Overview

• The UK's population grew at its fastest rate since the early 1970s, reaching 68.3 million, largely due to immigration.
• Net migration reached 677,300 in the 12 months to June 2023, contributing to a population increase of 662,400.
• Government measures have started to reduce net migration, with forecasts suggesting it will stabilize around 250,000 by the decade's end.
• The gap between deaths and births is widening, necessitating immigration to fill workforce gaps due to the declining birthrate.
• Debate continues over the economic impact of high migration levels, with calls for a focus on skilled migrants to sustain economic growth.