In 2022/23, the Open University, which focuses on remote learning, had approximately ******* students enrolled on courses, the highest in the UK during that academic year. After the Open University, University College London had the highest number of students in the UK, at ******, while the University of Manchester had the second-highest, at ******. The UK's oldest university, The University of Oxford, had approximately ****** students studying there.

In 2022/23 there were estimated to be over **** million students enrolled in higher education courses in the United Kingdom, which was the highest number of enrolled students during this provided time period. Although the number of students in the UK fell from *** million in 2011/12 to **** by 2014/15, this trend reversed in subsequent years, reaching the peak in the most recent year. Largest UK universities At ******* students, the mainly remote, Open University had the largest number of students enrolled among UK-based higher education institutions in 2022/23. University College London had the second-highest number of students at ******, followed by the University of Manchester at ******. At the UK's two oldest and most prestigious universities, Oxford and Cambridge, there were ******, and ****** students respectively. The university with the most students in Scotland was the University of Glasgow at *******students, with Wales' being Cardiff University at ****** students, and Northern Ireland's Ulster University having ****** students. Student Debt in the UK For students that graduated from English universities in 2024, the average student loan debt incurred over the course of their studies was over ****** British pounds. Although students graduated with less debt from universities in Wales, Northern Ireland, and especially Scotland, this too has been growing recently. In 2024, students from Scottish Universities graduated with an average of ****** pounds of debt, compared with ****** in Wales, and ****** in Northern Ireland. The overall outstanding student loan debt in the UK reached over *** billion pounds in 2023/24, with the vast majority of this debt from students who studied in England.

Students from the Chinese ethnic group had the highest entry rate into higher education in every year from 2006 to 2024.

The University of Cambridge was listed as the best university in the United Kingdom in 2025 with an overall score of 1000, compared with the University of Oxford, which came in second-place with a score of 965.

London was by far the largest urban agglomeration in the United Kingdom in 2023, with an estimated population of 9.65 million people, more than three times as large as Manchester, the UK’s second-biggest urban agglomeration. The agglomerations of Birmingham and Leeds / Bradford had the third and fourth-largest populations respectively, while the biggest city in Scotland, Glasgow, was the fifth largest. Largest cities in Europe Two cities in Europe had larger urban areas than London, with the Russian capital Moscow having a population of almost 12.7 million. The city of Paris, located just over 200 miles away from London, was the second-largest city in Europe, with a population of more than 11.2 million people. Paris was followed by London in terms of population-size, and then by the Spanish cities of Madrid and Barcelona, at 6.75 million and 5.68 million people respectively. Russia's second-biggest city; St. Petersburg had a population of 5.56 million, followed by Rome at 4.3 million, and Berlin at 3.5 million. London’s population growth Throughout the 1980s, the population of London fluctuated from a high of 6.81 million people in 1981 to a low of 6.73 million inhabitants in 1988. During the 1990s, the population of London increased once again, growing from 6.8 million at the start of the decade to 7.15 million by 1999. London's population has continued to grow since the turn of the century, reaching a peak of 8.96 million people in 2019, and is forecast to reach 9.8 million by 2043.

United Kingdom UK: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data was reported at 19.234 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 19.203 % for 2016. United Kingdom UK: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 18.336 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 19.939 % in 1960 and a record low of 17.256 % in 1973. United Kingdom UK: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s UK – Table UK.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population in largest city is the percentage of a country's urban population living in that country's largest metropolitan area.; ; United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects.; Weighted Average;

The UK student accommodation market, valued at approximately £8.52 billion in 2025, is experiencing robust growth, projected to expand at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.45% from 2025 to 2033. Several factors fuel this expansion. Rising university enrollments, particularly among international students seeking higher education in the UK, significantly contribute to the increasing demand for accommodation. Furthermore, a shift towards purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) reflects a preference for modern, amenity-rich living spaces over traditional rented houses or shared flats. This trend is driven by the convenience, safety, and often included services offered by PBSA providers. Competition within the sector is intense, with established players like Unite Group and CRM Students vying for market share alongside newer entrants. The market segmentation reflects diverse needs, with options categorized by accommodation type (Halls of Residence, Rented Houses/Rooms, Private Student Accommodation), location (City Center, Periphery), rent type (Basic Rent, Total Rent), and booking mode (Online, Offline). Geographic variations exist, with London and other major university cities witnessing higher demand and premium pricing. The market faces some challenges. Economic fluctuations can influence student budgets and accommodation choices. Planning regulations and construction costs can impact the supply of new PBSA developments. Competition necessitates continuous improvement in facilities and services to attract students, leading to a need for increased operational efficiencies. The sector must also adapt to evolving student preferences, including sustainable living options and flexible lease terms. The growing popularity of online booking platforms simplifies the accommodation search process, emphasizing the importance of a strong digital presence for providers. Despite these challenges, the long-term outlook for the UK student accommodation market remains positive, driven by consistent student population growth and the ongoing development of modern, high-quality accommodation options. The market’s continued evolution will be shaped by technological advancements, evolving student preferences, and economic conditions, leading to innovation in accommodation offerings and operational strategies. Recent developments include: February 2023: Sunway RE Capital expanded its student accommodation portfolio by acquiring Freehold purpose-built student accommodation, green word court, in Southampton, UK. The facility has 223 beds arranged as 217 non-en suites and 16 studios. The facility is just a few miles from the University of Southampton's Highfield and Bolderwood campuses., March 2022: Unite group sold a portfolio of 11 student accommodation properties with almost 4,500 beds at a price of more than GBP 306 Mn to an affiliate of Loan Star Funds. The disposal was a part of the group's proactive portfolio management strategy, resulting in increased alignment with high and mid-ranked universities delivering the most excellent quality and value to students.. Notable trends are: Students admitted in colleges affecting student accommodation market in UK.

The UK student accommodation market is projected to grow from £8.52 billion in 2025 to £12.62 billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.45% during the forecast period. The growth of the market is attributed to factors such as the increasing number of international students, rising demand for purpose-built student accommodation, and the government's focus on providing affordable housing options for students. The market is dominated by major players such as Unite Group, Student Roost, and Liberty Living, which account for a significant share of the market. Key trends in the market include the growing popularity of co-living spaces, the adoption of smart technology, and the increasing focus on sustainability. Co-living spaces offer students the opportunity to live in shared accommodation with like-minded individuals, while smart technology is being used to improve the overall student experience. Additionally, there is a growing focus on sustainability, with many universities and accommodation providers adopting eco-friendly practices. The market is also segmented by accommodation type, location, and rent type, with the halls of residence being the most popular type of accommodation, city center being the most preferred location, and the total rent being the most common rent type. Recent developments include: February 2023: Sunway RE Capital expanded its student accommodation portfolio by acquiring Freehold purpose-built student accommodation, green word court, in Southampton, UK. The facility has 223 beds arranged as 217 non-en suites and 16 studios. The facility is just a few miles from the University of Southampton's Highfield and Bolderwood campuses., March 2022: Unite group sold a portfolio of 11 student accommodation properties with almost 4,500 beds at a price of more than GBP 306 Mn to an affiliate of Loan Star Funds. The disposal was a part of the group's proactive portfolio management strategy, resulting in increased alignment with high and mid-ranked universities delivering the most excellent quality and value to students.. Key drivers for this market are: Increase in the online travel agencies in Russia, Due to factors including digital trends and technical improvements, the online booking industry is undergoing significant transformation. Potential restraints include: Booking Cancellation. Notable trends are: Students admitted in colleges affecting student accommodation market in UK.

In the 2022/23 academic year, 30 percent of undergraduates obtaining their degree were awarded a degree with first-class honors, the highest possible grade for UK graduates. Almost half of all students achieved an upper second or 2.1, with 20 percent obtaining a lower second or 2.2, and just four percent of graduates obtained a third, the lowest possible pass grade. The share of UK students graduating with a first-class degree has increased significantly in this time period, while the share of students obtaining a 2.2 has fallen the most in the same time period. GCSE and A-Level grades also on the rise Higher grades for the UK's main qualification for high school students, the general certificate of secondary education (GCSE), have also increased recently. In 1988 for example, approximately 8.4 percent of GCSE entries received the highest grade, compared with 21.8 percent in 2024. This is also the case to a lesser-extent for advanced level GCSE results (A-Levels), with the share of entries being awarded an A or A* increasing from 17.8 percent in 2000 to 27.8 percent in 2024. There is no consensus on if these improvements are due to increased ability, or to grade inflation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, grades in the UK were a lot higher than in other years. This was due to teacher and tutor assessments being giving a higher weighting than normal, with exams being postponed or cancelled completely. The UK's top universities Britain's oldest and most famous universities, Cambridge and Oxford, remained the two highest-ranked universities in the UK in 2025, with the London School of Economics finishing third. According to the ranking, the University of St Andrews was the top university outside the south of England, with Durham University being the highest-ranked university in the north of England. The largest university in terms of enrolled students was the mainly remote focused Open University, which had over 140,000 students in 2022/23. Among universities that mainly taught on-campus, University College London had the most students enrolled, at almost 52,000.

There were approximately ******* students enrolled at universities located in Greater Manchester during the 2022/23 academic year in the United Kingdom. Most of these students were studying at either the University of Manchester, which had ****** students enrolled, or the Manchester Metropolitan University, which had ****** students enrolled. Since 2016/17, there has been a net increase of around ****** students in Greater Manchester.

In the 2022/23 academic year, there were ******* enrollments for courses involving business and management studies, making it the most popular subject group in that year. Subjects allied to medicine had ******* enrollments, making it the second-most popular course in that year.

During the 2022/2023 academic year, there were approximately 2.4 million full-time and sandwich students in the United Kingdom (UK), with almost 343,000 occupying provider-maintained property and roughly 191,000 in private-sector halls. The largest share of students, 732,000 occupied other rented accommodation.

The population of the United Kingdom in 2023 was estimated to be approximately 68.3 million in 2023, with almost 9.48 million people living in South East England. London had the next highest population, at over 8.9 million people, followed by the North West England at 7.6 million. With the UK's population generally concentrated in England, most English regions have larger populations than the constituent countries of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, which had populations of 5.5 million, 3.16 million, and 1.92 million respectively. English counties and cities The United Kingdom is a patchwork of various regional units, within England the largest of these are the regions shown here, which show how London, along with the rest of South East England had around 18 million people living there in this year. The next significant regional units in England are the 47 metropolitan and ceremonial counties. After London, the metropolitan counties of the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, and West Yorkshire were the biggest of these counties, due to covering the large urban areas of Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds respectively. Regional divisions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland The smaller countries that comprise the United Kingdom each have different local subdivisions. Within Scotland these are called council areas whereas in Wales the main regional units are called unitary authorities. Scotland's largest Council Area by population is that of Glasgow City at over 622,000, while in Wales, it was the Cardiff Unitary Authority at around 372,000. Northern Ireland, on the other hand, has eleven local government districts, the largest of which is Belfast with a population of around 348,000.

As of 2023, the population density in London was by far the highest number of people per square km in the UK, at *****. Of the other regions and countries which constitute the United Kingdom, North West England was the next most densely populated area at *** people per square kilometer. Scotland, by contrast, is the most sparsely populated country or region in the United Kingdom, with only ** people per square kilometer. Countries, regions, and cities According to the official mid-year population estimate, the population of the United Kingdom was just almost **** million in 2022. Most of the population lived in England, where an estimated **** million people resided, followed by Scotland at **** million, Wales at **** million and finally Northern Ireland at just over *** million. Within England, the South East was the region with the highest population at almost **** million, followed by the London region at around *** million. In terms of urban areas, Greater London is the largest city in the United Kingdom, followed by Greater Manchester and Birmingham in the North West and West Midlands regions of England. London calling London's huge size in relation to other UK cities is also reflected by its economic performance. In 2021, London's GDP was approximately *** billion British pounds, almost a quarter of UK GDP overall. In terms of GDP per capita, Londoners had a GDP per head of ****** pounds, compared with an average of ****** for the country as a whole. Productivity, expressed as by output per hour worked, was also far higher in London than the rest of the country. In 2021, London was around **** percent more productive than the rest of the country, with South East England the only other region where productivity was higher than the national average.

In the 2023/24 academic there were 32,149 schools in the United Kingdom, 601 schools fewer than there were in the 2010/11 academic year. Throughout most of this period, there has been a steady decline in the number of schools, with a slight uptick noticeable after 2019/20, when there were just 32,028 schools. Concrete crisis at UK schools in 2023 Due to its affordability, many schools built in the UK from the 1950s to the 1990s used reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). Although not inherently unsafe, RAAC is a less durable version of standard concrete, and has a typically shorter lifespan. The issue of RAAC in schools suddenly became more urgent in 2018, when a school roof collapsed, confirming fears that RAAC structures weakened over time. Just before schools returned for the 2023/24 academic year, 147 schools in England were confirmed as having issues with RAAC, with 19 of these forced to delay the start of the school year, and a further four opting for fully remote learning. Number of UK pupils falls in 2023/24 After reaching a peak of 10.7 million in the 2022/23 academic year, the number of school pupils in the UK fell to 10.63 million in the following academic year. In the same year, the number of full-time teachers in the UK reached a high of 643,491, up from just 621,718 in the 2017/18 academic year. Although the pupil to teacher ratio at UK schools has overall been quite stable in recent years, there was a surge in the pupil to teacher ratio at nursery schools between 2012/13 and 2018/19, rising from 17.5 teachers per pupil, to 22.9

This statistic shows the distribution of students by nationality at the Imperial College London in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2017/18. Students from the United Kingdom comprised ** percent of the students at Imperial College in this year, the most of any nationality.

In 2011, 87.2 percent of the total population of the United Kingdom were white British. A positive net migration in recent years combined with the resultant international relationships following the wide-reaching former British Empire has contributed to an increasingly diverse population.

Varied ethnic backgrounds

Black British citizens, with African and/or African-Caribbean ancestry, are the largest ethnic minority population, at three percent of the total population. Indian Britons are one of the largest overseas communities of the Indian diaspora and make up 2.3 percent of the total UK population. Pakistani British citizens, who make up almost two percent of the UK population, have one of the highest levels of home ownership in Britain.

Racism in the United Kingdom

Though it has decreased in comparison to the previous century, the UK has seen an increase in racial prejudice during the first decade and a half of this century. Racism and discrimination continues to be part of daily life for Britain’s ethnic minorities, especially in terms of work, housing, and health issues. Moreover, the number of hate crimes motivated by race reported since 2012 has increased, and in 2017/18, there were 3,368 recorded offenses of racially or religiously aggravated assault with injury, almost a thousand more than in 2013/14.

As of the third quarter of 2024, WhatsApp was the most active social network among internet users in the United Kingdom (UK), with 79.9 percent of internet users reporting use of the service. Facebook was very close behind, with a rate of 72.3 percent, followed by Facebook Messenger with 56.6 percent. YouTube’s broad audience in the United Kingdom YouTube reaches a broad audience in the UK, making it an attractive partner for advertisers of almost any product. More than 75 percent of individuals of every income bracket watch YouTube, with the likelihood of watching increasing with the pay-grade. Whether advertising basic items or luxury products, marketers should be able to connect with UK audiences through YouTube. There are almost no people in the UK to not use YouTube at least monthly. According to a survey conducted in the third quarter of 2020, 46 percent of respondents went on YouTube on a daily basis. Facebook in the United Kingdom  Facebook enjoys a healthy market position in the UK, holding an estimated  55 percent share of the market. The service attracted  50.6 million UK users during May 2021, and Facebook UK Limited  generated 1.1 billion British pounds in revenue  during 2019. The UK division of the company  posted an operating profit of 121.9 million British pounds that year. 

In 2023, London had the highest percentage of children aged between 0 and 4 in its overall population, among regions of England and Wales, at *** percent.

In 2023, London had a gross domestic product of over 569 billion British pounds, by far the most of any region of the United Kingdom. The region of South East England which surrounds London had the second-highest GDP in this year, at over 360 billion pounds. North West England, which includes the major cities of Manchester and Liverpool, had the third-largest GDP among UK regions, at almost 250 billion pounds. Levelling Up the UK London’s economic dominance of the UK can clearly be seen when compared to the other regions of the country. In terms of GDP per capita, the gap between London and the rest of the country is striking, standing at over 63,600 pounds per person in the UK capital, compared with just over 37,100 pounds in the rest of the country. To address the economic imbalance, successive UK governments have tried to implement "levelling-up policies", which aim to boost investment and productivity in neglected areas of the country. The success of these programs going forward may depend on their scale, as it will likely take high levels of investment to reverse economic neglect regions have faced in the recent past. Overall UK GDP The gross domestic product for the whole of the United Kingdom amounted to 2.56 trillion British pounds in 2024. During this year, GDP grew by 0.9 percent, following a growth rate of 0.4 percent in 2023. Due to the overall population of the UK growing faster than the economy, however, GDP per capita in the UK fell in both 2023 and 2024. Nevertheless, the UK remains one of the world’s biggest economies, with just five countries (the United States, China, Japan, Germany, and India) having larger economies. It is it likely that several other countries will overtake the UK economy in the coming years, with Indonesia, Brazil, Russia, and Mexico all expected to have larger economies than Britain by 2050.