According to the Office for National Statistics, the UK population is projected to increase to 72.5 million by mid-2032, rising from 67.6 million in mid-2022, primarily fueled by net migration. This growth trend has raised concerns over the strain on public services and the necessity of foreign workers to sustain the economy.
The significant net migration of 4.9 million individuals over the next decade is expected to be the main driver behind this population surge. The balance between births and deaths is projected to offset each other, with a slight uptick in births counterbalanced by a growing number of deaths among the post-1945 age group.
The ONS forecasts a consistent annual net migration of 340,000 individuals from the year ending mid-2028 onwards. Despite a slight decrease in European Union migrants following Brexit, immigration has risen notably from countries like India, Nigeria, and Pakistan, particularly in response to shortages in health and social care sectors.