UK population increases by 500,000, official figures show

UK population increases by 500,000, official figures show

See: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-33266792

The UK population grew by almost half a million last year to 64,596,800,according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.

The “above average” increase of 491,100 from mid-2013 to mid-2014 included net migration adding 259,700 to population growth, the ONS figures show.

This was more than “natural growth” – births minus deaths – which added 226,200.

The ONS said a quarter of births were to mothers born outside the UK.

The overall number of births was down compared with the previous year, continuing a downward trend seen since a peak in mid-2012.