Use this page to explore London's population, and how it has changed over the decades. To explore data on poverty and inequality by different demographics, visit here.
London's population over time (1931-2035)
London’s population has changed dramatically over the past century. This indicator shows how many people lived in London throughout the decades, and how the population is likely to change in the future.
1939-1991: Post-war falling population
In 1939, 8.6 million people lived in the capital. Over the following decades, the population fell steadily to 6.8 million in 1991.The fall was most pronounced in Inner London, which saw its population reduce by almost half over 50 years.
1991-2035: Growing population
London’s population has been recovering since the early 1990s. In 2022, a new high of 8.9 million people lived in the city.
This growth has been seen in both Inner and Outer London - although Inner London is still 1.4 million short of its peak, in 1931. By 2035, London’s population is expected to increase to a total population of 9.6 million.
Data source: Mid-year population estimates, ONS (2023). Population of the UK by country of birth and nationality, 2021 Census. Ethnic group populations, 2021 Census.
Last updated: November 2024
Next estimated update: November 2025
What’s this?
This table shows London’s population, split by geography. It also shows how each region’s population has changed in the last decade, its population density, the proportion of people that are Black or minority ethnic, and the proportion that were born outside of the UK.
(Note: The map at the bottom of the page shows which boroughs make up London’s sub-regions of Central, East, North, South and West).
What does it tell us?
Population change
Around 8.9 million people live in London, which had overall growth since 2013 of 5.7% - slightly lower than the rest of England’s growth of 6.7%. This growth was stronge…
Population proportions by age-groups (2023 and 2013)
Last updated: January 2025
Next estimated update: December 2025
What’s this indicator?
This indicator shows the proportion of London and the rest of England’s population that is in each age group. We can use it to see the age of the population in London (split into Inner and Outer London) and the Rest of England, and how this has changed in the last 10 years.
What does it tell us?
London’s population is, in general, younger than the rest of England. This is especially the case in Inner London, where more than one in 5 people (23.5%) are aged between 25 and 34. This compares to just 12.7% of those in the rest of England. More broadly, in Inner London, almost half the population is made up out of those who are in their early twenties to early forties (48%), compared to the rest of England where three in 10 (31.5%) are in this age group.
This is …
Births and deaths in London (2012-2023)
Last updated: February 2025
Next estimated update: August 2025
What's this indicator?
This indicator shows the number of births and deaths in London every year. It helps us to understand how London's population is changing.
What does it tell us?
Each year, more people are born in London than die. Approximately 105,000 babies were born in 2023 and nearly 54,000 people died.
Pre-COVID, deaths of Londoners were at a fairly stable level around 50,000 per year. This jumped to 59,000 in the pandemic year of 2020. In 2021 and 2022 it looked like the numbers were gradually returning to pre-pandemic levels, however a small uptick in 2023 to 54,000 could suggest it is finding a new slightly higher post-pandemic level.
This isn't the case for births, which have consistently decreased in London in this time. In 2012, 134,000 babies were born in London - me…