Population of UK 2024
UK Population 2024
United Kingdom (U.K.) has population of over 66 million which is ranking 22rd most populous country in the world. The population makeup of UK is: England (84.25), Scotland (8.2%), Wales (4.7%), and Northern Ireland (2.8%). White British is the predominant race in UK. United Kingdom is also the 7thmost densely populated country in the Europe.
In terms of population distribution, almost one-third of the population lives in England’s southeast, which is predominantly urban and suburban. London is the capital city of UK, with population over 8 million, the population density of which is just over 5,200 per square kilometer.
Based on our research, UK population will reach 69.196 million by the end of 2024. The calculation is based on the average growth rate of 0.69% over last 12 years since 2011. We believe using the recent years’ figures (see the table below) will make the estimation more accurate.
Population Growth of UK
The following table shows UK is enjoying healthy and consistent population growth over last 12 years range from 0.62% to 0.80% adding 0.41 million to 0.52 million people to the overall population. The reasons behind the growth are: growth of birth rate, longer life expectancy and growth of immigrants.
| Year | Population (Million) | Growth Rate |
| 2011 | 63.26 | n/a |
| 2012 | 63.70 | 0.70% |
| 2013 | 64.13 | 0.68% |
| 2014 | 64.61 | 0.75% |
| 2015 | 65.13 | 0.80% |
| 2016 | 65.64 | 0.78% |
| 2017 | 66.05 | 0.62% |
| 2018 | 66.53 | 0.73% |
| 2019 | 67.01 | 0.72% |
| 2020 | 67.43 | 0.63% |
| 2021 | 67.85 | 0.62% |
| 2022 | 68.28 | 0.63% |
| 2023 | 68.72 | 0.64% |
During pre-industrial era, United Kingdom experienced high birth and morality rates and slow population growth. During industrial era, UK experienced high birth rate and falling morality, as a result, faster population growth. Since then the growth has slowed down again due to falling birth rate. Last two decades, the growth relied on international migration to UK.
According to Office for National Statistics (ONS), A growing proportion of UK inhabitants are aged at least 65, with the percentage in this age group rising from 14.1% in 1975 to 17.8% in 2015. Over the same period, the proportion of children aged 15 and younger has declined from over 24% to less than 20%.England and Wales have the largest populations ever recorded.On the day of the most recent census, March 21, 2021, there were 59,597,300 people living in England and Wales. This is more than 3.5 million (6.3%) more than in 2011 and represents the largest census population ever recorded.The East of England had the highest population growth in England, increasing by around 8.3%, or 488,000 people. The North East of England saw the smallest increase, increasing by 1.9% or around 50,000 people. Wales’ population increased by 1.4%, or 44,000 people.
It is forecast that a fifth (20.2%) of the population will be aged 65 and over in 2025, rising to a quarter (24.6%) in 2045.
It is projected the population of UK will reach more than 77 million by 2050. By then, it will surpass Germany and France to become the most populous country in Europe.
Population Density of UK
United Kingdom’s population density is 267 people per square kilometer. Comparing with other European countries, UK ranks 7th most densely country in Europe, above Germany, Liechtenstein and Italy.
| Rank | Country | Population Density (/km2) |
| 1 | Monaco | 18,369 |
| 2 | Vatican City | 2,045 |
| 3 | Malta | 1,260 |
| 4 | San Marino | 455 |
| 5 | Netherlands | 393 |
| 6 | Belgium | 337 |
| 7 | United Kingdom | 267 |
| 8 | Germany | 233 |
| 9 | Liechtenstein | 205 |
| 10 | Italy | 192 |
UK Demographics
According to Office for National Statistics, the makeup of ethnic groups are: 87.1% White, 7.0% Asian, 3.0% Black, 2.0% Mixed and 0.9% others.
The religious makeup of UK religious are: 59.5% Christian, 25.7% Irreligious, 4.4% Muslim, 1.3% Hindu, 0.4% Jewish, 1.5% other religions and 7.2% unknown.
English is the official language of United Kingdom and is spoken by the vast majority of the population (95%). The most commonly spoken regional languages are: Scots, Ulster-Scots, Welsh, Cornish, Irish and Scottish Gaelic. Spanish and French are two major spoken languages other than English in UK.
UK population today is much older and has a more balanced sex structure. The median age in mid-2016 suggested by Office for National Statistics was 40 years, and more than 16% of the population was aged 65 and over. In 2015, it was estimated to be over half a million people aged 90 and over living in the UK.
The sex ratio at birth in UK is: 1.05 male(s)/female. Over last decades life expectancy in UK has steadily increased. These increases are due to declining death rates at all ages reflecting improving living conditions. In 2016, females’ life expectancy is 83.1 years and for male it is 79.4 years. Today, a 65-year-old man can expect to live for 18.5 more years, while a woman would typically have 20.9 more years left in her. After 2016, average UK life expectancy is greater than 81 years. UK life expectancy is ranking amongst the highest in the world.
Countries of the United Kingdom by Population
The United Kingdom comprises four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
England – England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom with population close to 54 million, which accounts for 84% of the UK population. Not only England is the biggest country by population in UK, it is 25th largest country in the world by population if it is independent from UK and the fifth largest in Europe…. Read more about England population 2024.
Scotland – Scotland is part of the United Kingdom and it is located at the northern third of the island of Great Britain with population over 5.4 million. The capital of Scotland is Edinburgh, which is the second largest country in the country. Based on our research, Scotland population will reach 5.47 million by 1st July of 2019…Read more about Scotland population 2024.
Wales – Wales is a country that is a part of the countries in the United Kingdom with population over 3.1 million. It shares border with England at the east. The north and west borders the Irish sea and the south of the country borders the Bristol channel. Presently, Wales is referred to as one of the Celtic countries…Read more about Wales population 2024.
Northern Ireland – Based on our research, Northern Ireland population will reach 1,897,893 by 1st July of 2019. We use first day of July each year due to Office for National Statistics (ONS) normally publishes the estimated population data for the same period. The calculation is based on the average growth rate of 0.60% over last 7 years since 2011. … Read more about Northern Ireland population 2024.
Most Populated Cities in UK
The top 5 most populated cities in United Kingdom are as follows:
London – Counted among the world’s largest monetary centres, London is the most populated city of both the United Kingdom and England. Located in the south-east peninsula of Great Britain, London incorporates a population of about 8.788 million, making it the largest city of the UK… Read more about London Population 2024.
Birmingham – Maintaining the status of Metropolitan borough, City of a thousand trades, Birmingham is located in the West Midlands, England. The city is thought to be the second most prominent city of UK after London. Birmingham has a total population of over 1.2 million… Read more about Birmingham Population 2024.
Leeds – After Birmingham, the most populated city of UK is a metropolitan borough, namely the Leeds. Situated in the West Yorkshire of England, the city holds a populace of over 800,000 individuals. The metropolitan is ranked as the largest economic centre of the UK, after London… Read more about Leeds Population 2024.
Glasgow – Based on our research, Glasgow population will reach 611,748 by 1st July of 2019. We use first day of July each year due to Office for National Statistics (ONS) normally publishes the estimated population data for the same period. The calculation is based on the average growth rate of 0.28% over last 8 years since 2011 … Read more about Glasgow Population 2024.
Sheffield – Sustaining the status of a city and a metropolitan borough, Sheffield is among the top 10 most populous cities of UK, with a population of 576,000. Sheffield is located in the South Yorkshire, England. Sheffield has gained the nickname of Steel City for its developmental innovations towards production of steel including the stainless steel, which has contributed varied prominent developments in industries… Read more about Sheffield Population 2024.
Facts about UK
- London is one of only two cities above the 50th parallel with a population of more than five million. Moscow is the other.
- The United Kingdom recently named chicken tikka masala as its national dish, which is a spicy curry created in Britain and is unheard of in India itself.
- Big Ben does not refer to the famous clock, but actually to the bell.
- It is illegal to import haggis from the UK into the U.S., as the American government has declared that sheep lungs are unfit for human consumption.
- The Queen of the UK is the legal owner of one-sixth of the Earth’s land surface.
- In the UK, if you reach your 100th birthday, you get a personalized card from the Queen.
- In the U.K., it is legal for kids over 5 years old to drink alcohol at home or on other private premises.
- In the UK, accents change noticeably about every 25 miles (40km).
- Average male height is 178 cm while average female height is 164.3 cm.