Wales' population set to grow as a result of UK immigration

October 22 2009 by Liam Clifford

Immigration to the UK will have a knock on effect for Wales

Wales is set to see its population grow by a massive 12 per cent by 2033, largely as a result of people emigrating to the UK and choosing to live in Wales.

The population of the country is preparing to hit the 3 million mark midway through 2010, then will increase to 3.14 million by 2018.

New Office for National Statistics figures predict that the immigration to the UK as a whole will reach 71.6 million by 2033, with Wales’ population hitting 3.35 million by the same year.

Wales is to see its population ageing over the coming years and local government needs to think about how best to provide the social and housing services that will be needed. Life expectancy is rising in Wales, while fewer babies are being born, resulting in the average age rising from 41.1 at the moment to 44.2 by 2033.

However, the new immigration to the UK and then moving to Wales will help to plug labour and skills gaps that arise from ageing populations.

Some 3,000 foreign immigrants are expected to take up UK visas to move to Wales each year from 2014 onwards.

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