Commenting on the latest ONS population estimates
This week, CPC-CG members were invited to comment across TV and radio on the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) population estimates.
The ONS estimates the UK population at mid-2023 as 68.3 million (68,265,209), an increase of 1.0% since mid-2022. The population grew faster in England and in Wales (both 1.0%) than in Scotland (0.8%) or Northern Ireland (0.5%). However, Scotland's 0.8% increase is the biggest jump in one year that Scotland has seen since 1946-47.
Net international migration was the main contributor to population increase for all four countries of the UK in the year to mid-2023. There were 16,300 more deaths than births across the UK in the year to mid-2023; in England and Northern Ireland there were more births than deaths, while Scotland and Wales had more deaths than births. Note that the estimates are subject to further revisions because of continuing development of international migration methods and data sources.
CPC-CG Director Professor Jane Falkingham CBE appeared on Talk TV and Radio discussing the latest figures, and how migration is accounted for in the data.
CPC-CG Co-Director Melinda Mills MBE was on BBC Radio 5 Live discussing the increase in deaths, possible reasons for lower birth rates, the increased migration figures, as well as how the UK's population estimates compare with those of other countries across the world.
CPC-CG member Professor David Bell appeared on STV's Scotland Tonight discussing how Scotland's population has seen its biggest increase in almost 80 years, and how migration is contributing to this increase, particularly in Scottish cities. However, there have been population declines in rural areas with ageing populations.
To view the full release, visit 'Population estimates for the UK, England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland: mid-2023'.
Posted 10/10/2024 12:01
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