This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7583776.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| UK population 'will be top in EU' | UK population 'will be top in EU' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The UK population is set to become the largest in the European Union, according to a report. | The UK population is set to become the largest in the European Union, according to a report. |
| It is expected to increase from its current figure of 61 million to almost 77 million in 2060 - a rise of 25%. | It is expected to increase from its current figure of 61 million to almost 77 million in 2060 - a rise of 25%. |
| This would make it the largest population in the EU, ahead of the projections for France (72 million) and Germany (71 million). | This would make it the largest population in the EU, ahead of the projections for France (72 million) and Germany (71 million). |
| The EU's statistical office Eurostat also predicts the EU population will reach 506m in 2060, from 495m in 2008. | |
| It is expected to peak at 521m in 2035 but then decline. | It is expected to peak at 521m in 2035 but then decline. |
| The report predicts the average age of the EU population will rise, due to "persistently low fertility and an increasing number of survivors to higher ages". | The report predicts the average age of the EU population will rise, due to "persistently low fertility and an increasing number of survivors to higher ages". |
| The proportion of the population aged 65 or above in the UK is projected to reach 24.7% in 2060, from 16.1% in 2008. | The proportion of the population aged 65 or above in the UK is projected to reach 24.7% in 2060, from 16.1% in 2008. |
| The number of Britons aged 80 or above is expected to reach 9% in 2060, compared with the current figure of 4.5%. | The number of Britons aged 80 or above is expected to reach 9% in 2060, compared with the current figure of 4.5%. |
| If the projection is correct, 42.1% of the UK's population would be above retirement age - that proportion is currently 24.3%. | |
| Ahead of the UK, the largest population growth within the EU is expected in Cyprus (+66%), Ireland (+53%), Luxembourg (+52%). | Ahead of the UK, the largest population growth within the EU is expected in Cyprus (+66%), Ireland (+53%), Luxembourg (+52%). |
| Strategy call | |
| A Home Office spokesman said: "Projections such as these are proof that we are right to be carrying out the biggest shake-up to the immigration system for a generation. | |
| "Centre-stage is our new Australian-style points-based system, which means only those we need can come here to work or study." | |
| Shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve said the figures showed it was "essential we develop a coherent strategy to deal with population growth". | |
| He added: "This strategy must bring together policy on issues from the family to border control, housing to skills and planning to immigration control. | |
| "We not only need to ensure that our population grows at a more sustainable rate but that we also prepare properly for that sustainable rate of growth. | |
| "The government have shown that they have no answers to the challenges we face by failing to plan for our increasing population - this makes them part of the problem, not the solution." |