You asked
Please provide the UK population increase as a percentage due to foreign born immigration between 2001 and 2018.
We said
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request asking about the percentage of the UK population increase between 2001 and 2018 that is due to foreign born immigration.
On 29 November 2018 we published the latest international migration statistics by country of birth which give estimates of the numbers of people who have migrated in (and out) of the UK based on their country of birth. These data cover the years 2004 to 2017. From Population of the UK by country of birth and nationality you can get figures from 2000/2001 and 2017/2018. The difference between the foreign born population in 2001 and 2018 gives some indication of the direct impact of international migration.
From the mid-year population estimates it is possible to see the overall growth in population in the UK. Worksheet MYE3 of the downloadable file gives the components of change by local authority showing the births, deaths and both internal (within the UK) and international migration.
The contribution of international migration to population change is very complex and it is worth noting the following:
Current and past international migration has indirect effects on population size through births and deaths
Births to mothers (see worksheet ‘Table 1’ of the downloadable spreadsheet) born outside of the UK made up 28.4% (192,651) of all births (in England and Wales) in calendar year 2017
However this is not a complete assessment of indirect migration, we also need to also consider:
- Deaths of people who migrated to the UK;
- Births to, and deaths of people who emigrated from the UK;
- Births to, and deaths of, UK-born who emigrate and later return; and
- Births to, and deaths of, UK-born with parents who were immigrants
When accessing any of our files please read the 'notes, terms and conditions' contained within them.
Please do not hesitate to contact us directly on pop.info@ons.gov.uk if you require anything further.