The figures show that 353,000 emigrants left the UK in the year ending July 2012; this is higher than the 336,000 who emigrated in the year ending July 2011.
The ONS claims the increase in emigration is mostly due to more people leaving for a definite job. Over 127,000 people left the UK for a definite job in the year ending July 2012, compared to 108,000 the previous year.
Edwina Shanahan, managing director of visa management company VisaFirst said that she has witnessed a rise in people looking overseas for work, as employment opportunities in the UK have decreased.
She said: "The slowdown in growth and continuing lack of employment opportunities in the UK mean an increasing number of people are now looking to countries, such as New Zealand, Australia and Canada in particular.
"These counties are actively looking for UK employees across a range of skill-sets, plus they are prepared to pay competitive salaries for the right person."
