Quick facts
United Kingdom population overview
The United Kingdom is the 3rd most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 69,750,135 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.5% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 993 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 676,576 births (9.7 per 1,000 people) and 676,576 deaths (9.7 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 362,701 people. The infant mortality rate is 3.4 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 52,400,000 in 1960 to 69,487,000 in 2025 — a change of +32.6%, or +0.4% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 40.2 years; life expectancy at birth is 81.8 years; women have on average 1.6 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 17% of residents are under 15 and 19.7% are 65 or older (2025); 83.3% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is London. The United Kingdom covers 243,610 km², giving a population density of about 288 people per km². GDP was $4.00T in 2025 — about $57,602 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
United Kingdom population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 70,039,379 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 69,750,135 |
| World rank | #22 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #3 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 0.8% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.5% |
| Births per year est. | 676,576 |
| Deaths per year est. | 676,576 |
| Net migration per year est. | +362,701 |
| Birth rate | 9.7 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 9.7 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 3.4 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 97.1 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 40.2 years |
| Life expectancy | 81.8 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.6 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 83.3% |
| Surface area 2023 | 243,610 km² |
| Population density | 288 per km² |
| Capital | London |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $4.00T |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $57,602 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
United Kingdom population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 70,039,379 | – | – |
| 2025 | 69,487,000 | +206,000 | +0.3% |
| 2024 | 69,281,000 | +755,000 | +1.1% |
| 2023 | 68,526,000 | +890,000 | +1.3% |
| 2022 | 67,636,000 | +658,000 | +1% |
| 2021 | 66,978,000 | +238,000 | +0.4% |
| 2020 | 66,740,000 | +1,653,000 | +0.5% |
| 2015 | 65,087,000 | +2,320,635 | +0.7% |
| 2010 | 62,766,365 | +2,365,159 | +0.8% |
| 2005 | 60,401,206 | +1,508,692 | +0.5% |
| 2000 | 58,892,514 | +873,484 | +0.3% |
| 1995 | 58,019,030 | +771,444 | +0.3% |
| 1990 | 57,247,586 | +697,318 | +0.2% |
| 1985 | 56,550,268 | +236,052 | +0.1% |
| 1980 | 56,314,216 | +88,416 | +0% |
| 1975 | 56,225,800 | +562,550 | +0.2% |
| 1970 | 55,663,250 | +1,315,200 | +0.5% |
| 1965 | 54,348,050 | +1,948,050 | +0.7% |
| 1960 | 52,400,000 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About United Kingdom
Population over time
- From 52,400,000 in 1960 to 70,039,379 today — up 33.7%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.7% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 81.4 years (2024), up 10.3 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.6 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 9.9 births vs 9.7 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 0.2 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 17% of the population is under 15 and 19.7% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 11.7% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 292.4 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 690.3 Mt in 1973 — down 57.6% since.
- Per person: 4.22 t in 2024, vs 12.1 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 2,069.4 kg of oil equivalent per person (2024), down 42.5% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 12.2% of final energy in 2021 (+11.5 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 13.3% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 11.5% to 13.3% since 1990 — roughly 4,405 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 83.3% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 78.6% in 1960 (+4.8 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 5.8% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 2,144 m³ in 2022, down 21.9% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $4.00T in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 35.9% since 2015.
- That works out to $57,602 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 4.7% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 3.9% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 95.5% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 121.6 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
United Kingdom in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the United Kingdom in 2026?
As of October 2026, the United Kingdom has an estimated population of 70,039,379. The United Nations estimated 69,750,135 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.5% annual growth rate.
Is the population of the United Kingdom growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.5% per year — roughly 993 more people every day. Each year there are about 676,576 births and 676,576 deaths, with net migration of +362,701.
What is the population density of the United Kingdom?
About 288 people per square kilometre: 70,039,379 people living on 243,610 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in the United Kingdom?
The median age is 40.2 years, and life expectancy at birth is 81.8 years. 17% of the population is under 15 and 19.7% is 65 or older (2025).
How does the United Kingdom rank by population?
The United Kingdom is the 22nd most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 3rd in Europe, with 0.8% of the global population.
How has the population of the United Kingdom changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 52,400,000; by 2025 it had grown to 69,487,000 (+32.6%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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KenyaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.5%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.