London saw a population decline in five areas out of 12 across the country in 2024, according to fresh statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This comes as the population of England and Wales was estimated to be 61.8 million in mid-2024, an increase of 706,881 from 61.1 million in mid-2023.

This represents the second-largest year-on-year numerical rise in population since at least 1949, according to comparable ONS data. However, while most of England and Wales saw a population increase, 12 council areas experienced a decline in residents - with almost half of these in London.

The affluent London borough of Kensington and Chelsea recorded the largest population decrease last year, with a drop of 1.4 per cent, equating to a net loss of 1,981 people. This was primarily

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