Growth in population is biggest since baby boom

The population of Britain rose by more than 470,000 last year, its fastest rate in nearly half a century.

The dramatic increase means the total now stands at 62.3 million, over three million more than 10 years ago.

London's population rose by 71,600 to a new high of 7.8 million, representing a rise of 0.9 per cent in just 12 months.

Nearly half of the national increase was the result of net migration, which was the highest recorded since 2005. The remainder was down to natural change - the difference between births and deaths - although a key factor in this was the number of babies born to women who had previously arrived from overseas.

The new figures, released today by the Office for National Statistics, will heighten the debate about the extent of population growth over recent years and the impact of high levels of migration on housing, schools, hospitals and other public services.

Unveiling the findings, which cover the year to the end of June last year, statistician Ben Humberstone said: "The population is the highest it has ever been."

He added: "It's also the highest growth rate that we have seen since 1962, the time of the baby boom."

Today's figures show that 243,000 of the total increase came from natural change and that 230,000 was the result of net migration.

On birth rates, today's report says that the number of women of child-bearing age has risen since 2002 because of the arrival of young women from abroad.

It also points out that the birth rate for UK-born women has risen, although this category includes those whose parents or grandparents were migrants, some of which groups have traditionally higher birth rates.

Falling deaths have further added to the population, but high net migration has been even more significant.

In 2009/10, immigration of 574,000 outstripped emigration of 344,000 to give a net influx of 230,000.

Net migration since 2001 totals 3.1 million.
Separate figures show that Westminster has experienced the biggest change in population since 2001 of any local authority in the country.

Its population now stands at 265,000 - up 44,000 since 2001, a rise of 26 per cent in the decade.
Tower Hamlets, with an 18 per cent increase since 2001, is the next highest and now has 238,000 residents.

By contrast, Brent has suffered the biggest fall in population over the past decade with its new total of 257,000 down 13,000 on the 2001 figure.