As of 2024, 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 In 2024, the population of the United Kingdom reached **** million. The majority of people in the UK live in England, which had a population of **** million that year, 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 London at just over *****million. In terms of cities, London is the largest urban agglomeration in the United Kingdom, followed by Manchester, and then Birmingham, although both these cities combined would still have a smaller population than the UK capital. London calling London's huge size in relation to other UK cities is also reflected by its economic performance. In 2023, London's GDP was over ****billion British pounds, around a quarter of UK's overall GDP. 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 2023, 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.

This dataset provides Census 2021 estimates that classify usual residents in England and Wales by population density (number of usual residents per square kilometre). The estimates are as at Census Day, 21 March 2021.

Area type

Census 2021 statistics are published for a number of different geographies. These can be large, for example the whole of England, or small, for example an output area (OA), the lowest level of geography for which statistics are produced.

For higher levels of geography, more detailed statistics can be produced. When a lower level of geography is used, such as output areas (which have a minimum of 100 persons), the statistics produced have less detail. This is to protect the confidentiality of people and ensure that individuals or their characteristics cannot be identified.

Lower Tier Local Authorities

Lower tier local authorities provide a range of local services. In England there are 309 lower tier local authorities. These are made up of non-metropolitan districts (181), unitary authorities (59), metropolitan districts (36) and London boroughs (33, including City of London). In Wales there are 22 local authorities made up of 22 unitary authorities. Of these local authority types, only non-metropolitan districts are not additionally classified as upper tier local authorities.

This graph displays the ratio between the annual average population and the land area of different regions within the United Kingdom (UK) as of 2015. The data shows that in Eastern Inner London there were on average ****** people per square kilometer, whereas in the Highlands and islands of Scotland there was an average of **** people per square kilometer. Information regarding the population density of London and other UK cities can be found here.

National and subnational mid-year population estimates for the UK and its constituent countries by administrative area, age and sex (including components of population change, median age and population density).

Mid-year (30 June) population density of Lower layer Super Output Areas (LSOAs) in England and Wales based on estimates of the usual resident population.

This report was released in September 2010. However, recent demographic data is available on the datastore - you may find other datasets on the Datastore useful such as: GLA Population Projections, National Insurance Number Registrations of Overseas Nationals, Births by Birthplace of Mother, Births and Fertility Rates, Office for National Statistics (ONS) Population Estimates

FOCUSONLONDON2010:POPULATIONANDMIGRATION

London is the United Kingdom’s only city region. Its population of 7.75 million is 12.5 per cent of the UK population living on just 0.6 per cent of the land area. London’s average population density is over 4,900 persons per square kilometre, this is ten times that of the second most densely populated region.

Between 2001 and 2009 London’s population grew by over 430 thousand, more than any other region, accounting for over 16 per cent of the UK increase.

This report discusses in detail the population of London including Population Age Structure, Fertility and Mortality, Internal Migration, International Migration, Population Turnover and Churn, and Demographic Projections.

Population and Migration report is the first release of the Focus on London 2010-12 series. Reports on themes such as Income, Poverty, Labour Market, Skills, Health, and Housing are also available.

REPORT:

Read the full report in PDF format.

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PRESENTATION:

To access an interactive presentation about population changes in London click the link to see it on Prezi.com

DATA:

To access a spreadsheet with all the data from the Population and Migration report click on the image below.

Report data

MAP:

To enter an interactive map showing a number of indicators discussed in the Population and Migration report click on the image below.

Interactive Maps

FACTS:

● Top five boroughs for babies born per 10,000 population in 2008-09:

1. Newham – 244.4
2. Barking and Dagenham – 209.3
3. Hackney – 205.7
4. Waltham Forest – 202.7
5. Greenwich – 196.2

-32. Havering – 116.8

-33. City of London – 47.0

● In 2009, Barnet overtook Croydon as the most populous London borough. Prior to this Croydon had been the largest since 1966

● Population per hectare of land used for Domestic building and gardens is highest in Tower Hamlets

● In 2008-09, natural change (births minus deaths) led to 78,000 more Londoners compared with only 8,000 due to migration. read more about this or click play on the chart below to reveal how regional components of populations change have altered over time.

This graph presents the population density of the ten leading business cities in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2014. London has a significant lead in the ranking as there are 1078 more people per km² than in Bristol. Leeds, at *** people per km², is the least densely populated city on the list.

In 2024, the population of the United Kingdom was around **** million, with approximately **** million women and **** million men. Since 1953, the male population of the UK has grown by around *** million, while the female population has increased by approximately **** million. Throughout this provided time period, the female population of the UK has consistently outnumbered the male population. UK population one of the largest in Europe As of 2024, the population of the United Kingdom was the largest it has ever been, and with growth expected to continue, the forecasted population of the United Kingdom is expected to reach over ** million by the 2030s. Despite the relatively small size of its territory, the UK has one of the largest populations among European countries, slightly larger than France but smaller than Russia and Germany. As of 2024, the population density of the UK was approximately *** people per square kilometer, with London by far the most densely populated area, and Scotland the most sparsely populated. Dominance of London As seen in the data regarding population density, the population of the United Kingdom is not evenly distributed across the country. Within England, London has a population of over **** million, making it significantly bigger than the next largest cities of Birmingham and Manchester. As of 2024, Scotland's largest city, Glasgow had a population of around *** million, with the largest cities in Northern Ireland, and Wales being Belfast and Cardiff, which had populations of around ******* and ******* respectively.

Mid-year (30 June) estimates of the usual resident population for electoral wards in England and Wales. Note: this page is no longer updated. Latest estimates, and all data for mid-2012 onwards, are available on the Nomis website.

In 2024, over nine million people lived in Greater London, making it the most populated ceremonial county in England. The West Midlands Metropolitan County, which contains the large city of Birmingham, was the second-largest county at just over 3.03 million, closely followed by Greater Manchester at three million, and then West Yorkshire with a population of 2.4 million. Kent, Essex, and Hampshire were the three next-largest counties in terms of population, each with just over 1.9 million people. A patchwork of regions England is just one of the four countries that compose the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, with England, Scotland and Wales making up Great Britain. England is therefore not to be confused with Great Britain or the United Kingdom as a whole. Within England, the next subdivisions are the nine regions of England, containing various smaller units such as unitary authorities, metropolitan counties and non-metropolitan districts. The counties in this statistic, however, are based on the ceremonial counties of England as defined by the Lieutenancies Act of 1997. Regions of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland Like England, the other countries of the United Kingdom have their own regional subdivisions, although with some different terminology. Scotland’s subdivisions are council areas, while Wales has unitary authorities, and Northern Ireland has local government districts. As of 2024, the most-populated Scottish council area was Glasgow City, with over 650,000 inhabitants. In Wales, Cardiff had the largest population among its unitary authorities, and in Northern Ireland, Belfast was the local government area with the most people living there.

Lower and Middle Super Output Area populations by single year of age for both current and previous boundaries. Data for previous boundaries has been apportioned by the Greater London Authority. Areas that have merged were calculated using proportions from previous Mid-year population estimates (pre-revision) and applying it to the current estimates. Data downloads: Lower Super Output Areas (LSOA) - current LSOA boundaries (2011) (ZIPPED) 2001-2014 - previous LSOA boundaries (2001) (ZIPPED) 2001-2013 no longer updated Middle Super Output Areas (MSOA) - current MSOA boundaries (2011) 2002-2014 - previous MSOA boundaries (2001) 2001-2013 no longer updated The data is presented by sex and single year of age and also in a custom-age tool. Simply enter the age group required for males and females and the tool will automatically calculate the figure. NB Data for current boundaries includes single year of age data for 85-89, while data for previous boundaries contains single years up to 85+. Land Area and Population Density for MSOA and LSOA (2011) is available for most recent year in a separate file. Download from ONS or new ONS page.

In 2024, Croydon had the largest population among London boroughs at just over 409,340, followed by Barnet at 405,050.

Mid-year (30 June) estimates of the usual resident population for Westminster Parliamentary constituencies in England and Wales. Note: this page is no longer updated. Latest estimates, and all data for mid-2012 onwards, are available on the Nomis website.

The Multiply Programme, announced by the then Chancellor in 2021, was a three-year adult learning programme with an objective to increase functional numeracy levels within the adult population across the UK. The city’s wide skills disparity, combined with its population density, resulted in a total Multiply funding allocation for the GLA of £41m for the programme duration of September 2022 to March 2025, the highest for any area in England. The London Multiply programme was delivered by 56 providers, all of whom were already delivering GLA Adult Skills Fund provision. To increase awareness of, and enrolment in, London Multiply provision, £3.5m of the GLA’s Multiply allocation was reserved for activities to support engagement and growth in the learner population. This included £1.4m for community engagement and outreach, funding an expansion of the Community Outreach Programme to increase its numeracy focus, and the London Multiply Roadshow.

In addition to the ten core interventions for Multiply (both nationally and in London), London Multiply identified additional target groups, including underserved groups and those less likely to engage in adult education. These included:

■ learners for whom English is not their first language;

■ learners with special educational needs and/or disabilities; and

■ low wage earners and those most likely to be impacted by the rising cost of living

The Institute of Employment Studies were commissioned to undertake an evaluation of the London Multiply programme. The evaluation of London Multiply set out to explore the extent to which the programme achieved its aim of improving adult numeracy across the city. It also aimed to strengthen evidence on what works in delivering adult numeracy programmes, particularly for underserved communities. A range of research methods were used to explore the experiences of London Multiply from the viewpoints of different stakeholders, including classroom observations, provider interviews, surveys and focus groups. The report and executive summary sets out the key evaluation findings and provides recommendations to enhance the legacy of London Multiply.

This zip file contains the Standard Area Measurements (SAM) for the 2021 Statistical Areas in England and Wales as at Census Day (21 March 2021). This includes the Output Areas (OA), Lower layer Super Output Areas (LSOA), Middle layer Super Output Areas (MSOA), the Lower-Tier Local Authorities (LTLA) including the Unitary Authorities (E06 and W06), Non-metropolitan Districts (E07), Metropolitan Districts (E08) and London Boroughs (E09), the Upper-Tier Local Authorities (UTLA) including the Unitary Authorities (E06 and W06), Counties (E10), Metropolitan Districts (E08) and London Boroughs (E09), the Regions including the country of Wales, Countries and National. All measurements provided are ‘flat’ as they do not take into account variations in relief e.g. mountains and valleys. Measurements are given in hectares (10,000 square metres) to 2 decimal places and square kilometres to 4 decimal places. Four types of measurements are included: total extent (AREAEHECT), area to mean high water (coastline) (AREACHECT), area of inland water (AREAIHECT) and area to mean high water excluding area of inland water (land area) (AREALHECT). The Eurostat-recommended approach is to use the ‘land area’ measurement to compile population density figures.This V2 is because the user guide name was too long.PLEASE NOTE:There is an extremely small OA with the code E00187556 and measures 400 centimetres squared. This is because all the population and household points are centred around a very small space and to make sure it was in threshold it was manually changed to make it within threshold.Click the Download button to download the files

The degree of urbanization in the United Kingdom amounted to 84.88 percent in 2024. This shows almost a three percentage point increase over the past decade. The upward trend, though slow, has been consistently positive. What is urbanization? The rate of urbanization indicates the shift away from rural living as people come together in densely populated cities. The United Kingdom is much more urban than the worldwide average. This puts people in closer proximity to jobs, health care, stores, and social opportunities, leading to better economic, health, and social outcomes. For example, areas with higher urbanization have a higher average life expectancy at birth. The darker side of urbanization London is the United Kingdom’s largest city and arguably the financial capital of Europe. However, this economic success has led to increasingly high rental prices, which is an indication of the high cost of living in the city. The higher population density can also lead in an increase in crime. London has one of the highest homicide rates in England and Wales. In spite of these drawbacks, London continues to draw millions of overseas tourists every year.

The ward profiles and ward atlas provide a range of demographic and related data for each ward in Greater London. They are designed to provide an overview of the population in these small areas by presenting a range of data on the population, diversity, households, life expectancy, housing, crime, benefits, land use, deprivation, and employment. Indicators included here are population by age and sex, land area, projections, population density, household composition, religion, ethnicity, birth rates (general fertility rate), death rates (standardised mortality ratio), life expectancy, average house prices, properties sold, housing by council tax band, tenure, property size (bedrooms), dwelling build period and type, mortgage and landlord home repossession, employment and economic activity, Incapacity Benefit, Housing Benefit, Household income, Income Support and JobSeekers Allowance claimant rates, dependent children receiving child-tax credits by lone parents and out-of-work families, child poverty, National Insurance Number registration rates for overseas nationals (NINo), GCSE results, A-level / Level 3 results (average point scores), pupil absence, child obesity, crime rates (by type of crime), fires, ambulance call outs, road casualties, happiness and well-being, land use, public transport accessibility (PTALs), access to public greenspace, access to nature, air emissions / quality, car use, bicycle travel, Indices of Deprivation, and election turnout. The Ward Profiles present key summary measures for the most recent year, using both Excel and InstantAtlas mapping software. This is a useful tool for displaying a large amount of data for numerous geographies, in one place. The Ward Atlas presents a more detailed version of the data including trend data and generally includes the raw numbers as opposed to percentages or rates. The Instant Atlas reports use HTML5 technology, which can be used in modern browsers, including on Apple machines, but will not function on older browsers. WARD ATLAS FOR 2014 BOUNDARIES In May 2014, ward boundaries changed in Hackney, Kensington and Chelsea, and Tower Hamlets. This version of the ward atlas gives data for these new wards, as well as retaining data on the unchanged wards in the rest of London for comparison purposes. Data for boroughs has also been included. Very few datasets have been published for the new ward boundaries, so the majority of data contained in this atlas have been modelled using a method of proportion of households from the old boundaries that are located in the new boundaries. Therefore, the data contained in this atlas are indicative only. OTHER SMALL AREA PROFILES Other profiles available include Borough, LSOA and MSOA atlases. Data from these profiles were used to create the Well-being scores tool. *The London boroughs are: City of London, Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Sutton, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth, Westminster. These profiles were created using the most up to date information available at the time of collection (September 2015).

IntroductionEvidence for the effect of neighbourhood food environment (NFE) exposures on diet in the UK is mixed, potentially due to exposure misclassification. This study used the first national COVID-19 lockdown in England as an opportunity to isolate the independent effects of the NFE exposure on food and drink purchasing, and assessed whether these varied by region.MethodsTransaction-level purchasing data for food and drink items for at-home (1,221 households) and out-of-home consumption (171 individuals) were available from the GB Kantar Fast Moving Consumer Goods Panel for London and the North of England. The study period included 23rd March to 10th May 2020 (‘lockdown’), and the same period in 2019 for comparison. NFE exposures included food outlet density and proximity, and NFE composition within a 1 km network buffer around the home. Associations were estimated for both years separately, adjusted for individual and household characteristics, population density and area deprivation. Interaction terms between region and exposures were explored.ResultsThere were no consistent patterns of association between NFE exposures and food and drink purchasing in either time period. In 2019, there was some evidence for a 1.4% decrease in energy purchased from ultra-processed foods for each additional 500 m in the distance to the nearest OOH outlet (IR 0.986, 95% CI 0.977 to 0.995, p = 0.020). In 2020, there was some evidence for a 1.8% reduction in total take-home energy for each additional chain supermarket per km2 in the neighbourhood (IR 0.982, 95% CI 0.969, 0.995, p = 0.045). Region-specific effects were observed in 2019 only.DiscussionFindings suggest that the differences in exposure to the NFE may not explain differences in the patterns or healthiness of grocery purchasing. Observed pre-pandemic region-specific effects allude to the importance of geographical context when designing research and policy. Future research may assess associations for those who relied on their NFE during lockdown.

The early development of markets and fairs is an issue of central significance in economic history and historical geography. The network of legally established markets and fairs in medieval England, almost all of them authorised by royal grant, was dense, highly developed and apparently originated earlier than in much of Europe. The project provides an overview of the development of the market network across England from 1000 to 1500 in order to explore the overall pattern of spatial distribution and its relation to other economic and social factors, for example density of population, wealth, and patterns of settlement.

The already complex marketing network of England was supplemented during the thirteenth century by a great increase in the number of grants of markets and fairs. This project examines the reasons for this increase, taking account of political and institutional factors as well as the economic ones which have dominated discussion in the past. Why these rights were granted, whether the markets and fairs were successful and how they were managed as part of a portfolio of lordly resources are central topics.

Early epidemiology indicated older members of Britain’s Bangladeshi communities were disproportionately affected by COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality. Bangladeshis were more likely to have comorbidities and live in poorer, overcrowded areas in the UK’s urban centres where viral contagion was more likely. This cross-section of socioeconomic, geographical and health related factors underlined the need for clear messaging about social distancing in a complex and shifting risk scenario – messages that this vulnerable group, who speak an oral language (Sylheti), may not have been able to access directly due to low literacy and English language proficiency.

This study identified the practices adopted by Bangladeshis in East London in response to the pandemic, the underlying attitudes and beliefs and whether and how these had been influenced by messages about social distancing. Drawing on our earlier work, it examined the role of social learning in how messages were accessed and interpreted and whether and how the health interactions of this older group were mediated by friends, family members and acquaintances. Remote interviews with older Bangladeshis and their social contacts who performed this mediating role provided insights into how linguistically and culturally appropriate messaging could build on existing beliefs and practices to promote compliance, and on social mediation as a dissemination strategy. We identified the role of choice of language (English or Sylheti), the differences between written and oral representations of COVID-19 risk, and the manifold ways in which linguistic choices give salience to aspects of a risk scenario.

Early epidemiology indicated older members of Britain’s Bangladeshi communities were disproportionately affected by COVID-19 related morbidity and mortality. Bangladeshis were more likely to have comorbidities and live in poorer, overcrowded areas in the UK’s urban centres where viral contagion was more likely. This cross-section of socioeconomic, geographical and health related factors underlined the need for clear messaging about social distancing in a complex and shifting risk scenario – messages that this vulnerable group, who speak an oral language (Sylheti), may not have been able to access directly due to low literacy and English language proficiency.

This study identified the practices adopted by Bangladeshis in East London in response to the pandemic, the underlying attitudes and beliefs and whether and how these had been influenced by messages about social distancing. Drawing on our earlier work, it examined the role of social learning in how messages were accessed and interpreted and whether and how the health interactions of this older group were mediated by friends, family members and acquaintances. Remote interviews with older Bangladeshis and their social contacts who performed this mediating role provided insights into how linguistically and culturally appropriate messaging could build on existing beliefs and practices to promote compliance, and on social mediation as a dissemination strategy. We identified the role of choice of language (English or Sylheti), the differences between written and oral representations of COVID-19 risk, and the manifold ways in which linguistic choices give salience to aspects of a risk scenario.