UK population set to rise by three million over next decade and pass 70 million in 2031 There will be 7.2 million births and 6.4 million deaths over the 10-year period, according to the ONS

The population of the UK is expected to rise by three million over the next decade, according to latest forecasts.

However, while the number of people living in the UK is expected to exceed 70 million in the next 10 years, experts said the rise was at a slower rate than previously thought.

The population will increase by 4.5 per cent from an estimated 66.4 million in mid-2018 to 69.4 million in mid-2028, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

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Growth ‘slower’ than previous predictions

It said the rise meant the UK population would pass 70 million by mid-2031 and reach 72.4 million by mid-2043.

But according to their predictions, which are published every two years, the annual growth rate for the UK will drop 0.60 per cent to 0.27 per cent by mid-2043.

The UK’s population is projected to increase by 3 million (4.5%) in 10 years – from 66.4 million in 2018 to 69.4 million in 2028 https://t.co/dZ2DB03iG6 pic.twitter.com/uPbJY8TymQ — Office for National Statistics (@ONS) October 21, 2019

The figures suggest the country’s growth rate is also slower than predictions made in 2016, with the expected population anticipated to be 0.4 million less in mid-2028 and 0.9 million less in mid-2043.

The ONS said the pace of growth is expected to slow based on the assumption that women will have fewer children, and in light of recent falls in fertility rates and a slower rate of increase in life expectancy.

It added England’s population is anticipated to grow quicker than the other UK nations, rising 5 per cent between mid-2018 and mid-2028.

This compares to anticipated increases of 3.7 per cent in Northern Ireland, 1.8 per cent in Scotland and just 0.6 per cent in Wales.

There is also expected to be a growing number of older people, with the proportion aged 85 and over projected to almost double over the next 25 years.

Anna Dixon, chief executive at the Centre for Ageing Better, said the figures showed the age of the population was “dramatically shifting”.

She added: “These longer lives are a huge opportunity but big changes are needed to our workplaces, homes, health services and communities if we are to ensure that everyone is able to age well.”

Births and deaths

The ONS figures reveal that, over the 10-year period, a total of 7.2 million people will be born and 6.4 million will die.

Meanwhile, 5.4 million will immigrate long-term to the UK and 3.3 million will emigrate.

Over the course of the decade net international migration is expected to account for 73 per cent of the UK’s population growth, while more births than deaths could account for 27 per cent.

“Although migration declines at first and the number of births is stable, the number of deaths is projected to grow as those born in the baby boom after World War Two reach older ages,” the ONS said.

“The population is increasingly ageing and this trend will continue.

“However, because of the expected rise in the state pension age to 67 years, it is projected that slightly fewer than one in five people will be of pensionable age in 2028, a similar proportion to today.”