Low-paid migrants are costing taxpayers nearly $200,000 each by the time they reach retirement age in the United Kingdom, as they contribute far less than they receive in government services like healthcare. Losses reach over $650,000 each if they live to 80 years old, and well over $1 million if they live to 100.
The figures come from the United Kingdom’s Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). They state that “average” British-born workers create a net surplus for the state of just under $370,000 by the time they retire. While skilled migrants can provide a boost to the British economy, low-skilled migrant workers account for as much as 60 percent of the total migrant workforce in Britain, according to the watchdog Migration Watch UK.
Notably, the OBR reached these conclusions despite loading the statistics in migrants’ favor, by treating British-born residents’ childhood education and healthcare as a debt but assuming the migrant workers would not have any dependants, such as children, jobless spouses, or elderly relatives.
Low-skilled migration could present the United Kingdom with long-term economic problems if over half of the migrants earn less than the average salary. Debt could expand to 350 percent of GDP by 2074.
The country is also dealing with the costs associated with illegal boat migrant arrivals, which cost millions of dollars daily.
According to another report, released earlier this month, migrants who do not work at all are costing British taxpayers billions per year. Government Office for National Statistics (ONS) data estimates that jobless migrants cost $11.1 billion annually.
When social services, healthcare, transport, and other factors are considered, the amount could rise to over $26.6 billion annually.
