6.1.1

The UK

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Population Structure in the UK

The population of the UK is unevenly distributed and has grown at different rates depending on location.

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Population changes

  • The population grew from 56 million to 63 million between 1981 and 2011 (2018 estimate is 66.6 million), but not equally in all regions.
    • There has been minimal growth in the north and north-east (including Scotland), some growth in the Midlands and strong growth in the south and south-east (including London).
  • This pattern reflects the economic prosperity of the regions, with the de-industrialised north losing out to the service sector economy of the south.
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Rural/urban

  • Remote rural areas have experienced population decline, as have some inner cities.
  • Suburban, rural–urban fringe and accessible rural areas have seen population growth.
  • Older (65+) people tend to live more in rural areas.
  • The percentage of over-65s in inner-city areas is low.
  • Suburban places have a high number of 0-15-year-olds.
  • There is less variation in where you would find 0-15-year-olds than in the over-65s.

Population dynamics

Growth and decline of populations are affected by birth and death rate and migrations. There is a difference in population dynamics between rural and urban areas.

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Growth and decline

  • The relationship between birth rate and death rate determines whether a population grows (more births than deaths) or declines (more deaths than births).
  • Many remote rural areas have declining populations due to these natural factors, whereas many urban areas have growing populations.
  • Migration (both internal and international) also has an impact.
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Rural/urban

  • Rural areas tend to have high levels of internal out-migration and low levels of international migration (outward and inward).
  • Urban areas tend to have high levels of internal in-migration and high levels of international migration (outward and inward).

Jump to other topics

1Tectonic Processes & Hazards

2Option 2A: Glaciated Landscapes & Change

3Option 2B: Coastal Landscapes & Change

4Globalisation

5Option 4A: Regenerating Places

6Option 4B: Diverse Places

7The Water Cycle & Water Insecurity (A2 only)

8The Carbon Cycle & Energy Security (A2 only)

9Superpowers (A2 only)

10Option 8A: Health & Human Rights (A2 only)

11Option 8B: Migration & Identity (A2 only)

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