Britain's population to reach 70 mln by 2027: ONS says

The population of Britain is projected to increase by 9.7 million over the next 25 years from an estimated 64.6 million in mid-2014 to 74.3 million in mid-2039, the country's Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported Thursday.

The population is projected to reach 70 million by mid-2027, added ONS.

The ONS said assumed net migration into Britain accounts for 51 percent of the projected increase over the coming 25 years, with natural increase (more births than deaths) accounting for the remaining 49 percent of growth.

Over the ten year period to mid-2024, the UK population is projected to increase by 4.4 million to 69 million. This is 249,000 higher than the previously projected figure.

ONS said the population is projected to continue ageing with the average (median) age rising from 40 years in 2014 to 40.9 years in mid-2024 and 42.9 by mid-2039.

By mid-2039 more than one in twelve of the population living in Britain is projected to be aged 80 or over.

Dr Jo Michell, from the University of the West of England, said the population rise would increase the pressure on public services.

"It will have an impact on public services such as health and education, services which are already under pressure because of cuts in government services and cuts which are planned for the next five years," he said.

The projected growth in Britain's population comes as statistics show the populations of Germany, Spain and Italy are actually decreasing.

Prof Christian Dustmann, director of the Centre for Research and Analysis on Migration at University College London said population trends in Germany, Italy and Spain put those countries in a very difficult situation.

He said the ONS figures will help policy makers in Britain to prepare for future demands and expanded public services to cope with a bigger population. Endit