UK population growth predicted because of immigration
October 22 2009 by Liam Clifford
The UK’s population will grow by 10 million in just 25 years if change continues at the current rate of growth.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said the population will rise from the current level of 61m to 71.6m by 2033.
Two-thirds of the rise is said to be largely connected to immigration into the UK. The projected increase will mean that the population in this country will have grown at its fastest rate in over a century
However, the claims are being challenged by some as being based on UK immigration trends over the last few years, meaning the level of immigration we have seen recently may not continue.
The projections of National population size are drawn up every two years; this is to provide the current government with statistics in order to plan for necessary spending.
As well as the continued increase in UK immigration the projections claim:
- The number of over 65’s will rise by 32% by 2033 to 15.6m.
- In 25 years time there will be a ratio of 2.8 persons of working age to every person of pension-claiming age - this is a fall from the current 3.2 people.
The statistics from ONS suggest a total of 180,000 new immigrants will enter the UK every year, this will continue for the next 25 years, having a direct impact on the population and added growth if they then have children.
The UK immigration minister Phil Woolas pointed out that the projected number was 10,000 lower a year than previously projected by the ONS showing the new points-based system to UK immigration was working.
"Today's projections show that population growth is starting to slow down, the impacts of the radical reforms we have made to the immigration system over the last two years are working," he said.
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