UK population growth hits record high despite low fertility rate

LONDON, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) — The United Kingdom’s (UK) population reached 68.3 million in mid-2023, setting a new record, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said on Tuesday.
ONS data showed a 1-percent increase, compared to the level in mid-2022, marking the highest population growth rate since the 1970s.
Despite the growth, the UK experienced a negative natural population change of -16,300, with more deaths than births, reflecting the country’s low fertility rate.
The statistics also indicated that this increase was driven primarily by net international migration. In the year ending mid-2023, migration added 677,300 people to the UK population.
Population growth was more pronounced in England and Wales, at 1 percent respectively, compared to 0.8 percent in Scotland and 0.5 percent in Northern Ireland. ■