A report described the dynamics of the United Kingdom population. It included information on changes in the age structure of the UK, as well as on population growth and the role of fertility and migration in driving population change. Since 2001, more people had migrated from southern regions to the rest of the UK than migrated in the other direction - this was a significant reversal of the almost unbroken southward net migration flow since at least 1971.
Source: Focus on People and Migration, Office for National Statistics (0845 601 3034)
Links: Report | Population Trends article | ONS press release
Date: 2005-Dec
An article discussed the best way to estimate a single population number where, due to disclosure control measures, different Census tables report different population or household totals particularly for small areas such as 'output areas'.
Source: Phil Rees, John Parsons and Paul Norman, 'Making an estimate of the number of people and households for Output Areas in the 2001 Census', Population Trends 122, Winter 2005, Office for National Statistics, Palgrave Macmillan (01256 329242)
Links: Article | ONS press release
Date: 2005-Dec
An article discussed the methods available for calculating the population in the years 1992 2000 (between Censuses). It described in detail the method that was chosen and the reasons for its selection.
Source: Michelle Littlefield and Ruth Fulton, 'Population estimates; backseries methodology for 1992 2000', Population Trends 122, Winter 2005, Office for National Statistics, Palgrave Macmillan (01256 329242)
Links: Article | ONS press release
Date: 2005-Dec
The United Kingdom population was projected to increase by 7.2 million over the period 2004 to 2031. It would increase from an estimated 59.8 million in 2004, passing 60 million in 2005 and 65 million in 2023, to reach 67.0 million by 2031. The population would continue rising beyond 2031 but at a much lower rate of growth.
Source: Press release 20 October 2005, Office for National Statistics (0845 601 3034)
Links: ONS press release (pdf) | GAD projections data | OPT press release | Guardian report
Date: 2005-Oct
Scotland's population was officially projected to rise over a period of 15 years before falling slowly. The population was not projected to fall below 5 million until 2036, rather than 2017 as the previous projection had suggested.
Source: Projected Population of Scotland (2004-based), General Register Office for Scotland (0131 314 4243)
Links: Report (pdf) | SE press release
Date: 2005-Oct
The Northern Ireland population was projected to increase by more than 100,000 over the period 2004-2019.
Source: Press release 20 October 2005, Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (028 9034 8160)
Links: NISRA press release (pdf)
Date: 2005-Oct
The population of the United Kingdom in mid-2004 was 59.8 million, a rise of 0.5 per cent (281,200) on a year earlier, compared to a 0.4 per cent increase between mid-2002 and mid-2003. This was in line with population projections that the UK population would reach 60 million by mid-2005.
Source: Press release 25 August 2005, Office for National Statistics (0845 601 3034)
Links: ONS press release (pdf)
Date: 2005-Aug
The Office for National Statistics began consultation on topics for possible inclusion in the 2011 Census for England and Wales.
Source: The 2011 Census: Initial view on content for England and Wales, Office for National Statistics (0845 601 3034)
Links: Consultation document (pdf) | ONS press release (pdf) | Guardian report
Date: 2005-May
Scotland's population was estimated to have been 5,078,400 on 30 June 2004 - an increase of 21,000 from 2003, and an increase of 23,600 since mid-2002.
Source: Mid-2004 Population Estimates: Scotland, General Register Office for Scotland (0131 314 4243)
Links: Report (pdf) | GROS press release
Date: 2005-Apr
An article said that fertility levels in England and Wales had been below the level needed to replace the population for around 30 years. But the population was still experiencing natural increase (more births than deaths); and given the existing level of fertility and improving mortality rates, the population would not see any natural reduction for another 30 years.
Source: Steve Smallwood and Jessica Chamberlain, 'Replacement fertility, what has it been and what does it mean?', Population Trends 119, Spring 2005, Office for National Statistics, Palgrave Macmillan (01256 329242)
Links: Article (pdf) | ONS press release (pdf)
Date: 2005-Mar
An article examined techniques for estimating the size of a range of different sub-populations in the absence of Censuses or surveys, and the potential difficulties associated with them.
Source: Michael Bloor, 'Population estimation without Censuses or surveys', Sociology, Volume 39 Issue 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2005-Feb
The statistics watchdog published a report presenting general lessons for the future of the Census and population estimates, incorporating its final report on the problems experienced during the 2001 Census in Westminster. It said that the 2001 Census overall produced more robust estimates than its most recent predecessors.
Source: Census and Population Estimates and The 2001 Census in Westminster: Final report, Report 22, Statistics Commission (020 7273 8008)
Links: Report (pdf) | StatComm press release (pdf)
Date: 2005-Jan
An article said that findings from the 2001 Census and the spring 2001 Labour Force Survey compared closely at an overall level. The LFS found 2 per cent more economically active people, and 7 per cent fewer economically inactive people, than did the 2001 Census: but much of the difference was because some types of communal establishments were not included in the LFS for example, nursing homes and prisons.
Source: Daniel Heap, 'Comparison of 2001 Census and Labour Force Survey labour market indicators', Labour Market Trends, January 2005, Office for National Statistics, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Article (pdf) | ONS press release (pdf)
Date: 2005-Jan