UK Population Set to Reach 72.5 Million by 2032

The UK population is projected to increase to 72.5 million by 2032, marking a rise of nearly five million from 2022, Anadolu Agency reported citing the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This growth, estimated at 9.9%, is primarily driven by net migration, which is expected to total 4.9 million over the decade.

The ONS anticipates that net migration will average 340,000 annually from mid-2028 onwards. Births and deaths are expected to balance out, with around 6.8 million births offsetting an equal number of deaths.

Notably, one in ten individuals in the UK is projected to be 75 years old or older by 2032. Additionally, the number of people eligible for state pensions is set to rise from 12 million to 13.7 million during this period, indicating an increase of 1.7 million pensioners. Last year’s projections suggested the population could reach nearly 74 million by 2036.