By Gurkha Insight • UK & World News • Aug 26, 2025 19:24 PM • 5 views
The UK is witnessing a historic population shift, as new figures reveal that England and Wales experienced their second-largest population increase in more than 75 years—and it’s almost entirely driven by migration.
Between mid‑2023 and mid‑2024, the population rose by over 700,000 people, with 98% of that growth coming from international migrants. This jump is second only to the previous year, marking a 1.5 million increase in just two years—the fastest in modern history since the post‑World War II era.
Unlike the baby boom of the 1940s, today’s population growth isn’t from births. In fact, natural growth (births minus deaths) added only about 30,000 people last year. The rest came from new arrivals: students, skilled workers, care staff, and people fleeing conflicts.
Experts say this shows how much Britain now depends on global migration to keep the economy running, especially in sectors like healthcare, construction, and hospitality. But it’s also raising big questions—can housing, schools, and the NHS keep up?
The UK population now stands at over 68 million, with projections showing it could cross 73 million by 2036 if migration continues at current rates. That’s a decade sooner than expected.
Politicians are under pressure to find a balance—welcoming workers the country needs while addressing public concerns about overcrowding and infrastructure.
One thing is clear: Britain is changing faster than anyone thought—and migration is at the heart of that story.
