a net population loss of approximately 22,000 people for the city.
More than 80,000 people moved out of Birmingham during 2025, making it the biggest population exodus outside London.
The figures come from Office for National Statistics data tracking people who moved between different parts of England and Wales.
Around 63,000 people also moved into Birmingham during the same period. This resulted in a net population loss of approximately 22,000 people for the city.
The figures only cover people relocating within the UK.
Birmingham recorded the largest number of people moving away among cities outside London.
The figures suggest many residents are choosing locations outside major urban areas.
Some people may have moved to quieter or more expensive areas surrounding Birmingham.
Neighbouring locations such as Solihull, Leamington Spa and Rugby were among the areas attracting residents.
Sandwell recorded the highest number of moves from Birmingham.
The movement could include residents relocating to quieter areas while remaining close to the city.
The wider trend was also seen across other major cities in England and Wales.
ONS figures showed that every major city recorded more people moving out of the UK than moving in during 2025.
Around four million people relocated between different parts of England and Wales during the year.
Only two English regions experienced a net population loss from internal migration. These were London and the West Midlands.
The West Midlands figures highlight a wider shift towards people leaving larger urban centres.
Warwick gained almost 2,000 residents during the period.
Lichfield also gained more than 1,800 new residents.
The figures come as Birmingham remains one of the UK’s most culturally diverse cities.
The city is home to large South Asian communities, alongside residents from many different cultural backgrounds.
Birmingham remains an important centre for employment, education, entertainment and culture across the West Midlands.
However, the latest migration figures suggest some residents are choosing to move outside the city.
Commuter towns and surrounding areas can offer residents a different pace of life while remaining within travelling distance of Birmingham.
The reasons behind individual moves are not recorded in the figures.
People may relocate for employment, housing, family circumstances, lifestyle choices or other personal reasons.
The data therefore does not establish why more than 80,000 people left Birmingham.
It does, however, show the scale of movement from the city during 2025.
With around 63,000 people moving into Birmingham, the city experienced a significant net loss through internal migration.
The figures provide a snapshot of how people are moving across England and Wales.
They also highlight changing population patterns across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.
