UK population hit 66million last year after 392,000 rise

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UK population hit 66million last year after immigration helped drive a 392,000 rise in numbers – but growth has slowed down since EU referendum

  • UK population rose by 392,000 to hit 66million last year, official figures show
  • Some 59 per cent of rise was due to immigration and 41 per cent natural factors
  • Growth rate slowed down after the EU referendum and was lowest since 2004 

The UK population hit 66million last year after immigration helped drive a 392,000 rise in numbers, according to figures released today.

But growth has slowed down significantly since the EU referendum – with the 0.6 per cent increase the lowest since 2004.

The expansion in the 12 months to mid-2017 is roughly equivalent to adding a city the size of Coventry.

Some 41 per cent of the increase was down to the birth rate exceeding the death rate, the Office for National Statistics said.

Immigration helped drive a 392,000 rise in numbers in the 12 months to mid-2017, according to official figures released today


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The other 59 per cent was due to net international migration. 

London saw the sharpest slowdown, with the increase slumping from 1.19 per cent in the previous year to 0.63 per cent.

England as a whole saw numbers go up by 0.64 per cent or 351,400, while the level in Scotland and Wales were much lower at 0.37 per cent and 0.39 per cent respectively.   

The figures also set out the bulge in the age of the population as the Baby Boomer generation move into their later years.

Nearly 12million residents were aged 65 or over – 18.2 per cent of total.

How does the 392,00 UK population growth break down?

572,000 immigrants (down 78,000 on the year to mid-2016) 

342,00 emigrants (up 28,000)

762,000 births (down 19,000)

602,000 deaths (up 14,000) 

Neil Park of the ONS said: ‘This is the lowest annual population growth since 2004 due to a fall in net migration, fewer births and more deaths than previously seen. 

‘The effect is most pronounced in London and other areas that have seen high levels of immigration in recent years. 

‘Nevertheless, the population is still growing faster than at any time since the post-war ‘baby boom’ and the expansion of the EU in 2004.’

Immigration was 572,000 in the 12-month period – 78,000 lower than the previous year but in line with the average over the past five years.

The arrivals were also offset by 342,000 who left the country.

Births were also 19,000 lower at 762,000 – while there were more deaths at 602,000. 

In its report, the Office for National Statistics said the EU referendum was likely to be one of the key drivers slowing growth.

The Migration Statistics Quarterly Bulletin for this period noted that: ‘The number of people immigrating for a definite job has remained stable, but there has been a 43 per cent decrease in the number of people immigrating to look for work over the last year, especially for EU citizens. 

‘These changes suggest that Brexit is likely to be a factor in people’s decision to move to or from the UK – but decisions to migrate are complex and other factors are also going to be influencing the figures.’ 

Population growth slowed down significantly after the EU referendum – with the 0.6 per cent increase in the 12 months to mid-2017 the lowest since 2004

 

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