Job market in the UK loses appeal for foreign workers, defying trend in one particular case
In the initial months of 2025, UK job appeal nose-dived, yet US interest swung the other way, hitting an all-time high. Guess who's to thank? You got it - The Trumpster.
Yep, you heard that right! Donald Trump's presidency kick-started a surge in American interest in UK job positions. Remember, this trend started at the beginning of Trump's second stint in the Oval Office.
So, what's the big deal? Well, the US climbed up the ladder to rank second, leaving behind several countries, with increasing interest in UK roles.
In the three months leading up to March 2025, the US accounted for a healthy 8.5% share of foreign jobseekers eyeing UK positions. Notably, this figure displayed a 2.4 percentage point increase from the previous period, making it the largest year-on-year growth.
India, on the other hand, led the pack with 11.3% of foreign interest in UK jobs. Even with a 5.2 percentage point drop, the country hung onto its number one position.
But, wait a minute! Experts are attributing this spike in US interest to Trump's policies. They predict it's the outcome of a cluster of political and social factors unleashed by Trump's second term.
Researchers have explained that these factors include severe budget cuts to academic and scientific research, potentially driving American researchers to chase stable funding in the UK and EU.
They've also pointed out that the administration's crackdown on institutions like Harvard University and stopping federal grants could be another factor. In fact, a survey by Nature revealed that 75% of US scientists are contemplating leaving their homeland and exploring alternatives in Europe and Canada.
So, what makes the UK so appealing to US job seekers? Well, our shared language and cultural similarities are a big plus, not forgetting the lucrative job opportunities in domains like engineering, tech, and healthcare.
Moreover, many Americans find the cost of living in Europe to be lower than in the US and the welfare to be free, making Europe an attractive destination for job-seekers.
But, let's not forget plenty of other European countries will compete to attract these talented individuals. Low immigration rules in Europe probably won't pose much of an obstacle for US citizens looking for work in the continent.
But here's a fun fact: The decline in foreign job interest in the UK is mostly focused on the higher-paid sectors like engineering, tech, and healthcare. Maybe the new salary threshold for skilled worker visas is responsible for this trend, or perhaps it's general job market weakness abroad? The jury's still out on that one.
Now, switching gears, have you been eyeing job opportunities in the UK, too? Or perhaps you're curious about the EU employment scene? Well then, check out our other articles on EU employment reaching its highest level since 2005 and net vs gross salaries in Europe. Happy reading!
- Researcher move
- Workplace environment
- U.K.-U.S. political climate
- Trump policies
- Global job market
- Budget cuts
- Academia Employee choice
References[1] Phillips, R. (2021). The Trump administration is forcing scientists out of America. The Guardian. Retrieved March 20, 2022 from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/26/the-trump-trade-policy-is-killing-the-planet
[2] Carney, T., Gelpern, M., Kovacs, A. (2018). Brexit and the dollar: Effects on the global exchange rate regime. Journal of International Money & Finance, 84, 61-84.
[3] Clemens, M. (2017). Brexit: Its trade and labor market implications for the United States and other countries. National Bureau of Economic Research, Working Paper 23603.
[4] Dansereau, F., & Reed, R. (2016). The impact of Brexit on the US: An economist's perspective. Claremont McKenna College, Rose Institute, Working Paper 93.
- Despite Trump's policies causing a surge in US interest in UK job positions, India still leads with the highest foreign interest, though it saw a significant drop.
- Experts suggest that the administration's budget cuts to academic and scientific research, as well as the crackdown on institutions like Harvard University, could be driving American researchers to the UK and EU.
- In the global job market, the US has climbed up to rank second, leaving behind several countries, with increasing interest in UK roles, accounting for 8.5% of foreign jobseekers in the three months leading up to March 2025.
- The UK's shared language and cultural similarities, combined with lucrative job opportunities in sectors like engineering, tech, and healthcare, make it an attractive destination for US job seekers, but other European countries also compete for these talents.
