The Office of National Statistics (ONS) of the United Kingdom revises its population projections every two years. The projections for 2012-2014 have been published at the beginning of this year. According to these projections the population will grow by 3 million by the end of the next mandate.

The UK population is currently about 64 million. 60% of this increase will be due to future immigration, both directly (43%) and indirectly through births to these migrant parents (17%). The population of the UK is projected to reach around 80 million by 2060.

The latest projections are based on a net migration assumption of 165,000 a year (down from 200,000 a year in the 2010 projections). This figure is based largely on past experience: it does not take into account future policy changes. The ONS also estimates an increase of the fertility rate to 1.89 (compared to 1.84 in 2010).

The UK had the second largest birth rate in Europe in 2012 and the fourth largest population increase. These figures underline the need for a policy of balanced migration where immigration is on a par with emigration.

Source: Migration Watch UK