Romanians in the UK achieve highest employment rate among EU migrants

A report by ACORD UK and the University of Bournemouth finds that Romanians (and Bulgarians) have the highest employment and self‑employment rate among EU‑born adults in England and Wales, at 80.4% according to the 2021 census. HMRC data shows Romanian workers paid £2.399 billion in income tax and National Insurance in a single year, a figure that likely under‑states the total fiscal contribution. The study highlights rapid growth in Romanian staff within the NHS, rising from 3,098 in June 2016 to 6,575 in June 2025, placing them fifth among EU nationals in England’s health service. Romanians are also prominent in construction, entrepreneurship and emerging sectors such as robotics, AI, fintech, cyber‑security and renewable energy. Around 80% of Romanian‑born residents are aged 20‑49, positioning them as a young, skilled workforce that supports essential public services and contributes significantly to the UK economy.