United Kingdom population growth hits lowest rate since 1998

The United Kingdom's population growth slowed to 0.33% in the year to mid-2025, marking the lowest annual increase since 1998, excluding the 2020 pandemic period. The total population is estimated at 69.5 million.

Net international migration was the primary driver of this growth, accounting for approximately 98% of the total increase. Net migration fell sharply to 222,900, a significant decline from the 651,700 recorded in the previous year. This drop was largely attributed to a decrease in non-EU nationals arriving for work.

Natural change—the difference between births and deaths—contributed only 4,900 people to the population. The number of births in the UK reached its lowest level in over four decades, with 652,400 recorded during the period. Regional trends varied: England saw a small increase, while Wales experienced its first population decline in a decade, and Scotland and Northern Ireland saw almost no growth.