Over the last ten years, population growth has been rapid, but the rate of growth has been very uneven across England and Wales.
Early census figures from last year have provided a fascinating look into the transformation, with London pushing toward Megacity status and older people gaining ground.
The population of England and Wales has increased by 6.3% since 2011 to 59.6 million, which is less than the 7.8% increase witnessed in the previous ten years.
The largest growth occurred in the East of England, where the population increased by 8.3%, from 5.8 million to 6.3 million.
In ten years, London’s population increased by 7.7%, from 8.2 million to 8.8 million. However, in certain boroughs, such as Tower Hamlets, the rate increased by 22%.
Wales’ growth was likewise somewhat slower, with Ceredigion’s population declining by 5.8% during the time period.
In the meantime, the population’s share of older age groups is growing. 18.6% of the population, up from 16.4% at the previous census, were older over 65.
The census does not explain the rising numbers, but other data indicate that immigration has been a major factor in population expansion since the 1990s.
The net inflow, however, appeared to be further delayed by the epidemic around the time of the Brexit referendum in 2016.
Throughout the 2010s, births were likewise much greater than deaths, but in 2020, Covid caused a decline in the former and an increase in the latter.
The 2021 survey was conducted on March 21 of last year against the backdrop of both the coronavirus pandemic and Brexit, which has resulted in immigration restrictions.
Scotland’s census results won’t be available until next year due to a number of mishaps.
According to the ONS, the combined population of the two countries was 59,597,300, with 56,489,800 people living in England and 3,107,500 in Wales.
According to statistics, with 9.3 million residents, the South East is still England’s most populous region, followed by London (8.8 million), with the North East having the fewest residents (2.6 million).
Wales experienced the slowest population growth of all the English regions, expanding by just 1.4%, or about 44,000 people.
The North East has England’s lowest unemployment rate at 1.9%.
The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic may have had an impact on people’s decision to live where they usually did on census day, according to the ONS.
“These modifications may have been more permanent for some people than for others.”
In the spring of last year, more than 24 million homes in England and Wales responded to census questionnaires, with a record 89% of replies being submitted online.
According to separate data for Northern Ireland released this month, the population on census day reached a record 1,903,100, an increase of 92,200 or 5% since 2011.
According to ONS data, women make up 51% of the population while men make up 49%. That contrasts with 50.8% females and 49.2% males in 2011.
Every 10 years, the UK conducts a census, which offers the most precise estimate of the total population and number of homes in the nation.
Its findings support anything from the estimation of economic growth and unemployment to aiding in the planning of schools, health services, and transportation links. Its results are used by a variety of organizations, including governments, councils, and enterprises.
The ONS said that information from the 2021 census for England and Wales will be released in stages over the next two years.
Future releases will also include data on gender identity, sexual orientation, and veterans of the UK armed forces, as well as statistics on ethnicity, religion, the labor market, education, and housing.
In England, people were only permitted to leave their homes for outdoor recreation and exercise with members of their household or support bubble, or with one person outside of their household, at the time of the census.
The rule-of-six regarding outdoor gatherings did not go into effect until the end of March.