What migration counts miss

As long as students return home after their studies, they only contribute to net migration during the periods when their numbers increase over time. Otherwise those leaving in any given year equate to those arriving. The sharp upward trend in population since 2001 is caused by permanent immigration, which seeds exponential growth as the immigrants have children. If your Indian student leaves after his studies, I would see his effect as at worst neutral. Otherwise, as a fan of a constant population - better late than never, I wouldn't. Nothing personal. I'm sure he's a lovely chap. And who will look after me when I get old? Don't start me on that Ponzi scheme.