Residency
Population projections show the importance of immigration to the Isle of Man. The present structure is such that without an influx of new residents there would been a decline in the overall population by the year 2000. Official policy is to target areas in which growth is required whilst carefully monitoring and ensuring it is compatible with the Manx community. This policy is vital for reasons other than just prevention of a net population decline.
Unprecedented expansion of the finance sector in recent years has created many more jobs than could possibly be supplied by the existing market. School and college leavers coming into the career market are also quickly absorbed by the growing industrial sector. The resulting need for professional and skilled people from outside the Island is therefore likely to continue for the foreseeable future.