London's population declines amid slowest growth in decades
Ongoing drop in net migration impacts capital and wider UK
London's population experienced its first decrease since 2021 as new figures unveil the slowest growth rate in England and Wales since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The drop in the capital's population aligns with a broader slowdown in the UK, driven largely by reduced net migration which has sharply fallen from record levels in 2023.
Additionally, natural change—accounting for the difference between births and deaths—has seen a slight fall.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates indicate that one in four local areas saw population declines in the year to mid-2025.
The population in England and Wales was pegged at 62.0 million by mid-2025, marking only a 0.4% rise from 61.8 million in mid-2024.
This represents the slowest rate of increase since mid-2020, following steeper growths in prior years.
Net international migration fell to 211,700 compared to the previous year's 612,500.
Births hit their lowest since mid-1978 at 588,000, while deaths were at their lowest since mid-2019 with 568,400, contributing to a natural increase of merely 19,600.
According to Nigel Henretty, head of population statistics at ONS, migration has long been the main driver of population changes.
However, its recent dip has resulted in minimal growth nationally, particularly impacting regions like London and Wales.