Census reveals how much the population has risen - with more pensioners than ever before

Census reveals how much the population has risen – with more pensioners than ever before

Jun 28, 2022

The population of England and Wales has grown by more than 3.5 million (6.3%) in 10 years, from 56.1 to 59.6 million, new census data reveals.

There are now more people aged 65 and over than ever before – accounting for 18.6% of the population, compared to 16.4% in 2011, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows.

Since the last census on 27 March that year, populations have increased in all English regions and in Wales – with the East of England experiencing the highest growth – an increase of 8.3% or roughly 488,000 residents.

The local authorities where the population has decreased the most are both in London. In Kensington and Chelsea it fell by 9.6% and in Westminster it went down by 6.9%.

By contrast, Tower Hamlets, in east London, experienced the highest population growth (an increase of 22.1%), followed by Dartford in Kent (20%).

London also has the highest proportion of 15 to 64-year-olds, with that group accounting for 70%.

There are more people aged 65 and over in Wales (21.3%) than there are in England (18.4%).

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The English regions with the most over-65s are North Norfolk and Rother in East Sussex (33.4% and 32.4% of their populations respectively.

East Devon has the most people aged 90 and over – the equivalent of 1.9% of the population there.

Across both countries 15 to 64-year-olds make up 64.1% of people, with under-15s representing 17.4%.

Still more women than men

Like in 2011, there are still more women (51% of the population) than men (49%) overall. In 2011 the split was 50.8% women and 49.2% men.

The latest census, conducted on 21 March 2021, also shows a 6.1% increase in the number of households – from 23.3 million in 2011 to 24.8 million last year.

Population density has increased from an average of 371 residents per square kilometre to 395 in 2021.

It is still highest in London – with 5,598 residents per square kilometre – which is 14 times the average for England and Wales.

The least densely populated area of England is the South West (239 per square kilometre), but Wales has an even lower population density at 150 people per square kilometre.

Overall the population of the two countries is the highest it has ever been.

But the ONS notes that “population change in certain areas may reflect how the coronavirus pandemic affected people’s choice of usual residence on census day”.

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