Population of UK 2012
While the last UK census was carried out in 2011, confirmed figures are yet to come through and as such, the last set of reliable statistics have to be drawn from the previous survey carried out in 2001. At the time, the population of the UK was declared at 58,789,194.
Current estimates
The 2011 census figures won’t start to be released until September 2012 and in the meantime, a whole host of claims have emerged from various quarters. An estimate carried out in 2010 suggested that the UK population at the time stood at 62,262,000 making the UK the world’s 22nd largest country in terms of pure numbers.
That estimate came from the UK’s Office for National Statistics and overall it makes for some very interesting reading.
2010 findings
Released in 2011, the ONS’s findings suggest that natural growth in the UK is at its highest level since the so called ‘baby boom’ years of the 1960’s. This natural change, the difference between the current birth rate and death rate was also reported to be responsible for over 52% of the UK population’s growth.
Net migration also played its part with a two-pronged contribution to the estimate’s findings. Not only were the UK’s migration figures growing, there was also a significant introduction of women born overseas who were of child-bearing age.
The end result was the final estimated figure of 62,262,000 in respect of the UK population in 2010.
Population density
In terms of density, based on the Office of National Statistics findings in 2010, there were 255 people living in every square kilometre of land (660 per square mile) which ranks the territory twelfth in the world overall.
2001 figures examined
As we’ve already seen, the confirmed figures from the 2001 Census showed that there were 58,789,194 people living in the UK and demographic analysis showed that of that figure, 92.1% of the population claimed to be of White British descent.
Britain as a whole is claimed for its ethnic diversity in some areas and therefore, that figure may seem larger than expected by some observers. Of the remainder of the UK population in 2011, 4% were of South Asian origin and 2% of black descent. Various other ethnic groups make up the final total.
2012 projection
The UK population of 2012 will be confirmed later this year when the results of the 2011 Census are announced and they are awaited with great anticipation.
The increase in natural growth is a significant factor and if the estimate from the Office of National Statistics is anything to judge by, the Census figures will be very interesting indeed. Coupled with a further rise in net migration, there should be a sizeable increase in the final set of statistics.
