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UK population growth hits slowest rate since 1998 as net migration falls by nearly two-thirds

From the Newshound archive · first published 1 October 2026 · last updated 2 October 2026.

Britain's births fell to 652,400 in the year to mid-2025, the lowest total in more than four decades, leaving natural population change contributing just 4,900 people.
Britain's births fell to 652,400 in the year to mid-2025, the lowest total in more than four decades, leaving natural population change contributing just 4,900 people.

Net migration collapsed from 651,700 to 222,900 in the year to mid-2025, accounting for 98 per cent of Britain's total population increase of 227,665. The UK's overall growth rate of just 0.33 per cent is the lowest recorded outside the pandemic since 1998, after three years of record-breaking surges. Births fell to 652,400, the lowest total in more than four decades, while deaths nearly matched them, leaving natural population change contributing a mere 4,900 people.

Wales recorded its first population drop in a decade, while Scotland and Northern Ireland saw almost no growth, with only England posting a small rise.

MoreThe TimesUK population grows at slowest rate since 1998, ONS figures showDaily MailUK population hits new peak of 69.5million but growth slows as net migration and birth rates dropEvening StandardSlowest UK population growth outside pandemic since 1998The TelegraphUK population growth slumps to lowest in 30 years - The Telegraph
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