UK Population Reaches 69.5 Million as Net Migration Falls to 222,900
The UK population reached an estimated 69.5 million in mid-2025, the Office for National Statistics said on 1 October. It grew by 227,700, or 0.3 percent, in the year to mid-2025, the slowest rate of increase since mid-2020.
Migration Still Drives the Growth
Net international migration was 222,900 in the year to mid-2025, down from 651,700 a year earlier, a fall of 65.8 percent, on our calculation. Immigration fell to 886,200 from 1,296,500, while emigration rose to 663,400 from 644,800. Net migration accounted for about 98 percent of the population increase, on our calculation.
There were 652,400 births, 9,700 fewer than a year earlier and the lowest number for at least 43 years, and 647,500 deaths, 1,600 more. Natural change, the difference between births and deaths, added 4,900 people.
UK population change, year to mid-2025
| Component | Year to mid-2024 | Year to mid-2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration | 1,296,500 | 886,200 |
| Emigration | 644,800 | 663,400 |
| Net international migration | 651,700 | 222,900 |
| Births | 662,100 | 652,400 |
| Deaths | 645,900 | 647,500 |
| Natural change | 16,200 | 4,900 |
Release of 1 October 2026. Births, deaths and natural change for the year to mid-2024 are our calculation from the published changes.
England Grows, Wales Edges Down
England’s population rose 0.4 percent, or 227,600, to 58.8 million. Scotland grew by 2,200 and Northern Ireland by 600, both less than 0.1 percent, while Wales fell by 2,800, or 0.1 percent, to 3.2 million. The statistics office said the small changes for Wales and Scotland may be revised as more complete data become available.
Median age, mid-2025
| Area | Median age, years |
|---|---|
| UK | 40.9 |
| Wales | 43.2 |
| Scotland | 43.1 |
| England and Northern Ireland | 40.6 |
Mid-2025 estimates.
Why it matters: With natural change close to zero and births at their lowest for at least 43 years, UK population growth in the year to mid-2025 came almost entirely from migration, which fell by about two thirds in a year.
Outlook: A provisional UK estimate for mid-2026 is due in November 2026, while the date of the next full release has yet to be announced.
Sources: Office for National Statistics, The Edge.
