United Kingdom · official figures · mid-2025
UK population by nation and region, 2026
The UK has 69,483,939 people on the latest official figures (mid-2025). South East England is the largest English region, with 9.7 million, followed by London with 9.1 million; North East England is the smallest, with 2.8 million.
The four nations
| # | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | 58,834,812 | +0.39% | +4.45% | 84.7% | 452 |
| 2 | Scotland | 5,545,500 | +0.04% | +2.52% | 8.0% | 71 |
| 3 | Wales | 3,175,181 | −0.09% | +2.28% | 4.6% | 153 |
| 4 | Northern Ireland | 1,928,446 | +0.03% | +1.47% | 2.8% | 142 |
England’s nine regions
| # | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South East England | 9,691,844 | +0.55% | +5.06% | 13.9% | 508 |
| 2 | London | 9,122,909 | −0.29% | +2.89% | 13.1% | 5,804 |
| 3 | North West England | 7,772,854 | +0.73% | +5.32% | 11.2% | 551 |
| 4 | East of England | 6,613,801 | +0.65% | +5.02% | 9.5% | 346 |
| 5 | West Midlands | 6,205,854 | +0.39% | +4.62% | 8.9% | 477 |
| 6 | South West England | 5,906,997 | +0.38% | +4.33% | 8.5% | 248 |
| 7 | Yorkshire and the Humber | 5,672,166 | +0.28% | +3.73% | 8.2% | 368 |
| 8 | East Midlands | 5,085,641 | +0.50% | +4.74% | 7.3% | 326 |
| 9 | North East England | 2,762,746 | +0.51% | +4.75% | 4.0% | 322 |
Standard area measurements, ONS. “In 5 years” compares the latest yearly figures.
Questions
Which region of the UK has the most people?
South East England, with 9,691,844 people (mid-2025), 13.9% of the UK. Then London, with 9,122,909.
Which has the fewest people?
North East England, with 2,762,746 (mid-2025).
Which is growing fastest?
North West England, up +0.73% in the latest year. Only London shrank.
What share of the UK’s people live in the three largest?
38.3%: South East England, London, North West England.
How current are these figures, and who publishes them?
They are for mid-2025, from Office for National Statistics, mid-year population estimates. The ONS publishes new mid-year estimates once a year.
Source and method
Office for National Statistics, mid-year population estimates. Open Government Licence v3.0. The ONS publishes new mid-year estimates once a year. These national figures can differ from the UN’s projection for the UK, which uses one method for every country.
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