Population


Population


In 2005 the population of the United Kingdom was under under 60 million people. 

UK Population 2005

England

84% of the population

50.1 million

Scotland

8% of the population

5.1 million

Wales

5% of the population

2.9 million

Northern Ireland

3% of the population

1.7 million

Total UK

59.8 million

 

The population has grown by 7.7% since 1971, and growth has been faster in  more recent years. Although the general population in the UK has increased in the last 20 years, in some areas such as the North-East and North-West of England there has been a decline.

Both the birth rate and the death rate are falling and as a result the UK now has an ageing population. For instance, there are more people over 60 than children under 16. There is also a record number of people aged 85 and over.