Population estimates are widely used and highly valued. They inform important government decisions and policies at national and local levels, and provide the denominator for key statistics, including economic indicators such as GDP per head. Here, Mary Gregory explains how and why the ONS is working to give users clearer, better information about the population in their area.
Read more on Keeping pace with population change
The start of a census programme is an exciting moment. Decisions made now will prepare Census 2031 for success and ultimately provide those…
Read more on Putting the foundations in place to make Census 2031 a success
Net migration has fallen to the lowest level seen since 2021, when pandemic lockdown restrictions ended and the new immigration…
Read more on What is driving the current fall in net migration?
For the first time, UK long-term international migration statistics no longer rely on survey data but are, instead, produced using administrative data. While this is a landmark moment and gives us an improved picture of past migration patterns, using admin data can present fresh challenges, as Mary Gregory explains.
Read more on Updating our methods to improve EU and British migration statistics
Following policy changes, there was a record fall in net migration in 2024. With fewer people arriving on work and study-related visas and emigration returning to pre-pandemic levels, net migration is at the lowest level seen since 2021. Mary Gregory looks in more detail at the latest estimates and considers the impact of falling migration on wider ONS statistics.
Read more on What’s driving the fall in net migration?