Population Estimates For The UK - Now Over 67 Million - Scotland 5.47 Million

19th August 2021

From The Office for National Statistics.

The population of the UK at mid-year 2020 was estimated to be 67.1 million, an increase of about 284,000 (0.4%) since mid-year 2019.

In the year to mid-2020, there were 669,000 deaths; this is the most in a mid-year reference period since 1986, and 13% higher than in the year to mid-2019, reflecting the impact of wave one of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The number of births in mid-2020 was 701,000, the lowest number of births since 2003 and a continuation of the trend in fewer births seen over recent years.

In the year to mid-2020, we estimate that 622,000 people immigrated to the UK while 375,000 emigrated; this makes net international migration 247,000.

In the year to mid-2020, there were around 11% fewer internal moves than in the previous year, reflecting the impact of the pandemic on mobility from March 2020.

We estimate the population grew in 294 out of the 374 local authorities of the UK in the year to mid-2020, despite the effects of the pandemic and a slowing of national population growth in this period.

The estimates presented cover the period up to 30 June 2020 and so only describe some of the impacts of the early part of the pandemic on the UK population.

Statistician's comment
"The UK's population continues to grow, albeit at the slowest rate in two decades, surpassing 67 million for the first time. However, the 12 months to June 2020 can be broken into two clear parts. The first eight months, when births, deaths and migration patterns were similar to trends seen in recent years, and the four months from March, when the first wave of coronavirus hit. Some of the clearest impacts of the pandemic can be seen in the increase in the number of deaths and reduction in the number of moves made within the UK."

Neil Park, Population Estimates Unit, Office for National Statistics

The UK population at mid-2020
We estimate the population of the UK in mid-2020 was 67.1 million (67,081,234 with a confidence interval of plus or minus 0.2%). We estimate that the population of the UK continued to grow in the year to mid-2020 but at the slowest rate since 2001 (0.4%).

The slowing of the growth rate in this period is largely from the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on mortality. The number of deaths in mid-2020 was around 67,000 higher than the average for the previous five years and at the highest level in the last 34 years (since the year to mid-1986). In addition, the number of births recorded in mid-2020 was the lowest since mid-2003, and around 56,000 fewer than the average for the last five years.

In the year to mid-2020, more international immigrants and fewer international emigrants meant an increase in net international migration compared with the previous year.

Read the detailed report HERE

Is the Scottish population growing?
The figures published in the Mid-2020 Population Estimates report show Scotland's population increased by 2,700 people (0.05% growth), the slowest growth since 2003. The average growth in the previous five years (to June 2019) was higher, at around 23,000 people.

Scotland's population growth slowest since 2003
As of 30 June 2020, Scotland's population was estimated to be 5.47 million, according to statistics published today by National Records of Scotland.

The figures published in the Mid-2020 Population Estimates report show Scotland's population increased by 2,700 people (0.05% growth), the slowest growth since 2003. The average growth in the previous five years (to June 2019) was higher, at around 23,000 people.

Population growth slowed due to more deaths and lower levels of net migration.

There were 63,100 deaths and 48,700 births in the year ending June 2020, which is 14,500 more deaths than births - the largest natural decrease on record. Deaths outnumbered births for the sixth year running.

While net migration was lower than previous years, 16,900 more people moved to Scotland than left in the year to June 2020.

Population change varies across Scotland, with 20 out of 32 council areas experiencing population decline in the last year. The 12 council areas which saw population growth were mainly around the central belt.

Esther Roughsedge, Head of Population and Migration Statistics, said:"In the year to June 2020, Scotland's population only increased very slightly - by 2,700 people - and is now estimated to be 5.47 million as of June 2020.

"A key reason for this small increase is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the last year we have seen a 4% reduction in births and a 12% increase in deaths. Also, the difference between the number of people coming to Scotland and those leaving is smaller than in any of the previous six years."

More Data HERE