- London was the only region in England to see its population fall last year, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
- The capital's population fell by 0.3% in 2025 compared with 2024, while every other region recorded growth.
- This was the first time London's population had decreased since 2021.
- More than two-thirds of London's boroughs (23 out of 33) saw their populations shrink.
- The biggest falls were in Camden (down 1.8%), Westminster (down 1.5%) and Southwark (down 1.5%).
- London's population decline comes against a backdrop of slower population growth across England and Wales, with net migration to the UK continuing to fall from record levels seen in 2023.
- The population of England and Wales was estimated to be 62 million in mid-2025, with an annual growth rate of 0.4%, the lowest since 2020.
- Net international migration to the UK fell sharply to 211,700 in the year to mid-2025, down from 612,500 in the previous 12 months.
- There were 588,000 births and 568,400 deaths in England and Wales, resulting in a natural population change of just 19,600 people.
- The number of births in England and Wales was the lowest since mid-1978, while the number of deaths was the lowest since mid-2019.
- Despite recording more births than deaths, London's population decline was 'more than offset by net outward migration to other areas of the UK', according to the ONS.
London's population fell by 0.3% in 2025, the first decline since 1988, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The capital's population is now 9,122,909, down from 9,149,646 in 2024.12789
More than two-thirds of London's boroughs (23 out of 33) experienced population shrinkage, with the largest declines in Camden (down 1.8%), Westminster (down 1.5%), and Southwark (down 1.5%).45
This decline occurs amid a backdrop of slower population growth across England and Wales, where the overall population increased by 0.4% to 62 million.6
The ONS noted that net international migration to the UK has sharply decreased, falling to 211,700 in the year to mid-2025, down from 612,500 the previous year.
Despite London recording more births than deaths, with 588,000 births and 568,400 deaths, the net outward migration to other areas of the UK has offset this growth.10
The population decline in London is significant as it reflects broader trends in migration and demographic changes affecting urban centers in the UK.
“London's population fell by 0.3% in 2025, marking the first decrease since 2021, with Camden and Westminster experiencing the largest declines. This decline occurs amid a broader slowdown in population growth across England and Wales, as net international migration to the UK sharply fell to 211,700.”
