |
| 10,001 | 100,000 | 1,000 |
| 100,001 | 1,000,000 | 10,000 |
| 1,000,001 | 10,000,000 | 100,000 |
| 10,000,001 | 100,000,000 | 1,000,000 |
All changes are calculated prior to rounding. Percentage changes are calculated prior to rounding and then are rounded to the nearest whole number. As all figures within this statistical summary have been rounded, they may not add up.
COVID-19
The NINo allocation process was disrupted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has resulted in a significant reduction in the number of NINos allocated.
The processing of NINo applications made for employment purposes was suspended in March 2020 to enable the redeployment of resources to other DWP areas to address the unprecedented demand for financial assistance, for example to help process new Universal Credit applications. Although new NINo applications made for employment purposes were not accepted, those already received and new applications made for benefit purposes were processed to completion. The postal process for NINo applicants with a valid work visa issued prior to their arrival in the UK was reinstated on 1 June, after being suspended in March 2020, enabling applications to be accepted from Non-EU nationals. During this time DWP developed a digital service, which began accepting applications from EU nationals who have been granted pre-settled or settled status through the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), in December 2020. Face to face services reopened in April 2021.
The impact of the operational disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be visible in the yearly data for some time after the COVID-19 pandemic ends. Once NINo services become fully available any change in demand for NINo services during the COVID-19 pandemic, currently not visible in the data, may start impacting the yearly NINo registration statistics.
Operational Changes: Apply for a NINo
DWP have introduced a digital platform to enable applicants to make an application for a NINo using an on-line service. Where an applicant has already had their identity verified as part of their immigration status, visa applications, or the EU Settlement Scheme, the need for a face-to-face identity check is no longer required. The processes to verify the identity of individuals who have been granted EUSS status, were put in place on 7 December 2020. This will have had a small effect on the registrations recorded in Q4 2020, with this being fully reflected in the Q1 2021 statistics.
EU Exit
This statistical release covers the period until 31 March 2021. The Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Act 2020 ended free movement between the EU and the UK on 31 December 2020 and the Future Relationship treaty came into force, launching the new Points Based Immigration System. Read the background information note for further information on the EU Exit.
Quarterly Data
For some nationality sub-groups, seasonal patterns in the number of registrations are visible in the quarterly figures. However, these are often heavily disrupted by various changes to policy, operations and other events such as COVID-19. Seasonal effects can also be suppressed at levels of data higher than individual nationalities, due to different countries having opposing seasonal patterns.
Q1 to Q4 refers to calendar quarters, starting from 1 January to 31 March for Q1.
3. How many people are registering?
In the twelve months ending March 2021, registrations to Non-EU nationals outnumbered registrations to EU nationals by 88,000 registrations.
Source: Stat-Xplore.
In the twelve months ending March 2021, 230,000 NINos were registered to adult overseas nationals. This is a 69% decrease on the twelve months ending March 2020. Registrations to Non-EU nationals in the twelve months ending March 2021 continued to outnumber registrations to EU nationals. In the twelve months ending March 2021, registrations to Non-EU nationals outnumbered registrations to EU nationals by 88,000.
The overall decrease in registrations is primarily due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with processing of new NINo applications made for employment purposes being suspended on 18 March 2020. Although new NINo applications made for employment purposes were not accepted between 18 March and 1 June 2020, those already received and new applications made for benefit purposes were processed to completion.
In Q1 2021, there were 84,000 NINos registered, a 51% decrease on the number of registrations made in Q1 2020 but a 30% rise since last quarter.
Source: Stat-Xplore.
In Q1 2021, both EU and Non-EU registrations decreased when compared to Q1 2020. There were 42,000 NINo registrations to EU nationals recorded in Q1 2021, a decrease of 51% from Q1 2020. Non-EU registrations decreased by 52% to 42,000 registrations over the same period. However, an increase in total registrations (84,000 in Q1 2021) is seen when compared with the previous quarter.
4. Where in the world are people registering from?
In the twelve months ending March 2021, of all the NINos registered to adult overseas nationals, 69% were registered to Non-EU nationals.
Source: Stat-Xplore.
NINo registrations in the twelve months ending March 2021, change from previous year and annual percentage change
| World Area | Registrations to March 2020 | Registrations to March 2021 | Change from previous year | Annual Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU | 430,000 | 72,000 | -360,000 | -83% |
| Non-EU | 330,000 | 160,000 | -170,000 | -51% |
| Total [note 1] | 760,000 | 230,000 | -520,000 | -69% |
Source: Stat-Xplore.
Note 1: Due to rounding and the inclusion of unknown nationalities in the total, the total figure could differ from the sum of EU and Non-EU.
Registrations from EU and Non-EU nationals decreased year on year and total registrations in the twelve months ending March 2021 are the lowest they have been in any twelve months’ period during the whole time series. In the twelve months ending March 2021, Non-EU registrations continued to outnumber EU registrations. During this period, registrations to EU nationals decreased by 83%, compared to a 51% decrease in registrations from Non-EU nationals. EU registrations accounted for 31% of the total registrations in the twelve months ending March 2021, compared to 57% of registrations in the twelve months ending March 2020.
NINo registrations in Q1 2021, compared with Q1 2020
| World Area | Registrations Q1 2020 | Registrations Q1 2021 | Change from Q1 2020 | Percentage Change from Q1 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU | 86,000 | 42,000 | -44,000 | -51% |
| Non-EU | 87,000 | 42,000 | -45,000 | -52% |
| Total [note 2] | 170,000 | 84,000 | -89,000 | -51% |
Source: Stat-Xplore.
Note 2: Due to rounding and the inclusion of unknown nationalities in the total, the total figure could differ from the sum of EU and Non-EU.
In Q1 2021, both EU and Non-EU registrations decreased when compared to Q1 2020. EU registrations decreased by 51% from Q1 2020, while Non-EU registrations decreased by 52% to 42,000 registrations over the same period.
There were 42,000 NINo registrations to EU nationals recorded in Q1 2021. NINo registrations to EU nationals during Q1 2021 were the highest they had been in a quarter since the start of the first UK COVID-19 lockdown towards the end of March 2020. For the first time since Q4 2019, EU registrations within a quarter, outnumbered Non-EU registrations, although only marginally, by 180 registrations. When compared to the previous quarter (Q4 2020), EU registrations increased, while registrations to Non-EU nationals decreased over the same period.
In Q1 2021, NINo registrations to EU nationals accounted for 50% of all registrations. This is the same share they accounted for in Q1 2020.
EU NINo services have been more heavily disrupted than Non-EU NINo services by the COVID-19 pandemic. This was due to the suspension of the ‘Evidence of Identity’ interview which EU applicants were required to attend. Where an applicant has already had their identity verified by another government department, for example through the Home Office visa process, a face to face identity check is not required. The postal process for NINo applicants with a valid work visa issued prior to their arrival in the UK was reinstated on 1 June 2020, after being suspended in March 2020, affecting applications from Non-EU nationals. This process has now been extended to all applicants who have been through a Home Office identity check including those who have been granted a status through the EUSS.
5. EU Registrations
The majority of NINo registrations to EU nationals in Q1 2021 are likely to have been to applicants who, due to the suspension of the service, are only now able to make an application for a NINo.
Extreme caution must be taken when using the EU registrations for the twelve months ending March 2021 and Q1 2021 for migration statistics, due to the larger impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the NINo allocation service to EU nationals.
The postal process for NINo applicants with a valid work visa issued prior to their arrival in the UK was reinstated on 1 June 2020, after being suspended in March 2020, affecting applications from Non-EU nationals.
5.1 Long term trends and changes in EU Registrations
In the twelve months ending March 2021, NINo registrations from all EU sub-groups continued to decrease.
Source: Stat-Xplore.
Across the whole time series, since 2002:
-
registrations from EU15 countries gradually increased from June 2003 until they peaked in the twelve months ending June 2015 (with 260,000 registrations that accounted for 38% of EU registrations), and declined after the EU Exit referendum in June 2016. They then began to increase from the twelve months ending December 2018, until the twelve months ending December 2019 and have since declined again
-
registrations to EU8 citizens drove the sharp rise in EU NINo registrations in 2004, when countries from the EU8 joined the EU. EU8 registrations peaked in the twelve months ending September 2007 (with 340,000 registrations that accounted for 71% of EU registrations), after which they declined until the twelve months ending March 2010. After a period of volatility EU8 registrations have again generally declined since the EU Exit referendum in 2016
-
registrations to EU2 nationals were relatively low until the removal of restrictions on work for EU2 citizens drove the sharp rise in EU registrations in 2014. Some of this reflected individuals who were residing in the UK prior to 2014 and would only have been able to register for a NINo after that date (arrival to registration analysis on EU2 nationals for more about this). EU2 registrations peaked in the twelve months ending December 2016 (with 230,000 registrations that accounted for 37% of EU registrations) and declined until the twelve months ending March 2019. They then increased again, until the twelve months ending September 2019 and have since declined
NINo registrations by EU sub-group in the twelve months ending March 2021, change from previous year and annual percentage change
| EU sub-group | Registrations to March 2020 | Registrations to March 2021 | Change from previous year | Annual Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU15 | 190,000 | 35,000 | -160,000 | -82% |
| EU8 | 71,000 | 8,500 | -63,000 | -88% |
| EU2 | 160,000 | 28,000 | -130,000 | -83% |
| EU Other | 5,400 | 880 | -4,500 | -84% |
| Total EU | 430,000 | 72,000 | -360,000 | -83% |
Source: Stat-Xplore.
In the twelve months ending March 2021, there were 72,000 NINo registrations by EU nationals. Of which:
-
35,000 registrations were to EU15 nationals, a decrease of 82% since the twelve months ending March 2020. EU15 registrations now account for 49% of EU registrations compared to 45% in the twelve months ending March 2020. In the twelve months ending March 2021 EU15 registrations (35,000) were the lowest they had been in any full year throughout the whole time series
-
8,500 registrations were to EU8 nationals, a decrease of 88% since the twelve months ending March 2020. EU8 registrations now account for 12% of EU registrations compared to 17% in the twelve months ending March 2020. EU8 registrations in the twelve months ending March 2021 (8,500) were the lowest they had been in any full year throughout the whole time series
-
28,000 registrations were to EU2 nationals, a decrease of 83% since the twelve months ending March 2020. EU2 registrations now account for 38% of EU registrations. This is the same as it was in the twelve months ending March 2020. Registrations to EU2 nationals for the twelve months ending March 2021 (28,000) are the lowest they have been since the twelve months ending December 2013. Restrictions to EU2 nationals were lifted on 1st January 2014
-
the largest number of NINo registrations to EU nationals were to nationals from Romania (21,000), followed by nationals from Italy (9,300), Bulgaria (7,300), Spain (7,000) and Portugal (5,300)
Top 5 EU individual nationalities by number of registrations in the twelve months ending March 2021 and annual percentage change
| EU Country | Registrations to March 2021 | Annual Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|
| Romania | 21,000 | -83% |
| Italy | 9,300 | -81% |
| Bulgaria | 7,300 | -80% |
| Spain | 7,000 | -81% |
| Portugal | 5,300 | -78% |
Source: Stat-Xplore.
In the twelve months ending March 2021, total EU registrations decreased by 83% from the previous year. The decrease was driven by the decrease in registrations from all EU sub-groups, particularly from the EU2 and EU15 that accounted for a combined 81% of the total decrease in EU registrations. Annual registrations to EU nationals are the lowest they have been in any full year since the beginning of the time series.
Romania, Italy, Poland, Spain and Bulgaria were the five EU countries that saw the largest decrease in the number of NINo registrations in the twelve months ending March 2021. Although these five countries saw the largest decreases in the number of registrations, four of them (Romania, Italy, Bulgaria and Spain) are also amongst the five EU countries with the most registrations in the twelve months ending March 2021.
The decrease in annual registrations by nationals from Italy and Spain accounted for 45% of the decrease of registrations by EU15 nationals. The decrease in registrations to Polish nationals accounted for 54% of the decrease in EU8 registrations. The decrease in registrations to Romanian nationals accounted for 78% of the decrease in annual EU2 registrations.
EU individual nationalities with the largest decrease in registrations in the twelve months ending March 2021, change from previous year and annual percentage change
| EU Country | Registrations to March 2020 | Registrations to March 2021 | Change from previous year | Annual Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romania | 120,000 | 21,000 | -100,000 | -83% |
| Italy | 49,000 | 9,300 | -40,000 | -81% |
| Poland | 38,000 | 4,300 | -34,000 | -89% |
| Spain | 37,000 | 7,000 | -30,000 | -81% |
| Bulgaria | 37,000 | 7,300 | -30,000 | -80% |
Source: Stat-Xplore.
5.2. Recent changes in EU Registrations
In Q1 2021, there were 42,000 NINo registrations by EU nationals, a decrease of 51% when compared with Q1 2020, but an increase since the last quarter (Q4 2020).
Source: Stat-Xplore.
NINo registrations by EU sub-group in Q1 2021, compared with Q1 2020
| EU sub-group | Registrations Q1 2020 | Registrations Q1 2021 | Change from Q1 2020 | Percentage Change from Q1 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU15 | 42,000 | 21,000 | -20,000 | -48% |
| EU8 | 11,000 | 4,200 | -7,100 | -63% |
| EU2 | 31,000 | 16,000 | -16,000 | -50% |
| EU Other | 1,000 | 510 | -540 | -51% |
| Total EU | 86,000 | 42,000 | -44,000 | -51% |
Source: Stat-Xplore.
Compared to the same quarter a year ago, in Q1 2021:
-
registrations to EU15 nationals decreased by 48% to 21,000 registrations
-
registrations to EU8 nationals decreased by 63% to 4,200 registrations
-
registrations to EU2 nationals decreased by 50% to 16,000 registrations
-
NINo registrations to EU15 and EU Other nationals had the fifth largest decrease between equivalent quarters of consecutive years since the start of the time series
-
the largest number of NINo registrations in Q1 2021 were to nationals from Romania (11,000), followed by nationals from Italy (6,200), Bulgaria (4,500), Spain (4,400) and from Portugal (3,700)
In Q1 2021, the number of NINo registrations to EU nationals was the highest in a calendar quarter since the start of the first UK COVID-19 lockdown towards the end of March 2020. However, they remain significantly lower when compared to quarterly data before the start of the pandemic. This is reflected in all four EU Sub-Groups.
Top 5 EU individual nationalities by number of registrations in Q1 2021 and percentage change from Q1 2020
| EU Country | Registrations in Q1 2021 | Percentage Change from Q1 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Romania | 11,000 | -53% |
| Italy | 6,200 | -44% |
| Bulgaria | 4,500 | -39% |
| Spain | 4,400 | -42% |
| Portugal | 3,700 | -27% |
Source: Stat-Xplore.
In Q1 2021, total EU registrations decreased by 51% from Q1 2020, but increased since the last quarter (Q4 2020). Large decreases were observed in all EU sub-groups when comparing to Q1 2020, however when comparing to the previous quarter large increases were observed in all EU sub-groups.
All EU countries, except for Luxembourg, saw a decrease in registrations in Q1 2021 from Q1 2020. The decrease in registrations to nationals from Italy, Spain and France accounted for 55% of the decrease in EU15 registrations. The decrease in registrations to Polish nationals accounted for 53% of the decrease in EU8 registrations. The decrease in registrations to Romanian nationals accounted for 82% of the decrease in EU2 registrations.
EU individual nationalities with the largest decrease in registrations in Q1 2021, change in registrations and percentage change from Q1 2020
| EU Country | Registrations Q1 2020 | Registrations Q1 2021 | Change from Q1 2020 | Percentage Change from Q1 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romania | 24,000 | 11,000 | -13,000 | -53% |
| Italy | 11,000 | 6,200 | -4,800 | -44% |
| Poland | 6,000 | 2,200 | -3,800 | -64% |
| Spain | 7,700 | 4,400 | -3,200 | -42% |
| France | 4,800 | 1,800 | -3,100 | -63% |
Source: Stat-Xplore.
6. Non-EU registrations
It is important to acknowledge that registrations to Non-EU nationals have been less severely impacted by disruptions to NINo services than registrations to EU nationals. The postal process for NINo applicants with a valid work visa, issued prior to their arrival in the UK, was reinstated on 1 June 2020, after being suspended in March 2020, affecting applications by Non-EU nationals.
6.1. Long term trends and changes in Non-EU Registrations
In the twelve months ending March 2021, there were fewer registrations to all Non-EU sub-groups when compared to the twelve months ending March 2020.
Source: Stat-Xplore.
Registrations to all Non-EU sub-groups have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a decrease in registrations across all Non-EU sub-groups in the twelve months ending March 2021, continuing the decreasing trend seen in the twelve months ending December 2020.
Across the whole time series, which starts in 2002:
-
registrations from European countries not a part of the EU (Other Europe) have remained relatively low and stable from the start of the time series to the twelve months ending December 2018 and have declined since June 2020. Registrations from Other Europe have increased above those from Oceania since the end of December 2017
-
registrations from Asia generally increased until they peaked in the twelve months ending December 2010 (with 220,000 registrations that accounted for 64% of Non-EU registrations), and declined until the twelve months ending June 2014. Registrations from Asia were stable from the twelve months ending September 2015 until the twelve months ending December 2018. They then increased until the twelve months ending March 2020 and have since declined
-
registrations from Africa generally decreased from the peak in the twelve months ending March 2006 (with 74,000 registrations that accounted for 26% of Non-EU registrations) until the twelve months ending June 2014. Registrations from Africa were stable from the twelve months ending December 2015, until the twelve months ending December 2018. They then increased until the twelve months ending March 2020 and have since declined
-
registrations from the Americas turbulently increased from the twelve months ending December 2002 until they peaked in the twelve months ending March 2009 (with 36,000 registrations that accounted for 12% of Non-EU registrations), and then declined until the twelve months ending June 2014. Registrations from the Americas were stable from the twelve months ending December 2015, until the twelve months ending September 2018, followed by an increase until the twelve months ending September 2019 and have been decreasing since
-
registrations from Oceania peaked in December 2007 (with 35,000 registrations that accounted for 11% of Non-EU registrations), and have since fluctuated but generally declined
Overall, across the time series, nationals from Asia have always been the largest contributor of Non-EU registrations, followed by Africa. Amongst the other world areas, there has been more variation across the time series, but on average, the Americas have had the third highest number of registrations, followed by Oceania, then Other Europe.
The noticeable increase in registrations to Non-EU nationals after September 2018 until the beginning of 2020, is mostly due to registration for a NINo of adult dependants as part of certain visa approvals.
NINo registrations by Non-EU world areas in the twelve months ending March 2021, change from previous year and annual percentage change
| Non-EU world area | Registrations to March 2020 | Registrations to March 2021 | Change from previous year | Annual Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Europe | 31,000 | 12,000 | -19,000 | -60% |
| Asia | 190,000 | 100,000 | -90,000 | -47% |
| Africa | 56,000 | 31,000 | -25,000 | -45% |
| Americas | 35,000 | 14,000 | -21,000 | -60% |
| Oceania | 15,000 | 3,500 | -12,000 | -77% |
| Total Non-EU | 330,000 | 160,000 | -170,000 | -51% |
Source: Stat-Xplore.
NINo registrations by Non-EU sub-group in the twelve months ending March 2021, change from previous year and annual percentage change
| Non-EU sub-group | Registrations to March 2020 | Registrations to March 2021 | Change from previous year | Annual Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Europe | 31,000 | 12,000 | -19,000 | -60% |
| Middle East and Central Asia | 23,000 | 10,000 | -13,000 | -57% |
| East Asia | 24,000 | 8,500 | -15,000 | -64% |
| South Asia | 120,000 | 71,000 | -51,000 | -42% |
| South East Asia | 20,000 | 9,800 | -9,900 | -50% |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | 44,000 | 25,000 | -20,000 | -44% |
| North Africa | 11,000 | 6,000 | -5,400 | -47% |
| North America | 19,000 | 7,400 | -11,000 | -60% |
| Central and South America | 16,000 | 6,500 | -9,900 | -60% |
| Oceania | 15,000 | 3,500 | -12,000 | -77% |
| Total Non-EU | 330,000 | 160,000 | -170,000 | -51% |
Source: Stat-Xplore.
In the twelve months ending March 2021, there were 160,000 NINo registrations by Non-EU nationals, a 51% decrease (170,000 less registrations) when compared with the 330,000 registrations in the twelve months ending March 2020. Of which:
-
12,000 registrations were to nationals from Other Europe, a decrease of 60% since the twelve months ending March 2020. Other European registrations in the twelve months ending March 2021 account for 8% of Non-EU registrations, compared to 10% in the twelve months ending March 2020
-
100,000 registrations were to nationals from Asia, a decrease of 47% since the twelve months ending March 2020. Registrations from Asia now account for 62% of Non-EU registrations compared to 58% in the twelve months ending March 2020
-
In the twelve months ending March 2021, registrations to nationals from East Asia (8,500) were the lowest they have been in a full year since the start of the time series
-
31,000 registrations were to nationals from Africa, a decrease of 45% since the twelve months ending March 2020. Registrations from Africa now account for 19% of Non-EU registrations compared to 17% in the twelve months ending March 2020
-
14,000 registrations were to nationals from the Americas. This is a decrease of 60% since the twelve months ending March 2020. Registrations to the Americas in the twelve months ending March 2021, are the lowest number of registrations recorded over a twelve-month period since the beginning of the time series. Registrations from the Americas now account for 9% of Non-EU registrations compared with 11% in the twelve months ending March 2020
-
In the twelve months ending March 2021, registrations to both North America (7,400) and Central and South America (6,500) were the lowest recorded in a full year since the time series began
-
3,500 registrations were to nationals from Oceania, a decrease of 77% since the twelve months ending March 2020. Oceanian registrations now account for 2% of Non-EU registrations compared with 5% in the twelve months ending March 2020. Registrations to Oceanian nationals in the twelve months ending March 2021, were the lowest they have ever been in a full year since the start of the time series
-
In the twelve months ending March 2021, the total number of NINo registrations to Non-EU nationals experienced the largest year on year decrease for the whole annual time series. The same was experienced by all Non-EU subgroups during this period, apart from South Asia, for which the largest annual decrease was seen in the twelve-month period ending September 2012
-
The largest number of NINo registrations to Non-EU nationals were to nationals from India (52,000), followed by nationals from Pakistan (12,000), Nigeria (11,000), Philippines (5,600) and the United States (5,500)
Top 5 Non-EU individual nationalities, by number of registrations in the twelve months ending March 2021 and annual percentage change
| Non-EU Country | Registrations to the twelve months ending March 2021 | Annual Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|
| India | 52,000 | -41% |
| Pakistan | 12,000 | -46% |
| Nigeria | 11,000 | -23% |
| Philippines | 5,600 | -34% |
| United States | 5,500 | -59% |
Source: Stat-Xplore.
In the twelve months ending March 2021, registrations to Non-EU nationals decreased by 51% from the previous year. The decrease was the result of decreases across all Non-EU world areas, with Asia having the largest decrease in the number of registrations.
The five Non-EU countries with the largest decrease in registrations from the twelve months ending March 2020 to the twelve months ending March 2021, were India (decreased by 36,000), Pakistan (decreased by 10,000), China (decreased by 9,600), Australia (decreased by 8,100) and the United States (decreased by 8,000). The decrease in registrations by nationals from India, Pakistan and China, accounted for 62% of the overall decrease in registrations by nationals from Asia. The decrease in registrations by nationals from the United States, accounted for 38% of the overall decrease in registrations by nationals from the Americas. The decrease in registrations by nationals from Australia accounted for 70% of the overall decrease in registrations by nationals from Oceania. The decrease in registrations from nationals from Nigeria, South Africa and Ghana accounted for 44% of the overall decrease in registrations by nationals from Africa. The decrease in registrations from nationals from Turkey and Albania accounted for 48% of the decrease in registrations by nationals from Other Europe.
Non-EU individual nationalities with the largest decrease in registrations in the twelve months ending March 2021, change from previous year and annual percentage change
| Non-EU Country | Registrations to March 2020 | Registrations to March 2021 | Change from previous year | Annual Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 88,000 | 52,000 | -36,000 | -41% |
| Pakistan | 22,000 | 12,000 | -10,000 | -46% |
| China | 14,000 | 4,800 | -9,600 | -67% |
| Australia | 11,000 | 2,700 | -8,100 | -75% |
| United States | 14,000 | 5,500 | -8,000 | -59% |
Source: Stat-Xplore.
6.2 Recent changes in Non-EU Registrations
In Q1 2021, total Non-EU registrations decreased by 52% from Q1 2020, but decreased by 31% since the last quarter (Q4 2020). In Q1 2021, registrations from all Non-EU sub-groups decreased when compared with Q1 2020. Registrations from all Non-EU sub-groups, except for Middle East and Central Asia and Central and South America, also decreased when compared with the previous quarter.
Source: Stat-Xplore.
NINo registrations by Non-EU world areas in Q1 2021, compared with Q1 2020
| Non-EU world area | Registrations Q1 2020 | Registrations Q1 2021 | Change from Q1 2020 | Percentage Change from Q1 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Europe | 7,700 | 3,500 | -4,300 | -55% |
| Asia | 53,000 | 25,000 | -28,000 | -53% |
| Africa | 15,000 | 8,800 | -6,100 | -41% |
| Americas | 8,000 | 3,800 | -4,200 | -52% |
| Oceania | 3,000 | 500 | -2,500 | -83% |
| Total Non-EU | 87,000 | 42,000 | -45,000 | -52% |
Source: Stat-Xplore.
NINo registrations by Non-EU sub-group in Q1 2021, compared with Q1 2020
| Non-EU sub-group | Registrations Q1 2020 | Registrations Q1 2021 | Change from Q1 2020 | Percentage Change from Q1 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other Europe | 7,700 | 3,500 | -4,300 | -55% |
| Middle East and Central Asia | 5,800 | 3,300 | -2,400 | -42% |
| East Asia | 5,500 | 1,700 | -3,700 | -68% |
| South Asia | 37,000 | 17,000 | -20,000 | -54% |
| South East Asia | 4,800 | 2,900 | -2,000 | -41% |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | 12,000 | 7,100 | -4,800 | -40% |
| North Africa | 3,000 | 1,700 | -1,300 | -43% |
| North America | 4,100 | 1,700 | -2,500 | -60% |
| Central and South America | 3,900 | 2,100 | -1,700 | -45% |
| Oceania | 3,000 | 500 | -2,500 | -83% |
| Total Non-EU | 87,000 | 42,000 | -45,000 | -52% |
Source: Stat-Xplore.
In Q1 2021, there were 42,000 NINo registrations by Non-EU nationals.
Compared with the same quarter a year ago, in Q1 2021:
-
registrations to Other European nationals decreased by 55% to 3,500 registrations
-
registrations to Asian nationals decreased by 53% to 25,000 registrations
-
registrations to African nationals decreased by 41% to 8,800 registrations
-
registrations to nationals from the Americas decreased by 52% to 3,800 registrations
-
registrations to Oceanian nationals decreased by 83% to 500 registrations, the lowest number of Oceanian registrations in a quarter since the start of the time series
-
registrations to nationals from Other Europe, East Asia, North Africa and North America had the largest decrease between Q1 of consecutive years since the start of the time series
-
South Asia had the largest decrease in registrations between Q1 2020 and Q1 2021, yet it is the Non-EU subgroup with the largest number of registrations (17,000), accounting for 41% of all Non-EU registrations in Q1 2021
Top 5 Non-EU individual nationalities by number of registrations in Q1 2021 and percentage change from Q1 2020
| Non-EU Country | Registrations in Q1 2021 | Percentage Change from Q1 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| India | 12,000 | -57% |
| Nigeria | 3,200 | -23% |
| Pakistan | 3,100 | -48% |
| Philippines | 2,100 | -4% |
| Bangladesh | 1,500 | -21% |
Source: Stat-Xplore.
The largest number of registrations in Q1 2021 were to nationals from India (12,000), followed by nationals from Nigeria (3,200), Pakistan (3,100), Philippines (2,100) and Bangladesh (1,500).
In Q1 2021, the total number of registrations by Non-EU nationals decreased by 52% from Q1 2020. This change was the result of the decrease in registrations from nationals from all world areas, particularly from Asia.
Countries which had the largest decrease in registrations, between Q1 2020 and Q1 2021, were not from any one specific world area, and were countries which have previously had large numbers of registrations. Between Q1 2020 and Q1 2021, the decreases in registrations from India, Pakistan and China accounted for 74% of the decrease in registrations from Asia. The decrease in registrations from Australia accounted for 72% of the decrease in registrations from Oceania. The decrease in registrations from Turkey accounted for 39% of the decrease in registrations from Other Europe.
Non-EU individual nationalities with the largest decrease in registrations in Q1 2021, change in registrations and percentage change from Q1 2020
| Non-EU Country | Registrations Q1 2020 | Registrations Q1 2021 | Change from Q1 2020 | Percentage Change from Q1 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 27,000 | 12,000 | -16,000 | -57% |
| Pakistan | 5,900 | 3,100 | -2,800 | -48% |
| China | 3,300 | 890 | -2,400 | -73% |
| Australia | 2,200 | 410 | -1,800 | -81% |
| Turkey | 2,500 | 840 | -1,700 | -67% |
Source: Stat-Xplore.
7. Where in the UK are people registering?
Almost half (44%) of all known UK registrations, in the twelve months ending March 2021, were in London or the South East.
All regions saw a year on year decrease in registrations.
In the twelve months ending March 2021, registrations to London, the South East, the South West, Scotland, and the East of England were the lowest they have been during the whole times series. Registrations to the North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, the West Midlands, Wales, and Northern Ireland are the lowest they have been since the twelve months ending December 2002. Registrations to the North West are the lowest they have been since the twelve months ending September 2003. In the twelve months ending March 2021, the East Midlands had the lowest registrations in a full year since the twelve months ending December 2003.
London experienced the largest decrease in registrations between the twelve months ending March 2020 and twelve months ending March 2021, with a decrease of 200,000 registrations. Northern Ireland experienced the smallest decrease in registrations, with a decrease of 6,500 registrations from March 2020. In the twelve months ending March 2021, registrations to London accounted for 33% of all registrations, the lowest they have accounted for during the whole time series.
In the twelve months ending March 2021, all regions, except Northern Ireland, experienced the largest year on year decrease in registrations since the beginning of the time series.
EU and Non-EU NINo registrations in the twelve months ending March 2021, by region
| Region | Non-EU registrations to March 2021 | EU registrations to March 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| London | 52,000 | 25,000 |
| South East | 17,000 | 7,600 |
| North West | 16,000 | 7,400 |
| West Midlands | 15,000 | 6,300 |
| East of England | 12,000 | 6,600 |
| East Midlands | 9,700 | 5,400 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 9,200 | 4,200 |
| Scotland | 8,700 | 3,300 |
| South West | 6,700 | 3,400 |
| North East | 4,400 | 1,100 |
| Wales | 4,000 | 1,200 |
| Northern Ireland | 1,500 | 830 |
Source: Stat-Xplore.
In the twelve months ending March 2021, there were 88,000 more registrations to Non-EU nationals than EU nationals. The distribution of NINo registrations to Local Authorities differed between EU and Non-EU world areas.
Source: Stat-Xplore.
In the twelve months ending March 2021, the number of registrations to Non-EU Nationals outnumbered registrations to EU nationals. This difference was seen across most Local Authorities, including all top ten Local Authorities with the largest overall number of registrations. It is important to acknowledge that registrations to Non-EU nationals have been less severely impacted by disruptions to NINo services than registrations to EU nationals.
Please note that the interactive version of the local authority map (updated annually with every May release), showing NINo registrations from different world areas by GB Local Authority, has not been updated since May 2019, due to a change in work environments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Top 10 Local Authorities by number of NINo registrations in the twelve months ending March 2021
| Local Authorities | Registrations to March 2021 |
|---|---|
| Newham | 7,000 |
| Birmingham | 6,600 |
| Manchester | 5,500 |
| Tower Hamlets | 5,100 |
| Brent | 4,600 |
| Glasgow City | 4,100 |
| Leicester | 4,000 |
| Ealing | 4,000 |
| Hounslow | 3,500 |
| Westminster | 3,300 |
Source: Stat-Xplore.
8. About these statistics
National Statistics Status
The UK Statistics Authority re-designated these statistics as National Statistics, at November 2020, in accordance with the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007 and signifying compliance with the Code of Practice for Statistics.
National Statistics status means that our statistics meet the highest standards of:
- trustworthiness
- quality
- public value
Once statistics have been designated as National Statistics it is our responsibility to maintain compliance with these standards.
World Areas
For reporting purposes, countries have been grouped into ‘world areas’ based primarily on geographical location. Countries are grouped according to current world area status for the entire back series.
| World Area | Sub-Group |
|---|---|
| European Union (EU) | European Union EU15 (original EU members), European Union EU8 (joined EU in 2004), European Union EU2 (joined EU in 2007), European Union Other |
| Non-European Union (Other Europe) | Other Europe |
| Asia | Middle East and Central Asia, East Asia, South Asia, South East Asia |
| Africa | Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa |
| Americas | North America, Central and South America |
| Oceania | Oceania |
A detailed nationality breakdown for each world area is available in the supplementary data tables accompanying this release.
Where to find out more
Read previous releases of these statistics.
Read further information for this series, including detail on data sources, uses, quality and limitations of the series.
Full statistics on NINo allocations to adult overseas nationals entering the UK are available from Stat-Xplore.
Please note that the interactive map (updated annually with every May release), showing NINo registrations from different world areas by GB Local Authority, has not been updated since May 2019, due to a change in work environments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read about the NINo application process.
9. User engagement
Enquires and feedback
DWP would like to hear your views on our statistical publications. If you use any of our statistics publications, we would be interested in hearing what you use them for and how well they meet your requirements: Send your comments by email to: stats-consultation@dwp.gov.uk.
Press enquiries should be directed to the DWP Press Office, telephone: 0203 267 5144.
Enquiries about these statistics should be directed by email to:
Producer of this release: harry.phasey@dwp.gov.uk
Lead statistician: dominique.radcliffe@dwp.gov.uk
ISBN: 978-1-78659-325-2