UK Population to Reach 72.5 Million by 2032, Driven by Immigration
Net migration is expected to account for the majority of the UK's population growth, raising concerns about public service capacity and economic impact.
The UK population is projected to grow to 72.5 million by mid-2032, up from 67.6 million in mid-2022, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
This growth is largely attributed to net migration, which is expected to account for 4.9 million of the increase over the next decade.
Immigration levels have been at record highs in recent years, a factor that is likely to continue to fuel debates on the capacity of public services and the reliance on foreign workers for economic growth.
The projected population increase comes at a time when UK political leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour government, have pledged to reduce immigration.
Immigration has been a central issue in UK politics, notably influencing the Brexit referendum in 2016 and the rise of right-wing parties such as Reform UK.
The ONS projections suggest that births and deaths over the next decade will be similar, with a slight increase in births and a rise in deaths due to the aging population.
The working-age population is expected to grow, contributing to a boost in the UK economy, which, according to the Resolution Foundation think tank, could reduce government borrowing and increase tax revenues.
Net migration has been a key factor, with a long-term level of 340,000 people per year assumed from mid-2028 onwards.
In the year leading up to June 2023, net migration reached over 900,000, driven by new visa rules that have encouraged immigration from countries like India, Nigeria, and Pakistan, particularly to fill vacancies in health and social care sectors.
These changes followed a sharp decline in the number of European Union migrants after Brexit, following tighter visa restrictions for EU nationals.
This growth is largely attributed to net migration, which is expected to account for 4.9 million of the increase over the next decade.
Immigration levels have been at record highs in recent years, a factor that is likely to continue to fuel debates on the capacity of public services and the reliance on foreign workers for economic growth.
The projected population increase comes at a time when UK political leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour government, have pledged to reduce immigration.
Immigration has been a central issue in UK politics, notably influencing the Brexit referendum in 2016 and the rise of right-wing parties such as Reform UK.
The ONS projections suggest that births and deaths over the next decade will be similar, with a slight increase in births and a rise in deaths due to the aging population.
The working-age population is expected to grow, contributing to a boost in the UK economy, which, according to the Resolution Foundation think tank, could reduce government borrowing and increase tax revenues.
Net migration has been a key factor, with a long-term level of 340,000 people per year assumed from mid-2028 onwards.
In the year leading up to June 2023, net migration reached over 900,000, driven by new visa rules that have encouraged immigration from countries like India, Nigeria, and Pakistan, particularly to fill vacancies in health and social care sectors.
These changes followed a sharp decline in the number of European Union migrants after Brexit, following tighter visa restrictions for EU nationals.
