What is the population of the UK?

The ONS publishes the official UK population each year as a mid-year estimate (for 30 June), combining figures from all four nations. The latest estimate and its date are on the ONS population estimates page.

Between censuses the estimates are built from births, deaths and migration, so they are revised when new migration data arrives. When a claim uses a population figure, check which year's estimate it used and whether it has since been revised. Projections of future population are a separate ONS series.

Official sources: ONS population estimates · ONS population projections

The latest figure

The newest value is at Office for National Statistics (ONS), with National Records of Scotland and NISRA. More on it: UK population.

When is the next figure out?

Annual mid-year estimates, usually published in the summer or autumn of the following year, 7am; next release date to be announced

Every official release due in the next two weeks is on the release calendar.

Terms used in this answer

• Forecast and projection
  A forecast is a best estimate of what will happen. A projection shows what would happen if stated assumptions hold, without claiming they will.
• Net migration
  Long-term immigration minus long-term emigration over a period, usually a rolling year. It measures the net change in population from migration.
• Great Britain and the United Kingdom
  Great Britain is England, Scotland and Wales. The United Kingdom is Great Britain plus Northern Ireland. Some statistics cover only one or the other.
• Mid-year population estimates
  The official annual estimates of how many people live in the UK and each area on 30 June, used as denominators for most per-head figures.
• Rate per 100,000
  The number of events divided by the population and multiplied by 100,000, so areas of different sizes can be compared on a like-for-like basis.
• Revisions
  Changes to previously published figures, made when more complete data, improved methods or updated seasonal factors become available. A normal part of official statistics.

Where the figures come from

• UK labour market statistics (ONS, Nomis and the gender pay gap reporting service)
  How to find official UK figures on jobs, vacancies, zero-hours contracts, strikes, public sector jobs, sickness, inactivity and pay gaps, and check claims.
• UK population and vital statistics (ONS, National Records of Scotland and NISRA)
  Where to find official UK figures on births, fertility, baby names, marriage, divorce, households, population estimates, projections and the census.
• Social care, childcare and children's social care statistics (DHSC, NHS England, Skills for Care, DfE, ONS and devolved bodies)
  Where to find official figures on care homes, social care staff, delayed discharge, unpaid carers, free childcare, childcare costs and children in care.

Related questions

• Where can I find UK census data?
• What is net migration to the UK?
• How do I make a Freedom of Information request?

This answer says where the official figures are published and how they are defined. It gives no verdict on any claim. To report an error, send a correction request. More questions about finding and checking official statistics: all Finding and checking official statistics questions.