Population Growth in England and Wales Slows to Pandemic-Era Low

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 30, 2026

Population growth in England and Wales has slowed to 0.4% in mid-2025, the lowest rate since the Covid-19 pandemic, driven largely by a significant drop in net international migration and a decline in birth rates. This slowdown has led to population decreases in some areas, including Wales and London, while the number of very elderly residents aged 105 or older has risen sharply.

Population growth in England and Wales has slowed to its lowest rate since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to recent estimates from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The total population was estimated at 62 million in mid-2025, marking an increase of 224,900 people, or 0.4%, from mid-2024. This rate of growth is notably lower than in previous years, following a 1.4% increase in 2023 and 1.0% in 2024.

A key factor driving this slowdown is a sharp decline in net international migration. The number of people moving to England and Wales from abroad, minus those emigrating, fell to 211,700 in the year leading up to mid-2025, down significantly from 612,500 the year before. Migration has historically been the main contributor to population growth in the region, and this recent drop has had a pronounced effect on overall demographic changes.

Natural change—the difference between births and deaths—also contributed less to population growth than in previous years. There were 588,000 births and 568,400 deaths in the same period, resulting in a net increase of just 19,600 people. Births have declined to their lowest number since 1978, while deaths are at their lowest since 2019.

Demographically, some areas have been more affected than others. Around one in four local areas experienced a population decrease in the year to mid-2025. Notably, Wales saw its population decline for the first time in a decade. London’s population also decreased slightly, attributed to more residents moving out of the capital to other parts of the country.

The ONS also highlighted an increase in the number of very elderly people. An estimated 709 individuals in England and Wales were aged 105 or older last year, a 34% rise from 529 the previous year. This increase is linked to the cohort born in the years following World War I, as many from this generation have recently reached extreme old age. Of those 105 and older, 629 were women and 80 were men.

Nigel Henretty, head of population statistics at the ONS, noted the continued dominance of migration as a driver of demographic change over the past 25 years but emphasized that the recent decline in migration levels has resulted in the slowest population growth since the peak of the pandemic.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.