New figures from the Office for National Statistics show Greater Manchester's population grew by 0.60% between mid-2024 and mid-2025, nearly double the UK-wide rate, even as the city of Manchester itself recorded a small net decline.
An estimated 11,814 people moved out of Manchester to other parts of the UK during the period, producing a net fall of around 341 residents, or 0.06%. Possible factors suggested for the outflow include graduates leaving university and residents priced out of the city centre moving to cheaper suburbs.
Rents and regional trends
Recent data analysed by the Manchester Evening News showed the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom flat in the city now stands at £1,003, up 4.2% from the previous year.
The nine other Greater Manchester boroughs each saw population growth of around or just under one percent, well above the national average rise of 0.33% - the UK's slowest rate in nearly 30 years.
National picture
The UK's total population reached an estimated 69.5 million in mid-2025, an increase of nearly 228,000 over 12 months. Excluding 2020, when the pandemic halted cross-border movement, this is the slowest growth rate since 1998, driven mainly by net international migration falling from 652,000 in 2024 to 223,000.
International migration was the biggest driver of Greater Manchester's growth, adding 18,000 people to the region. A natural boost of 6,523 more births than deaths was cancelled out by a net loss of 6,693 people moving away to other parts of the UK.
Borough breakdown
Salford was the fastest-growing borough, adding 3,496 people (1.19%), followed by Rochdale with 2,722 (1.16%), Stockport with 2,695 (0.89%) and Wigan with 2,844 (0.83%).
National figures follow consecutive years of major growth: 668,000 (0.97%) in 2024, 908,000 (1.34%) in 2023 and 702,000 (1.05%) in 2022. Natural change contributed little to the UK rise - 652,400 births, the lowest in more than 40 years, against 647,500 deaths, adding just 4,900 people. Of 361 local authorities, 257 (71%) grew while 104 (29%), including Manchester, declined.
