Population Pyramids of the World from 1950 to 2100

United Kingdom Population Pyramid 1981

United Kingdom
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1981
Population: 56,304,591

Year

-5 -1   1981  +1 +5

Country

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
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Summary

United Kingdom in 1981

The population of the United Kingdom in 1981 was 56,304,592. Over the previous ten years the population grew by 0.7%, up from 55,890,372 in 1971.

The median age was 34.5 years, and for every 100 people of working age (15–64) there were 31.9 children under 15 and 23.4 people aged 65 or over. This is a stationary pyramid — similar numbers in each age group up to the older cohorts, the signature of near-replacement fertility.

Ranks #14 of 201 by population Ranks #9 of 201 by median age Ranks #194 of 201 by growth

Share of the population by age group, 1950–2100

Data source: United Nations World Population Prospects, 2024 revision (medium variant) — last updated July 2024.

Key indicators for United Kingdom
Population
56,304,592
Median age
34.5
0-14 %
20.6%
65+ %
15.1%
Child dependency
31.9
Old-age dependency
23.4
Region
EUROPE
Pyramid shape
Stationary
Population 2050
75,504,681
Population 2100
74,305,411
What is driving the change
Births per woman
Total fertility rate, 1960–2023
123
1960Replacement level (2.1)2023 · 1.56

The fertility rate of the United Kingdom was 1.56 births per woman in 2023, under the 2.1 needed to replace each generation.

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, latest available year.

Life expectancy at birth
Years, 1960–2023
Total Women Men
60708090
19602023 · 81.2

A child born there in 2023 could expect to live 81.2 years on average (83.2 years for girls, 79.4 for boys).

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, latest available year.

People supported per 100 workers
Dependency ratios, 1950–2100
Children Older adults
15304560
19502100
Migration to and from United Kingdom
Where immigrants come from (2024)

8,730,397 immigrants live in United Kingdom, 12.6% of the population.

India1,044,779
Poland902,193
Romania713,578
Pakistan703,309
Ireland360,446
Where emigrants live (2024)

4,751,880 people born in United Kingdom live in other countries.

Australia1,107,102
United States of America894,789
Canada427,526
Spain294,986
Ireland293,559
Explore
Immigration statistics Origin of migrant stocks map

Source: United Nations International Migrant Stock 2024.

How United Kingdom compares with its neighbours
Country Population Median age Relative size
United Kingdom 56,304,592 34.5
Sweden 8,320,458 36.5
Denmark 5,121,629 34.7
Finland 4,799,848 33.2
Norway 4,099,672 33.6
Frequently asked questions about United Kingdom's population
How many people lived in the United Kingdom in 1981?
In 1981, the United Kingdom's population was 56,304,592.
Is the United Kingdom's population growing or shrinking?
The United Kingdom's population grew 0.7% over the previous ten years, and is projected to reach 75,504,681 by 2050.
How old is the population of the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom's median age is 34.5 years.
How many children and older people live in the United Kingdom?
In the United Kingdom, 20.6% of people are under 15 and 15.1% are 65 or older.
What type of population pyramid does the United Kingdom have?
The United Kingdom has a stationary pyramid: cohort sizes are roughly even through the younger ages, reflecting fertility close to replacement level.

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