Falling populations

Several parts of the nation have seen a population decline due to fewer births than deaths or people moving out

- By RICHARD AULT

THE number of people living in several parts of England and Wales is falling despite a 700,000 population jump driven by immigration.

There were an estimated 61.8 million people living in England and Wales in mid-2024, up 706,881 from 61.1 million in mid-2023, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

That was the second-biggest year-on-year numerical jump in population since at least 1949, the earliest comparable ONS data, and was mainly driven by net international migration, the difference between the number of people immigrating and emigrating.

But while the population increased across the vast majority of England and Wales, 12 council areas saw a decline in the number of residents.

The exclusive London borough of Kensington and Chelsea saw the biggest population drop last year, by 1.4%, a net loss of 1,981 people.