The second-largest growth in population in England and Wales in over 75 years attributed to migration

England and Wales experienced their second largest population increase in over 75 years, primarily due to international migration, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The population boosted by an estimated 700,000 individuals in the year leading up to June 2024, narrowly trailing the surge of 821,210 seen in the preceding year. International migration accounted for almost 98% of the increase, with 1,142,303 immigrants compared to 452,156 emigrants, underscoring the significant role of migration in the population dynamics. Natural population growth, defined as the balance between births and deaths, contributed a modest 29,982 to the overall increase, reflecting a slight excess of births over deaths. The total estimated population of England and Wales as of mid-2024 reached 61.8 million, marking a 1.2% increase from the 61.1 million recorded in the previous year. Nigel Henretty from the ONS noted that while the population has been on an upward trend since 1982, the pace of growth has quickened in recent years, driven predominantly by international migration. The figures also highlight that the UK population surpassed that of France for the first time, standing at 68.3 million in mid-2023, against France’s 68.2 million. ONS projections foresee the UK population hitting 73.7 million by mid-2036, a prediction underpinned by assumptions of a decrease in net migration. Meanwhile, the government has unveiled strategies to curb immigration and expressed concerns over the declining birth rate, which is currently at a historic low of 1.44 children per woman, below the replacement rate of approximately 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population. The cost of living and housing are cited as deterrents for starting a family among younger generations, sparking discussions around supportive measures to encourage family planning among those who choose it.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jul/30/population-migration-england-wales-data