Population of the United Kingdom
Population of the United Kingdom stood at 69,483,900 people in 2025, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Population table (Value · Annual), with a complete series running from 1971 to 2025. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Population table
| Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom2 | 69,483,900 | 69,256,300 | 68,588,000 | 67,636,100 | 66,978,000 | 66,739,900 | 66,627,500 | 66,286,700 | 65,964,300 | 65,605,800 | |
| Great Britain | 67,555,500 | 67,328,400 | 66,667,700 | 65,725,600 | 65,073,400 | 64,839,300 | 64,729,000 | 64,400,500 | 64,089,100 | 63,739,800 | |
| Northern Ireland | 1,928,400 | 1,927,900 | 1,920,400 | 1,910,500 | 1,904,600 | 1,900,500 | 1,898,500 | 1,886,300 | 1,875,200 | 1,866,000 |
Understanding population of the United Kingdom
This statistic counts the total usual resident population covering the entire United Kingdom. Usual residents include all individuals who have lived, or intend to live, in the country for a period of twelve months or more, regardless of nationality. Armed forces stationed abroad are excluded from this count, whereas foreign military personnel based domestically are included. This aggregate serves as the overarching national benchmark, distinguishing itself from sub-national tallies by encompassing every constituent nation within its geographical perimeter.
Interpreting this series requires careful attention to the timing of census rebasing exercises, which periodically adjust historical figures to align with decennial headcounts. Annual releases frequently undergo revisions as statisticians incorporate newly available administrative data concerning international migration and births. Comparing annual figures directly is generally more reliable than examining shorter intervals, because demographic measurement relies heavily on annual administrative cycles rather than high-frequency collection. Analysts must also avoid confusing this resident measure with legal citizenship counts or workforce participation metrics.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this series include foreign nationals living abroad?
- No, it counts only individuals whose usual residence is located within the country, regardless of citizenship.
- How frequently are these population estimates updated?
- The figures are calculated and published on an annual basis following mid-year demographic assessments.
- Are students studying away from home counted at their term-time address?
- Yes, usual residence conventions place students at their term-time address for the duration of the academic year.