The UK's population grew by 1% in the last year, largely driven by net international migration, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Between mid-2022 and mid-2023, the combined population of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland increased from approximately 67.6 million to 68.3 million. This growth of 662,400 people represents a 1% rise, marking the largest annual increase in both numerical and percentage terms since comparable records began in 1971.
"Net international migration was the main driver of population growth in all four countries of the UK for the year ending mid-2023," the ONS reported. Net international migration for the period is estimated at 677,300.
The natural change in population—the difference between births and deaths—declined by 16,300. Previous ONS projections had suggested a negative natural change would not happen until the mid-2030s. Aside from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, this is the first instance of negative natural change since 1976.
The ONS noted that these population estimates could be revised in the coming year as efforts continue to improve the data.
England's population was estimated at 57.7 million in mid-2023, while Wales had 3.2 million, Scotland 5.5 million, and Northern Ireland 1.9 million.
Recent migration data also revealed that 1.16 million UK visas were granted for work, study, or family reasons in the year ending June 2024. Additionally, over 75,000 people were granted permission to stay under schemes for refugees or individuals from countries like Ukraine and the former British colony of Hong Kong. During the same period, just over 38,700 people entered the UK via irregular routes, such as small boat crossings.
In January, the ONS projected that the UK's population would reach 70 million within two years. By mid-2036, officials anticipate the population could grow to 73.7 million, driven in part by an estimated net migration of 6.1 million. However, ONS's James Robards emphasized that these projections are uncertain, as they rely on assumptions about migration trends from previous years. Photo by Londoneye at the English-language Wikipedia.