Population of England and Wales surges to a record 61.8m

The population of England and Wales has grown by the second largest amount in at least 75 years, largely due to international migration.

- Jessica Murray

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show the headcount rose by 700,000 in the 12 months to June 2024, the second largest numerical jump since at least 1949, when comparable data began.

The increase was exceeded only by the rise of 821,210 in the preceding 12 months - mid-2022 to mid-2023.

The ONS said net international migration - the difference between people moving to this country and leaving it - accounted for 98% of the total - 690,147 of the estimated increase of 706,881. It is estimated that 1,142,303 people came to England and Wales in the 12 months to June 2024, while 452,156 were thought to have emigrated.

Natural population change, which is the difference between births and deaths, accounted for only a small proportion of the increase.