United Kingdom - Statistics & Facts
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, more commonly referred to as the United Kingdom or the UK, is a unitary state consisting of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. There are also three Crown Dependencies in nearby waters, and 14 Overseas Territories across the globe. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the United Kingdom was the world’s foremost superpower, with roughly a quarter of the world’s landmass and population under the dominion of the British Empire. Throughout the 20th century, the British Empire gradually dissolved, and countries such as Germany, the U.S., and USSR gained more international influence; however, the UK remains one of the world’s leading economies, with considerable political, cultural, and technological influence.
Since 2016, Brexit, i.e. the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, has been the most influential factor in the UK’s foreign policy, and adaptation to life outside of the EU has had a significant impact domestically. Thus far, most consider the economic and bureaucratic fallout of Brexit to have been overwhelmingly negative, it has put strain on the UK’s political relationship with the European trading bloc, and trade barriers have resulted in shortages or price hikes for certain goods and services. Nonetheless, the UK will have a higher level of economic autonomy going forward, and it remains to be seen whether any long-term benefits will outweigh the obstacles and challenges that the UK has faced until now.
London is, by far, the largest city in the United Kingdom, with a population of 9.3 million people. Manchester is the second largest city at 2.7 million people, and Birmingham third with 2.6 million, while Belfast is the largest of the executive capitals. The largest non-British population in the UK is from India, with a population of almost 900,000 people. This title was previously held by Poland, however, due to Brexit a large number of European migrants have left the UK, while there has been an uptick in immigration from Asia. There are also significant South Asian, African, and Caribbean populations in the UK, from former-colonies of the British Empire, and these groups make up the majority of the UK’s non-white population. The UK generally ranks among the top 10 percent of countries in terms of demographic development, and ranks 13th on the latest Human Development Index.
Since 2016, Brexit, i.e. the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, has been the most influential factor in the UK’s foreign policy, and adaptation to life outside of the EU has had a significant impact domestically. Thus far, most consider the economic and bureaucratic fallout of Brexit to have been overwhelmingly negative, it has put strain on the UK’s political relationship with the European trading bloc, and trade barriers have resulted in shortages or price hikes for certain goods and services. Nonetheless, the UK will have a higher level of economic autonomy going forward, and it remains to be seen whether any long-term benefits will outweigh the obstacles and challenges that the UK has faced until now.
Demographics
In 2023, the United Kingdom had a total population of roughly 68 million people. England has, by far, the largest share of this population at 57 million; followed by Scotland with 5.5 million, then Wales with 3.1 million, and Northern Ireland with 1.9 million. The UK’s crude birth rate is around 10.4 births per 1,000 population, while the death rate is around 9.7 per 1,000 population, meaning that the UK has a very small rate of natural increase. In 2021, the UK’s total fertility rate was below 1.6 births per woman. Suggesting that the population will be heavily dependent on migration for future growth.London is, by far, the largest city in the United Kingdom, with a population of 9.3 million people. Manchester is the second largest city at 2.7 million people, and Birmingham third with 2.6 million, while Belfast is the largest of the executive capitals. The largest non-British population in the UK is from India, with a population of almost 900,000 people. This title was previously held by Poland, however, due to Brexit a large number of European migrants have left the UK, while there has been an uptick in immigration from Asia. There are also significant South Asian, African, and Caribbean populations in the UK, from former-colonies of the British Empire, and these groups make up the majority of the UK’s non-white population. The UK generally ranks among the top 10 percent of countries in terms of demographic development, and ranks 13th on the latest Human Development Index.
