UK Population Hits 68.3 Million, Driven by Immigration Surge

The UK’s population reached an estimated 68.3 million by mid-2023, marking a record growth of 1.0 percent over the previous year and a total increase of 1.2 million over two years, primarily driven by immigration, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

This rise of 662,400 people in a single year is the largest annual percentage and numerical increase recorded since 1971. The surge has coincided with growing political debates in the UK regarding migration levels, as well as challenges related to housing and public service provisions.

The recent influx of migrants has also added to the pressures faced by the new Labour government, which has been dealing with the country’s most significant civil unrest in a decade, largely attributed to anti-immigrant sentiments.

“Net international migration was the primary factor behind the population increase across all four UK nations during the year leading up to mid-2023,” the ONS reported.

The agency estimated that around 1,185,600 people moved to the UK from abroad, while 508,300 emigrated, resulting in a net migration figure of 677,300 for the period up to mid-2023.

Additionally, for the first time since 1976 (except for the COVID-impacted year of 2020), the UK experienced a negative natural population change, with 16,300 more deaths than births recorded.

Overall, the UK population grew by approximately 1,281,700 people over the two years leading to mid-2023, a number greater than the entire population of Birmingham, the country’s second-largest city.