London saw a population decline in five areas out of 12 across the country in 2024, according to fresh statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This comes as the population of England and Wales was estimated to be 61.8 million in mid-2024, an increase of 706,881 from 61.1 million in mid-2023.
This represents the second-largest year-on-year numerical rise in population since at least 1949, according to comparable ONS data. However, while most of England and Wales saw a population increase, 12 council areas experienced a decline in residents – with almost half of these in London.
The affluent London borough of Kensington and Chelsea recorded the largest population decrease last year, with a drop of 1.4 per cent, equating to a net loss of 1,981 people. This was primarily due to former residents relocating to other parts of the UK, with 3,423 more individuals leaving Kensington and Chelsea than arriving from elsewhere in the country.
The number of departures outweighed the 968 net increase in international migration – the difference between immigration and emigration numbers – and the 484 additional births over deaths. A similar trend was observed in the London boroughs of Lambeth, which experienced a population decrease of 0.6 per cent, and Westminster with a drop of 0.3 per cent.
Elsewhere in the country, such as in the rural Derbyshire Dales, the population decline was attributed to a low birth rate. The data reveals that 232 more people moved into the area from other parts of the UK than left, while net international migration contributed 98 new residents. However, Derbyshire Dales had a relatively high number of deaths (869) compared to a low number of births (393), resulting in a net loss of 476 people.
In Lancaster, an influx of 1,108 people from international migration was offset by a loss of 647 individuals relocating to other parts of the UK, coupled with 490 more deaths than births. This resulted in a slight overall population decrease of 50 people.
Most areas witnessed population growth, with the most significant increase seen in Oadby and Wigston in Leicestershire, at 3.1 per cent, equating to 1,869 individuals. In London, Barking and Dagenham saw the largest increase in population, at 2.8 per cent.
You can explore how the population has changed in your area, and understand the impact of births, deaths and both internal and international migration, using our interactive map.
The population of England and Wales has seen a yearly increase since mid-1982, with migration being the primary contributor to this growth every year since mid-1999. Prior to this, the main cause for increases was natural change.
Nigel Henretty from the ONS commented: “The rate of population increase has been higher in recent years, and the rise seen in the year to mid-2024 represents the second largest annual increase in numerical terms in over 75 years. Net international migration continues to be the main driver of this growth, continuing the long-term trend seen since the turn of the century.”
Areas with a falling population
- Isles of Scilly -67 (-2.75%)
- Kensington and Chelsea -1981 (-1.35%)
- Lambeth -1818 (-0.57%)
- Westminster -669 (-0.32%)
- Derbyshire Dales -189 (-0.26%)
- Isle of Anglesey -141 (-0.20%)
- Enfield -580 (-0.18%)
- Camden -292 (-0.13%)
- Boston -46 (-0.06%)
- North Norfolk -63 (-0.06%)
- Lancaster -50 (-0.03%)
- Hastings -2 (0.00%)
Looking for more from MyLondon? Subscribe to our daily newsletters here for the latest and greatest updates from across London.
