When people search for the population of the UK, they are usually curious about one simple thing: how many of us are there? The latest official estimate comes from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which put the UK population at about 69.5 million people on 30 June 2025.
That is a big number, but behind it are ordinary lives: families in busy cities, neighbours in quiet villages, students, workers, and grandparents, all sharing one group of islands. The figure is a provisional estimate built from births, deaths and migration data, so it may be refined as more information arrives.
UK Population 2025: A Slower Pace of Growth
The UK population has been rising for a long time. It has grown every year since mid-1982. The year to mid-2025 shows a calmer picture than the recent past, though. The population rose by an estimated 228,000 people (0.3%), the lowest rate of increase since mid-2020. For comparison, the biggest annual jump in recent decades, 1.3%, came in the year to mid-2023. In other words, the country is still growing, but it is doing so more gently than it did only a couple of years ago.
Most of this growth comes from people moving to the UK rather than from births alone. There were an estimated 653,000 births and 651,000 deaths in the year to mid-2025, so the natural balance was almost level. Migration made up the difference. Net long-term migration was estimated at 204,000, which is noticeably lower than in the previous year.
UK Country Populations: How the Four Nations Compare
The UK is made up of four countries, and each has a very different population size. England is by far the largest. The population of England was about 58.8 million in mid-2025, while Wales was about 3.18 million. Scotland has roughly 5.5 million people, and Northern Ireland has close to 1.9 million. Taken together, these four nations make up the 69.5 million total.
England and the UK Population: Why One Country Shapes the Whole Picture
England is home to the vast majority of UK residents, which is why trends in England so strongly shape national figures. Immigration to England and Wales fell in the year to mid-2025, while emigration rose, and that shift helps explain the slower growth overall. England still grew, but at a rate similar to that seen in mid-2021.
Wales saw something less common: a small population decrease, its first since mid-2015. These small movements remind us that population change is rarely dramatic. It happens gradually, shaped by jobs, housing, family choices and global events.
Looking Ahead
It is natural to wonder what the next few years will bring. If the recent pace of growth continued, the UK could pass the 70 million mark within a couple of years, although migration levels can change quickly, so any forecast should be taken lightly. Ageing is also part of the story.
As people live longer and birth numbers soften, the balance between younger and older residents is slowly shifting, which will matter for healthcare, housing and public services. Numbers like these are not just statistics. They help communities plan schools, hospitals and homes for the people who will need them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of the UK?
The most recent official estimate puts the UK population at about 69.5 million as of mid-2025. It is a provisional ONS figure and may be revised slightly as more data is published.
Is the UK population increasing or declining?
It is still increasing, though more slowly than before. The population grew by 0.3% in the year to mid-2025, the lowest rate since mid-2020. Migration is the main driver, because births and deaths are almost equal.
Is the UK population 70 million?
Not quite yet. At around 69.5 million, it is close. If growth continues at a similar pace, the 70 million mark could be reached in roughly two years, but that depends heavily on future migration.
Is the UK population 80 million?
No. The UK is about 10 million people short of that figure, and official projections do not suggest it will reach 80 million anytime soon. That would take many decades of sustained growth, if it happened at all.
How much of the UK population is Indian?
The most detailed figures come from the 2021 Census of England and Wales, which recorded around 1.9 million people of Indian ethnic origin, roughly 3% of the population there. Indian is the largest single ethnic minority group in the UK. These numbers are from the census and will have shifted somewhat since, so check the ONS website for the latest breakdown.