The population of England and Wales has reached an estimated 62 million for the first time, primarily due to international migration. Projections from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicate the population grew by 224,000 to approximately 62.01 million as of June 2025.
In the same period, births numbered around 588,000, nearly matched by just over 568,000 deaths. This marks the lowest number of annual births since 1978, coinciding with fertility rates below the replacement level necessary for a stable population. Net international migration was recorded at 211,700, a significant decrease from 612,500 in the year to mid-2024. During this period, 816,000 people entered the UK, while approximately 605,000 emigrated.
Population growth has surpassed earlier predictions, which anticipated England and Wales not reaching 60 million until 2029. The data highlights a trend toward an aging population, with adults having fewer children while life expectancy increases due to advancements in medicine and living standards.
Aging Population Trends
The number of centenarians across England and Wales rose to approximately 15,172, an increase from 14,635 in 2024 and 12,472 in 2015. Notably, individuals aged 105 or older increased by 34 percent to 709, compared to 529 in the previous year. The ONS also projected 581,400 people aged 90 or over in the past year, up from 564,300 the year before and 500,000 in 2015. Men constitute 34.1 percent of the over-90 population and 18.8 percent of the over-100 population. For every man over 100, there were 4.3 women.
Regional Population Shifts
All regions in England experienced population increases, with the exception of London. The capital's population declined by 0.29 percent, attributed to a rise in residents moving to other parts of the UK. The population of Wales also fell for the first time in a decade.
Nigel Henretty of the ONS stated that migration has been the primary driver of population change in England and Wales for the past 25 years. He noted that the recent decline in migration has resulted in the slowest population growth since the peak of the pandemic. The ONS has made its data available through an interactive tool, allowing individuals to examine population changes in their specific areas based on births, deaths, and migration.