Two-thirds of Britons view Brexit negatively as UK marks 10 years since EU referendum

Ten years after the historic 2016 referendum, a majority of British voters view Brexit negatively, with polls showing up to two-thirds believe it harmed the economy and cost of living. Economists estimate Brexit has reduced UK GDP by 2% to 8%, introducing severe non-tariff barriers that complicate trade with the EU. While net migration from non-EU nations initially spiked to record levels before falling in 2025, public frustration has fueled a growing consensus for closer European ties, including defense cooperation and a potential return to free movement in exchange for trade access.

Brexit economic impact

• ▪The United Kingdom's financial services sector remains Europe's top destination for foreign direct investment, attracting 949 projects between 2015 and 2025
• ▪Economists estimate that leaving the European Union has reduced the United Kingdom's gross domestic product by 2% to 8% compared to what it would have been
• ▪A report by the National Bureau of Economic Research concluded that Brexit reduced United Kingdom business investment by 12% to 13% and productivity by 3% to 4%

UK-EU trade relationship changes

• ▪The German engineering firm Bosch established a dedicated department of nearly a dozen employees in the United Kingdom to handle 10,000 annual import transactions, up from 40 prior to Brexit
• ▪The United Kingdom's trade with the European Union was valued at £856 billion in 2025, representing 41% of British exports and 50% of imports
• ▪Post-Brexit trade rules have introduced non-tariff barriers, including customs paperwork, border certifications, health inspections, and visa restrictions for United Kingdom businesses

Immigration trends post-Brexit

• ▪Net migration to the United Kingdom fell sharply from over 900,000 in 2023 to 171,000 in 2025 following the introduction of new visa policies
• ▪Net migration to the United Kingdom from non-European Union countries rose after Brexit, averaging 550,000 people annually since 2021 and peaking at an all-time high of nearly 950,000 in 2023

Public opinion on Brexit

• ▪A survey by the European Council on Foreign Relations conducted in May 2026 found that 66% of British respondents believe Brexit negatively impacted the cost of living and 65% believe it harmed the economy
• ▪An Ipsos poll found that 52% of people in the United Kingdom support rejoining the European Union, while 33% oppose it and 48% believe Brexit is going worse than expected
• ▪A survey across 15 European Union countries found that 66% of respondents support the United Kingdom rejoining the bloc, with support ranging from 56% in Bulgaria to 75% in Denmark and the Netherlands

UK-EU future cooperation

• ▪United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer has initiated talks with the European Union to reset relations and ease trade friction, though his government has ruled out rejoining the single market
• ▪A European Council on Foreign Relations poll found that 58% of British voters favor closer defense relations with Europe, while only 18% view the United States as an ally
• ▪A European Council on Foreign Relations survey found that 63% of British respondents would accept the reinstatement of freedom of movement with the European Union in exchange for closer trading ties