The East of England had the second fastest growing population in England and this is projected to continue. Net migration into the region was at the highest rate of all the English regions.
The total population was 5.9 million in mid-2011, 11% of the population of England.
The region had the second highest percentage increase in population between 2001 and 2011 of all regions in England at 8.6%, compared with the England average of 7.4%. This is similar to the East Midlands (8.3%) but less than London (12.0%).
The interim 2011-based projections suggest the region may have almost 6.5 million residents by 2021 – 10.2% more than in 2011. This is the second largest projected increase of the English regions, compared with the England increase of 8.6%. Past and projected future growth is mainly concentrated around commuter routes in Cambridgeshire, and in north and west Essex, through to Norwich local authority in Norfolk.
In 2010 the net rate of total migration into the region was the highest among all the English regions, increasing the population by 76 people per 10,000 residents. Two-thirds of this was due to international migration.
In mid-2011, 17.6% of East of England residents were aged 65 and over, a similar proportion to most other regions outside London and higher than the England average of 16.4%. The projections suggest that by 2021 this percentage will rise to 20.3% compared with the England average of 18.7%.
The population density of 300 residents per sq km in mid-2011 was below the England average of 400. It was highest in Luton unitary authority with 4,700 people per sq km and lowest in the Norfolk local authority districts of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk, and Breckland, each with 100 people per sq km.
Source: Office for National Statistics
Notes and sources:
The data section of this release (454.5 Kb Excel sheet) provides more Population and Migration data. Office for National Statistics is the source for the data.
Population estimates and projections are based on the 2011 Census. The mid-2011 population estimates are those published on 25 September 2012 and the interim 2011-based subnational population projections were published on 28 September 2012.
Migration data are for calendar years. The latest calendar year for which both interregional and international migration are available is 2010. Interregional migration data were published on 17 October 2011 and international migration data were published on 24 November 2011. An interactive map of Internal Migration in England and Wales by Local Authority allows you to view ONS migration estimates for England & Wales as a ‘flow map’ drawing lines on the map to represent movements of migrants between areas of the country. The map requires a web browser capable of supporting HTML5 content – for example, Internet Explorer 9+, Firefox, Chrome, Safar and iOS5+/Android3+ mobile devices.
The 2011 Census provides a wealth of information for local areas. In particular you may be interested in:
2001 vs 2011 – Population and Age – interactive map allows you to find your area’s average age, population density and more
2011 Census area comparison tool – interactive tool allows the comparison of any 2 areas in England and Wales using 2011 Census population estimates and also provides a visual summary of change since 2001. Note – Requires Adobe Flash v10 or above
Census population and change – interactive map allows you to find the population density and change in population in your area since 2001
Details of the policy governing the release of new data are available by visiting www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/assessment/code-of-practice/index.html or from the Media Relations Office email: media.relations@ons.gsi.gov.uk