This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/10401629.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
UK population rises to almost 62m | UK population rises to almost 62m |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The UK population reached 61,792,000 in mid-2009 | The UK population reached 61,792,000 in mid-2009 |
The population of the United Kingdom has reached almost 62 million, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said. | |
It said the number of people in the UK rose from 61,398,000 in mid-2008 to 61,792,000 in mid-2009. | It said the number of people in the UK rose from 61,398,000 in mid-2008 to 61,792,000 in mid-2009. |
Most of the rise, 55%, was caused by "natural change" - more births than deaths. Migration made up the remaining 45%. | Most of the rise, 55%, was caused by "natural change" - more births than deaths. Migration made up the remaining 45%. |
The ONS survey also highlights the UK's ageing population and predicts more unmarried couples in the future. | |
In 2008-2009 there were 123,000 more births than in the early part of the past decade. | |
Co-habiting couples | Co-habiting couples |
Natural change was the largest contributor to population growth until mid-1999, then again in the years to mid-2008 and mid-2009. | Natural change was the largest contributor to population growth until mid-1999, then again in the years to mid-2008 and mid-2009. |
Between these periods, migration was the main driver of population change. | Between these periods, migration was the main driver of population change. |
The UK population is also ageing fast. The number of people aged 85 and over reached 1.4 million in mid-2009. | The UK population is also ageing fast. The number of people aged 85 and over reached 1.4 million in mid-2009. |
The ONS has also predicted that the number of unmarried couples living together will rise dramatically over the next 25 years. | |
There are currently 2.3m co-habiting couples in the UK, but this is expected to reach 3.8 million in 2033. | There are currently 2.3m co-habiting couples in the UK, but this is expected to reach 3.8 million in 2033. |
Since 1978, more and more couples have decided against tying the knot. | Since 1978, more and more couples have decided against tying the knot. |
In 1978, 50% of people were married. By mid-2008, that figure stood at only 40%, down 41,000 on the previous year. | |
Meanwhile, divorce has become more popular. In 1978 only 2% of couples split. Thirty years on, 7% of couples divorce. | Meanwhile, divorce has become more popular. In 1978 only 2% of couples split. Thirty years on, 7% of couples divorce. |