Population & Migration
Over 7.5 million residents in 2005
Age distribution, 2005
London is one of the largest cities in the developed world in terms of its built-up area, and is the most populous city in the European Union, with over 7.5 million residents in 2005. It is also one of the European Union's most densely settled areas: only Brussels and central Paris are more densely populated.
Between 2001 and 2005 the population has risen from 7.3 to 7.5 million. In 2004-05 London was the fastest growing British region at nearly 12 persons per thousand residents.
There were 114,600 live births and 54,200 deaths in London in 2004-05, a natural population increase of 60,400. Natural population growth in London accounted for 48 per cent of the total natural growth of the UK in 2004-05, even though London was home to only 12 per cent of the total population.
In 2005, London had proportionately more residents aged under 5 and between 20 and 44 than the UK as a whole, but considerably fewer at other ages. 44 per cent of Londoners were aged 20-44 compared with only 35 per cent of all UK residents.
The crude birth rate in London, at over 15 live births per thousand residents, is high compared with most European cities. This is mainly due to the high proportion of women of childbearing age. London's crude death rate, at a little over 7 deaths per thousand residents, is close to the rates for many European cities, though low compared to some others, including other British cities.
In 2004, an estimated 218,000 international migrants came to live in London, equivalent to nearly 3 per cent of its population. A further 155,000 migrants came from the rest of the UK.
However over 350,000 people moved out of London, including 260,000 to the rest of the UK. London had a net loss of persons at all ages except 16-24.
Source: Office for National Statistics (ONS); General Register Office for Scotland(GROS); Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)
Note: ONS is currently changing its estimation method for international migration at the regional level and so the figures quoted are subject to change.
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