Population Growth Overview
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the UK population growth surged by 1% from mid-2022 to mid-2023, reaching a total of 68.3 million residents. This remarkable growth has been primarily driven by net international migration, which accounted for a significant portion of the increase. The latest data shows an estimated 662,400 individuals have joined the UK population over this year.
Migration vs. Natural Change
The figures reveal that net international migration was responsible for 677,300 of the population growth, whereas natural change, which refers to births minus deaths, notably decreased by 16,300. This marked the first negative natural change since 1976, excluding the exceptional circumstances of the pandemic in 2020. Such data highlights the growing impact of migration on the demographic landscape of the UK.
Future Projections
As of mid-2023, England’s population accounted for 57.7 million, followed by Scotland at 5.5 million, Wales at 3.2 million, and Northern Ireland at 1.9 million. The ONS anticipates continued population growth, with projections suggesting the UK could reach 70 million by 2025. This growth trajectory indicates a strong correlation between migration trends and demographic shifts, emphasizing the need for policies that accommodate these changes as we approach 2036.