Population in England and Wales rises by most in 75 years
In a significant demographic shift, the population of England and Wales rose by 610,000 to reach 60.9 million in mid-2023, marking the largest annual increase since 1948, according to official data released on Monday. This growth is primarily attributed to record levels of immigration, with net international migration hitting 622,000, a notable rise from 548,500 the previous year.
The Office for National Statistics reported that the natural population growth, defined as the difference between births and deaths, fell to a mere 400, the lowest figure since 1978. Additionally, a net of 13,800 individuals migrated from England and Wales to Scotland or Northern Ireland during the same period.
This population surge follows a historical trend observed in 1948, when a post-World War II baby boom, alongside the return of military personnel, led to a population increase of 1.5 million.
Despite the population growth, economic output has struggled to keep pace. Preliminary figures indicate that gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in 2023 was 0.7% lower than the previous year, raising concerns about the economic implications of rising population numbers.
Total UK population figures stood at approximately 67.6 million in mid-2022, with updated numbers for 2023 pending. The net migration to the UK reached a record high of 764,000 in 2022 but declined by 10% to 685,000 in 2023, remaining more than double the figures seen in 2015, just before the Brexit referendum.
Reducing immigration was a prominent campaign issue during the Brexit referendum, with many Britons advocating for lower immigration levels. Both the previous Conservative government and the current Labour Party under Prime Minister Keir Starmer have expressed intentions to reduce net immigration, aiming to decrease the economy’s reliance on foreign workers.
Post-Brexit visa changes have notably decreased EU migrant numbers, yet new work visa policies have spurred immigration from countries like India, Nigeria, and Pakistan, often to fill critical roles in health and social care sectors.
In a recent policy adjustment, the government tightened rules to prevent low-paid social care workers from bringing dependents to the UK, reflecting ongoing debates about the future of immigration and its impacts on British society and the economy.
