The United Kingdom has a population of approximately 68 million people in 2025, making it the 21st most populous country in the world and the third most populous in Europe, after Germany and France. Spread across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, this population is concentrated heavily in England, which alone accounts for roughly 84 percent of the total.
How Many People Live in the UK?
The UK's population stands at around 68 million, a figure that has climbed steadily over the past two decades. England is by far the largest of the four nations, home to about 57 million people. Scotland follows with roughly 5.5 million, Wales with about 3.1 million, and Northern Ireland with close to 1.9 million. This uneven distribution shapes much of British political and economic life, with the densely populated southeast of England, centred on London, exerting outsized influence over the rest of the country.
To put the number in perspective, the UK has more residents than France's near neighbour but fewer than Germany's roughly 84 million. It ranks just behind countries like Thailand and South Africa on the global league table, sitting comfortably in the world's top quarter by population despite its relatively small landmass.
Population Growth and Trends
The UK is growing slowly, at an annual rate of about 0.39 percent. This modest pace is typical of wealthy, developed economies where birth rates have fallen and life expectancy is high. The natural growth rate, the difference between births and deaths, has dropped close to zero, so almost all population increase now comes from net migration.
Net migration reached record levels of more than 700,000 a year in the early 2020s, though figures have since begun to ease. Meanwhile the fertility rate has fallen to roughly 1.5 births per woman, well below the 2.1 needed to keep a population stable without immigration. Demographers project that the UK could reach about 74 million people by 2050, with newcomers and their children accounting for nearly all of that growth. An ageing population is another defining trend, as the large post-war "baby boomer" generation moves into retirement.
Largest Cities and Urban Life
The UK is overwhelmingly urban, with more than four out of five residents living in towns and cities. Its three largest cities are London, Birmingham, and Manchester.
- London: The capital is home to about 9 million people within Greater London, swelling to roughly 14 million across its wider metropolitan area. It is the most populous city in Western Europe and one of the world's leading financial and cultural centres.
- Birmingham: With around 1.1 million residents, Birmingham is the UK's second city and the economic heart of the West Midlands.
- Manchester: The city proper holds about 550,000 people, but its metropolitan area reaches some 2.8 million. Once a powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution, it is now a hub for media, technology, and music.
Other major centres include Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield, and Edinburgh, while Cardiff and Belfast serve as the capitals of Wales and Northern Ireland respectively.
Demographics, Diversity, and Density
The UK has become markedly more diverse over recent generations. Around 82 percent of residents identify as White British, while roughly 8 percent are Asian British, about 4 percent Black British, and 3 percent of mixed heritage. London in particular is one of the most multicultural cities on Earth, with more than 300 languages spoken across its boroughs.
English is the dominant and de facto national language, with Welsh holding official status in Wales and Scottish Gaelic recognised in Scotland. In terms of belief, about 46 percent of people identify as Christian, around 37 percent report no religion, and roughly 6.5 percent are Muslim. The UK is governed as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, and each of its four nations retains distinct cultural traditions and, in several cases, devolved governments.
Population density varies enormously. Averaged across the whole country it is about 280 people per square kilometre, but England alone exceeds 430 per square kilometre, making it one of the most crowded countries in Europe and more densely settled than India. By contrast, the Scottish Highlands and rural Wales remain sparsely populated, with vast areas of moorland and mountain holding few residents. For more background on the nation, see our united kingdom country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of the United Kingdom in 2025?
The UK's population is approximately 68 million people in 2025, making it the 21st most populous country in the world and the third most populous in Europe.
Which UK nation has the most people?
England is by far the largest, with around 57 million residents, roughly 84 percent of the UK total. Scotland has about 5.5 million, Wales around 3.1 million, and Northern Ireland close to 1.9 million.
Is the UK's population growing or shrinking?
It is growing slowly, at about 0.39 percent per year. Because the fertility rate has fallen to roughly 1.5 births per woman, almost all of this growth now comes from net migration rather than natural increase.
What is the largest city in the UK?
London is the largest city, with around 9 million people in Greater London and about 14 million in its wider metropolitan area. It is the most populous city in Western Europe.