Mid year estimates of the population: 2020

The mid-year estimates refer to the population on 30 June of the reference year and are published annually.

They are the official set of population estimates for the UK and its constituent countries, the regions and counties of England, and local authorities in Wales and their equivalents in other countries.

This headline is based on the mid-2020 population estimates for UK, England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Main points

• On 30 June 2020 there were estimated to be 3,170,000 people living in Wales, an increase of 0.5% (16,700) on mid-2019.
• There were estimated to be more people aged 65 or over living in Wales (669,000) than children aged 0 to 15 (563,000).
• People aged 65 or over are estimated to account for just over a fifth (21%) of the total population in Wales in mid-2020, the highest proportion of all UK countries.
• It is estimated that the population increased in 21 of the 22 local authorities in Wales between mid-2019 and mid-2020.
• The highest estimated percentage increase is in the Vale of Glamorgan, with an increase of 1.3% (1,700) on mid-2019.
• Swansea is the only authority to have a decrease (0.2%) in their population estimates between mid-2019 and mid-2020.

These are the first population estimates to show impacts from the pandemic. However, these estimates refer to population as at 30 June 2020, meaning that they only account for the first 3 months of the pandemic.

Future releases of the population estimates will provide information on the impact from mid-2020 to mid-2021

It should be noted that there are some definitional changes (particularly affecting the migration components) compared to last year’s data and it is advised users read the Quality and Methodology Information section on the ONS website.

Note

As agreed with the Office for Statistics Regulation, these statistics will be updated at 12.30pm on the day of release by ONS. StatsWales tables will follow in due course.