Emigration nation: USA is our dream destination

USA was the most popular destination for Brits looking for a new life abroad last year, according to Royal Mail's international Redirection data.

The country topped the list after Royal Mail analysed more than 20,000¹ international Redirection applications from the last 12 months. Nearly a fifth (17%) of all the redirected mail travelled 4,242 miles to the US, with nearly a sixth travelling 629 miles to France (14%).

This is the second consecutive year that the US, France and Australia have taken the top three spots. Even though the locations remain the most popular, the number of applications actually fell last year - USA by 0.2%, France by 2.3% and Australia by 4.4%. Senegal (0.03%), Andorra (0.02%) and Corsica (0.01%) made their first appearance this year.

Jim Conning, Managing Director of Data Services at Royal Mail, said: 'According to the latest ONS figures, more than 323,000 people left the UK last year² to set up home abroad.

'It is clear that as a nation we are happy to pack our bags and move abroad. Making sure your mail comes with you may be a small part of the to-do list but it can be one of the most important - especially if you want your personal details to arrive safely at your new home.'

Find out more about International Redirections here: https://www.royalmail.com/personal/receiving-mail/redirection

Ends

ISSUED BY

Royal Mail Press Office

0203 338 1007

press.office@royalmail.com

Notes to editors

¹International Redirection applications from 14/06/2015 to 14/6/2016 and 14/6/2016 to 14/6/2017 were analysed.

²Migration Statistics Quarterly Report: Feb 2017 https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/internationalmigration

About Royal Mail plc

Royal Mail plc is the parent company of Royal Mail Group Limited, the leading provider of postal and delivery services in the UK and the UK's designated universal postal service provider. UK Parcels, International and Letters ('UKPIL') comprises the company's UK and international parcels and letters delivery businesses operating under the 'Royal Mail' and 'Parcelforce Worldwide' brands. Through the Royal Mail Core Network, the company delivers a one-price-goes-anywhere service on a range of parcels and letters products. Royal Mail has the capability to deliver to more than 29 million addresses in the UK, six days a week (excluding UK public holidays). Parcelforce Worldwide operates a separate UK network which collects and delivers express parcels. Royal Mail also owns General Logistics Systems (GLS) which operates one of the largest ground-based, deferred parcel delivery networks in Europe.