Today, let's delve into the fascinating topic of the United Kingdom's population. We'll explore demographic trends, cultural diversity, and the factors shaping the dynamic composition of this vibrant nation.
Population of the UK: 2022-2023
In 2023, the United Kingdom's population reached 67,736,802, reflecting a 0.34% growth compared to the previous year. Similarly, in 2022, the population stood at 67,508,936, showing a 0.34% increase from the figures recorded in 2021.
Population of the UK: density, growth rate
The population of Britain is growing at a rate of 0.4% per year. The population density in the United Kingdom is 270 people per square kilometer (700 people per square mile), with England exhibiting notably higher density compared to Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
UK population by age
Approximately 17.47% of the United Kingdom's population belonged to the 0-14 age group, while 63.36% fell within the 15-64 age category. The remaining 19.17% were individuals aged 65 and above. The population of Britain is growing at a rate of 0.4% per year.
UK cities by population
The population distribution of major cities in the UK showcases London as the most populous, boasting a population of 7,556,900. Following closely is Birmingham with 984,333 residents, and Liverpool securing the third position with 864,122 inhabitants. Nottingham, Sheffield, and Bristol maintain substantial populations, counting 729,977, 685,368, and 617,280 residents, respectively. Glasgow, Leicester, Edinburgh, and Leeds contribute significantly to the urban demographic landscape, each with substantial populations of 591,620, 508,916, 464,990, and 455,123 residents.
UK population by ethnicity
The population of the United Kingdom is diverse, comprising various ethnic groups. The major ethnic groups in the UK include White, Asian, Black, Mixed, and Other. Among these, the White ethnic group is the largest, encompassing individuals of English, Scottish, Welsh, Irish, and other European backgrounds. The Asian community, consisting of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese, and other Asian nationalities, is the second-largest. The Black population, including Africans, Caribbeans, and Black Britons, follows. Mixed ethnicity individuals, with parents from different ethnic backgrounds, form another significant group. The "Other" category encompasses diverse groups such as Arabs, Jews, and others.
UK population by religion
In the present day, 46.2 percent of the current population in England and Wales adhere to the Christian faith. Among the remaining populace, 6.5 percent declare themselves as followers of Islam, 1.7 percent as practitioners of Hinduism, 0.9 percent as adherents of Sikhism, 0.5 percent as followers of Judaism, and another 0.5 percent identify with Buddhism. Approximately 37 percent of the population currently state no religious affiliation, while 0.6 percent claim membership in other religious groups. Moreover, 6 percent of the population choose not to answer the optional question regarding their religious beliefs, "What is your religion?"
Muslim population in the UK
Throughout the Middle Ages, there existed a certain degree of cultural interchange between Christendom and the Islamic world. Despite this, the British Isles did not have a Muslim presence during this period, although a handful of Crusaders, like Robert of St. Albans, did convert in the East. The Elizabethan era marked a more explicit connection as the Tudors formed alliances against Catholic Habsburg Spain, extending ties to Morocco and the Ottoman Empire. With the expansion of the British Empire, especially in India, Britain governed regions with a substantial Muslim population. Lascars, among whom some settled in Britain from the mid-18th century, were a notable example.
In the 19th century, Victorian Orientalism heightened interest in Islam, leading some Britons, including aristocrats, to convert. Marmaduke Pickthall, an English writer and novelist who embraced Islam, achieved a significant milestone in 1930 by providing the first complete English translation of the Qur'an by a British Muslim.
During the First and Second World Wars, a noteworthy contingent of Muslims, serving under the British Indian Army, fought for the United Kingdom, with several earning the Victoria Cross, the country's highest honor. Following the Second World War and the Partition of India in 1947, a considerable number of Muslims from present-day Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan resettled in Britain. Presently, British Asians, comprising various ethnicities, constitute the majority of Muslims in Britain, with notable Turkish, Arab, Somali communities, and around 100,000 British converts from diverse backgrounds. Islam stands as the second-largest religion in the United Kingdom, with its followers having the lowest average age among major religious groups. Between 2001 and 2009, the Muslim population experienced nearly a tenfold increase compared to the non-Muslim population.
In the 19th century, Victorian Orientalism heightened interest in Islam, leading some Britons, including aristocrats, to convert. Marmaduke Pickthall, an English writer and novelist who embraced Islam, achieved a significant milestone in 1930 by providing the first complete English translation of the Qur'an by a British Muslim.
During the First and Second World Wars, a noteworthy contingent of Muslims, serving under the British Indian Army, fought for the United Kingdom, with several earning the Victoria Cross, the country's highest honor. Following the Second World War and the Partition of India in 1947, a considerable number of Muslims from present-day Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan resettled in Britain. Presently, British Asians, comprising various ethnicities, constitute the majority of Muslims in Britain, with notable Turkish, Arab, Somali communities, and around 100,000 British converts from diverse backgrounds. Islam stands as the second-largest religion in the United Kingdom, with its followers having the lowest average age among major religious groups. Between 2001 and 2009, the Muslim population experienced nearly a tenfold increase compared to the non-Muslim population.
Jewish population in the UK
As of the 2021 United Kingdom census, the Jewish population in England and Wales was recorded at 271,327 individuals, constituting approximately 0.5% of the total population. The 2021 Northern Irish census indicated that 439 individuals identified as Jews, making up just 0.02% of the population. However, this marked a notable 31% increase since the 2011 census.
In Scotland, the 2011 census reported 5,887 Jews, bringing the total self-identified Jewish population in the United Kingdom to 277,653. It's important to note that this figure excludes smaller Jewish communities in Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories, including Gibraltar, Jersey, and Bermuda, among others. Nonetheless, experts, such as demographers David Graham and Stanley Waterman, suggest that this total might be an undercount due to various factors. These factors include general underenumeration in censuses, the omission of secular Jews in the question, the voluntary nature of the question, suspicion among Jews regarding such inquiries, and a high non-response rate, particularly among Haredi Jews.
In contrast, the Jewish Virtual Library estimated a larger Jewish population of 291,000 (not limited to adherents of Judaism) in 2012, positioning Britain's Jewish community as the fifth largest globally, comprising approximately 0.43% of the overall UK population. The absolute number of Jews has exhibited a gradual increase since the inception of record-keeping; in the 2011 census, 263,346 individuals in England and Wales identified as "Jewish" in response to the voluntary religion question, compared to 259,927 in 2001.
In Scotland, the 2011 census reported 5,887 Jews, bringing the total self-identified Jewish population in the United Kingdom to 277,653. It's important to note that this figure excludes smaller Jewish communities in Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories, including Gibraltar, Jersey, and Bermuda, among others. Nonetheless, experts, such as demographers David Graham and Stanley Waterman, suggest that this total might be an undercount due to various factors. These factors include general underenumeration in censuses, the omission of secular Jews in the question, the voluntary nature of the question, suspicion among Jews regarding such inquiries, and a high non-response rate, particularly among Haredi Jews.
In contrast, the Jewish Virtual Library estimated a larger Jewish population of 291,000 (not limited to adherents of Judaism) in 2012, positioning Britain's Jewish community as the fifth largest globally, comprising approximately 0.43% of the overall UK population. The absolute number of Jews has exhibited a gradual increase since the inception of record-keeping; in the 2011 census, 263,346 individuals in England and Wales identified as "Jewish" in response to the voluntary religion question, compared to 259,927 in 2001.
Hindu population in the UK
Hindus have had a presence in the United Kingdom since the early 19th century when India was under British rule as part of the British Empire. A considerable number of Indians, particularly those in the British Indian Army, chose to settle in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland during this period.
The majority of British Hindus today are immigrants, primarily originating from India. Additionally, there is a significant population of Hindu immigrants from countries such as Sri Lanka and Nepal, with smaller numbers hailing from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. In more recent times, the influence of organizations like ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha), and the growing popularity of yoga, meditation, and other Hindu practices have led to an increasing number of British citizens embracing Hinduism. This trend is further amplified by the participation of many celebrities in the Hindu faith.
The majority of British Hindus today are immigrants, primarily originating from India. Additionally, there is a significant population of Hindu immigrants from countries such as Sri Lanka and Nepal, with smaller numbers hailing from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. In more recent times, the influence of organizations like ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha), and the growing popularity of yoga, meditation, and other Hindu practices have led to an increasing number of British citizens embracing Hinduism. This trend is further amplified by the participation of many celebrities in the Hindu faith.
UK population by race
In the context of the racial composition of the UK population, the predominant ethnic group is White, comprising 82.9% of the overall populace. More specifically, individuals identifying as White British or Irish constitute a substantial majority, accounting for 74.4% as of 2021. On the other hand, within the spectrum of minor ethnic groups, there is a 6.3% increase in those identifying as Asian British. Conversely, the Black British population has experienced a decline by 3.0%. Concurrently, there is a 2.0% rise in individuals identifying as British Mixed, along with a 0.9% increase in the "Other" category.
Indian population in the UK
British Indians are individuals in the United Kingdom (UK) whose ancestral roots trace back to India. Presently, the British Indian population surpasses 1.8 million, establishing them as the largest visible ethnic minority group in the country. They form the predominant subgroup within the broader category of British Asians and represent one of the most substantial Indian communities within the global Indian diaspora. This prominence can be attributed in part to the historical ties between India and Britain, stemming from India's inclusion in the British Empire and its ongoing membership in the Commonwealth of Nations.
Among Indian diaspora communities worldwide, the British Indian community holds the sixth position in terms of size, ranking below Indian communities in the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, and Nepal. The majority of British Indians trace their roots to regions such as Punjab and Gujarat, while smaller communities originate from various parts of India, including Kerala, West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh.
Among Indian diaspora communities worldwide, the British Indian community holds the sixth position in terms of size, ranking below Indian communities in the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, and Nepal. The majority of British Indians trace their roots to regions such as Punjab and Gujarat, while smaller communities originate from various parts of India, including Kerala, West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh.
Black and white population in the UK
As of the latest data, the percentage of individuals identifying as "Black, Black British, Caribbean, or African" stands at 4.2%, totaling 2.4 million people. In contrast, the "White" ethnic groups make up 81.0% of the population, with a count of 45.8 million.
Pakistani population in UK
British Pakistanis are individuals who are citizens or residents of the United Kingdom, and their ancestral roots trace back to Pakistan. This encompasses individuals born in the UK of Pakistani descent, those who have migrated from Pakistan to the UK, and individuals of Pakistani origin who have relocated to the UK from other parts of the world.
The United Kingdom hosts the largest Pakistani community in Europe, and according to the 2021 Census, the population of British Pakistanis surpasses 1.5 million. This community holds the position of the second-largest ethnic minority population in the UK and is also the second-largest sub-group within the broader category of British Asians. Furthermore, British Pakistanis constitute one of the largest Overseas Pakistani communities, comparable in size to the Pakistani diaspora in the United Arab Emirates.
The majority of British Pakistanis trace their roots to the Azad Kashmir and Punjab regions, with a smaller number originating from other parts of Pakistan, including Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Balochistan.
The United Kingdom hosts the largest Pakistani community in Europe, and according to the 2021 Census, the population of British Pakistanis surpasses 1.5 million. This community holds the position of the second-largest ethnic minority population in the UK and is also the second-largest sub-group within the broader category of British Asians. Furthermore, British Pakistanis constitute one of the largest Overseas Pakistani communities, comparable in size to the Pakistani diaspora in the United Arab Emirates.
The majority of British Pakistanis trace their roots to the Azad Kashmir and Punjab regions, with a smaller number originating from other parts of Pakistan, including Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Balochistan.
UK vs US population
In terms of population, the United Kingdom is home to 67,736,802 people, while the United States boasts a significantly larger population of 333,288,000. The population density reflects this discrepancy, with 270.0 inhabitants per square kilometer in the UK compared to 35.0 in the US.
Life expectancy varies slightly between the two countries. In the United Kingdom, males have an average life expectancy of 79 years, with females living an average of 83 years. In the United States, the life expectancy is slightly lower, with males averaging 74 years and females averaging 79 years.
The average age of the populations also differs, with the United Kingdom having an average age of 40.6 years, while the United States has a slightly younger population with an average age of 38.5 years.
When it comes to demographic indicators, the birth rate in the United Kingdom is 10.10 per thousand, whereas in the United States, it is slightly higher at 11.00 per thousand. The death rate is 9.70 per thousand in the UK and 10.40 per thousand in the US.
Migration rates reveal another distinction, as the United Kingdom experiences a migration rate of 3.02 per thousand, whereas the United States has a lower migration rate at 1.68 per thousand.
Life expectancy varies slightly between the two countries. In the United Kingdom, males have an average life expectancy of 79 years, with females living an average of 83 years. In the United States, the life expectancy is slightly lower, with males averaging 74 years and females averaging 79 years.
The average age of the populations also differs, with the United Kingdom having an average age of 40.6 years, while the United States has a slightly younger population with an average age of 38.5 years.
When it comes to demographic indicators, the birth rate in the United Kingdom is 10.10 per thousand, whereas in the United States, it is slightly higher at 11.00 per thousand. The death rate is 9.70 per thousand in the UK and 10.40 per thousand in the US.
Migration rates reveal another distinction, as the United Kingdom experiences a migration rate of 3.02 per thousand, whereas the United States has a lower migration rate at 1.68 per thousand.
