UK Population Growth Reaches Record High Despite Low Fertility Rate

The United Kingdom’s population hit 68.3 million in mid-2023, marking a record high, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released on Tuesday.

The ONS reported a 1% increase compared to mid-2022, reflecting the highest growth rate since the 1970s. However, the UK also saw a negative natural population change of -16,300, with more deaths than births, highlighting the impact of its low fertility rate.

The data indicates that the primary driver of this population increase was net international migration, which contributed an additional 677,300 people to the population over the year ending mid-2023.

Population growth was particularly notable in England and Wales, both experiencing a 1% increase, while Scotland and Northern Ireland saw growth rates of 0.8% and 0.5%, respectively.