…By Henry George for TDPel Media.
According to new figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), population levels in England and Wales surged by at least 2% in densely populated areas between June 2021 and June 2022.
London boroughs witnessed the most substantial increases, although cities like Manchester, Salford, and Newcastle, which attract many students, also saw significant population growth.
Rural and Coastal Areas Experience Population Decline
While urban areas experienced population surges, several rural and coastal locations, including North Norfolk, Hastings, and Scarborough, saw a decline in population during the same period.
Experimental Data and Methodology
The provisional figures provided by the ONS are based on a new method for calculating population and should not be compared to other measures such as the 2021 census.
These estimates are categorized as experimental data.
Population Growth in Specific Areas
The ONS estimates show that the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Westminster, and Newham had the highest population increases, with rises of 4.8%, 3.5%, and 3.0% respectively.
Outside London, local authorities with major universities, including Exeter, Manchester, Middlesbrough, and Salford, also experienced substantial population growth.
Population Changes in Wales
In Wales, the largest population increases were observed in Cardiff, Newport, and Swansea.
Areas with Declining Population
Fifteen areas, primarily rural and coastal, experienced a decrease in population during the year to June 2022.
South Staffordshire saw the most significant decline, followed by Lincoln, Ipswich, North Norfolk, Boston, Hastings, and Scarborough.
Total Population Reaches Over 60 Million
The estimated total population of England and Wales surpassed 60 million for the first time, reaching 60.2 million in mid-2022, compared to 59.6 million in mid-2021.
Factors Influencing Population Shifts
The Covid-19 outbreak prompted universities and colleges to shift from in-person to online education, leading many students to return home.
Lockdown restrictions and social distancing measures may have also motivated residents of urban areas to temporarily relocate to less crowded regions.
Local Authority Population Changes
In total, 21 local authorities experienced population growth of at least 2% between June 2021 and June 2022, with an additional 26 authorities seeing increases between 1.5% and 2%.
The figures exclude the City of London and Isles of Scilly due to their small population sizes.
Official Population Estimates and Future Projections
The ONS will publish official estimates of the mid-2022 population in September, along with updated estimates for previous years.Provisional figures for mid-2023 will be released later this year.