Great Britain is made up of four nations; England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. England has the largest population with around 56 million inhabitants, while Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have about 5 million, 3 million, and 1.8 million respectively. The population of the UK’s overseas territories – the British Indian Ocean Territory, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands – is estimated at around 30,000 people.
The population growth rate of Great Britain is currently about 0.6%. This is slightly slower than the European average of 0.77%. The overall fertility rate of UK citizens is around 1.7 children per woman, which is lower than the replacement rate of 2.1 children. This suggests that the population growth rate in the UK is not sustainable in the long term.
It is estimated that around 14.5 million people in the UK were born abroad. This number is increasing, with the latest figures showing a 5.5% increase in international-born residents since 2019. The UK is one of the most diverse countries in Europe, with immigrants from over 200 countries living in the UK.
Experts have suggested that the UK’s ageing population and low fertility rates are likely to cause its population growth rate to slow in the years to come. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates that, by 2046, the population size will plateau to around 70 million people.
The UK’s population is also aging, and this is expected to continue in the years to come. Around 22% of the UK’s population is projected to be aged 65 or higher by 2050, compared to around 17% in 2017. On the other hand, the number of young people between the ages of 16 and 24 is expected to decrease by 7% by 2021. This suggests that the competition in the job market is likely to become more intense in the near future.
Demographics
Population distribution is highly uneven throughout the UK. The three largest cities are London, Birmingham, and Manchester, which together account for 8% of the country’s population. On the other hand, the English countryside, which covers a large part of the UK, has a population density of just 100 people per square km.
The population of the UK is also highly diverse, with people of various ethnicities, cultures, and languages. According to the latest census data, 82% of the UK population is white British, while 15% belongs to ethnic minorities. The most common minority ethnicities in the UK include Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, African, Caribbean, and Chinese.
Languages
English is the official language of the UK, and it is spoken by 95% of the population. Other languages that are common include Welsh, Scots Gaelic, Irish, Polish, Urdu, Bengali, and Gujarati.
Religion
Around 59.8% of the UK population identify as Christian, while 25.7% identify with no religion. The rest of the population is made up of people with various other religious beliefs, such as Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, and Jewish.
Health
The UK population has a life expectancy of 79 years old, which is one of the highest in the world. The infant mortality rate is low, at 3.7 deaths per 1,000 births, and cancer is the leading cause of death in the country. In addition, the UK has one of the highest prevalence of obesity in Europe, with 62.7% of the population overweight or obese.
Education
The UK has achieved one of the highest literacy rates in the world, with 99% of people aged 15 or older able to read and write. The UK also has a high participation rate in higher education, with more than 42% of 19 to 30 year olds enrolled in college or university.
Economic Indicators
The UK has one of the largest economies in Europe, and it is ranked the 5th largest in the world. In 2018, it had a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $2.8 trillion. Unemployment is at 4.8% and its economy is expected to grow by 1.3% in 2021.
Despite the high GDP, there are still a significant number of people in the UK living below the poverty line. According to the latest statistics, 14.4 million people, equating to 21.9% of the population, were in poverty in 2020.
Conclusion
Great Britain is an ethnically diverse country with a population estimated to be around 66.8 million people. The population is growing steadily, but the growth rate is not sustainable in the long term. The country is characterized by uneven population distribution, with the three largest cities accounting for 8% of the population. English is spoken by 95% of the population, and the majority of the population is Christian. The life expectancy is one of the highest in the world, but there is a high prevalence of obesity and a significant number of people living below the poverty line. The UK has a strong economy, which is predicted to grow by 1.3% in 2021.
