Population growth across the UK slowed to its lowest rate in almost 30 years after a big drop-off in net migration, with more than 100 council areas actually shrinking.
The UK's total population reached an estimated 69.5 million people in mid-2025, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). That is an increase of nearly 228,000 people over 12 months - an annual rise of just 0.33%.
Excluding 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic virtually halted cross-border movement, this represents the slowest rate of population growth since 1998.
Sharp slowdown after years of growth
It follows consecutive years of major population growth. In 2024, the population grew by 668,000 people, or 0.97%, which was three times as fast as in 2025. In 2023, it increased by 908,000 (1.34%), and in 2022, by 702,000 (1.05%).
That slowdown was mainly due to a fall in net international migration, which dropped from 652,000 in 2024 to 223,000.
Natural population growth - the difference between births and deaths - contributed little to the overall rise. Last year, 652,400 births were recorded across the UK, the lowest number in more than 40 years. Over the same period, there were 647,500 deaths, meaning that net natural change added just 4,900 to the UK population.
Wales sees population fall
England saw the biggest population growth, by 0.39%, or 227,600 new residents. Scotland saw very little change, with an increase of 2,200 people (0.04%), while Northern Ireland's population increased by just 500 (0.03%).
Wales, meanwhile, saw its first population drop since 2015, losing 2,700 residents (-0.08%).
Of the 361 local authorities across the UK, 257 (71%) saw their populations grow, while 104 (29%) recorded a decline.
Fastest growing and declining areas
The fastest growing areas were Rugby (up by 2.39%, or 2,928 new residents), Mid Suffolk (up by 2.05%, or 2,272), Tewkesbury (up by 2.01%, or 2,045), South Derbyshire (up by 1.94%, or 2,272), and Uttlesford (up by 1.91%, or 1,809).
The areas with the biggest population decline were Camden (down by -1.77%, or -3,900 people), Westminster (down by -1.54%, or -3,327), Lincoln (down by -1.51%, or -1,588), Southwark (down by -1.48%, or -4,692), and Nottingham (down by -1.45%, or -4,796).
