Regions of the United Kingdom: population and official figures
the United Kingdom is divided into 12 regions. The largest by population is South East with 9,642,942 people (13.9% of the total); the smallest is Northern Ireland with 1,927,855.
Who governs the United Kingdom's regions?
Devolved governments (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland): Elected parliaments/assembly; First Minister chosen by them. Each sets the law for local government in its own nation. England has no devolved parliament; the UK government decides for England.
How local power works in the United Kingdom · Level 5: devolved and state governments worldwide
All 12 regions, largest first
| # | Region | Population | Year | Growth (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South East | 9,642,942 | 2024 | – |
| 2 | London | 9,089,736 | 2024 | – |
| 3 | North West | 7,737,414 | 2024 | – |
| 4 | East of England | 6,576,306 | 2024 | – |
| 5 | West Midlands | 6,187,204 | 2024 | – |
| 6 | South West | 5,889,695 | 2024 | – |
| 7 | Yorkshire and the Humber | 5,672,962 | 2024 | – |
| 8 | Scotland | 5,546,900 | 2024 | – |
| 9 | East Midlands | 5,063,164 | 2024 | – |
| 10 | Wales | 3,186,581 | 2024 | – |
| 11 | North East | 2,760,678 | 2024 | – |
| 12 | Northern Ireland | 1,927,855 | 2024 | – |
More on the United Kingdom: official statistics · government and power · local power
Sources
- Office for National Statistics: Explore Local Statistics: all datasets (116 indicators for UK local areas, regions and nations), spreadsheet generated 22 October 2026, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 ae2f3a7b3960…)
- HM Treasury: Country and Regional Analysis 2025: Chapter A tables (identifiable public spending by country and region, 2020-21 to 2024-25), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 9a6a7af9e2bd…)
- House of Commons Library: Results for the UK general election on 4 July 2024, England: candidate-level results (CSV), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 03d1ec16fb4d…)
- London Elects (Greater London Authority): Results 2024: Mayor of London and London Assembly elections, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 080731b5825b…)
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: English devolution: Area factsheets (published 10 July 2025), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 3a7b4a7e2f28…)
- Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe), Scottish Parliament: Election 2026 (SPICe Briefing SB 26-26), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 f36945db43b6…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.