London continues to be a major draw for international technology workers, according to a report.
The UK capital remains the top choice for both European and global tech professionals looking to live and work outside of their own country, according to data compiled by LinkedIn and Stack Overflow for London & Partners, the Mayor of London’s promotional agency.
Analysis of LinkedIn’s members based in the EU revealed that London was the number one city for European tech talent moving for work, with London welcoming more EU tech workers than any other European city last year.
It was followed by Berlin, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Paris.
London’s thriving tech sector and cultural vibrancy has also helped to attract tech workers from countries outside of Europe, with the data showing that London was the most attractive European tech hub for international tech talent from outside of the EU in 20171.
Paris was second in that list, ahead of Amsterdam, Berlin and Madrid.
Separate research by Stack Overflow, the world’s largest developer community, shows that London is home to more software developers than any other European city, with over 250,000 workers across the capital2.
Based on fresh analysis of Stack Overflow’s 50 million monthly users, London is the top European hub for professional developers, followed by Paris, Madrid and Berlin.
“London is the tech capital of Europe and home to some of the best tech and creative minds from across the world,” said Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
“Global tech companies such as Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google continue to invest in London because of our city’s diverse international tech workforce, and our start-up ecosystem is vibrant and innovative.
“That’s why it’s vital that London’s tech businesses continue to have unrestricted access to the best tech talent from Europe and the rest of the world.
“The best way to do this is for London and the UK to remain part of the Single Market and Customs Union, and I will continue to lobby the government on this in order to protect our status as a global tech hub, while also investing in home-grown talent to ensure that young Londoners share in the benefits of digital growth.”
Joshua Graff, head of LinkedIn UK, added: “Since the Brexit result we’ve regularly analysed our data to help companies understand how it may impact their business as it relates to talent.
“It’s clear that within the technology sector, London remains an incredibly attractive place for people to further their careers, develop new skills and find employment.
“We continue to encourage businesses to speak-up about why it’s so important for companies to continue being able to seamlessly access skilled professionals from around the world. It’s this diversity that helps British businesses thrive.”
Natalia Radcliffe-Brine, regional director at Stack Overflow, said: “London remains a leading destination for global developer talent to build their careers.
“Our data shows that London’s developer community is by far the largest of any European city, offering a major attraction to global enterprises and the innovative start-ups pioneering cutting-edge technologies.”