REVEALED: Four towns and cities in Britain hit by high levels of immigration in 2023 - is YOUR town one?
Middlesbrough has been named as one of the towns with the highest immigration influx, according to the ONS
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The United Kingdom's population has seen significant growth over the past few decades, primarily driven by immigration.
As of 2023, the population stands at approximately 67 million, marking a notable increase from previous years.
This growth is influenced by various factors, including natural increase (the difference between births and deaths) and net migration (the difference between the number of people entering and leaving the country).
Immigration has played a pivotal role in shaping the demographic landscape of the UK.
According to the ONS there were high levels of international migration across England and Wales, in certain areas in particular.
These were Middlesbrough, where net international migration for the year to mid-2023 was estimated to be 4.6% of the 2022 population, as well as Coventry (4.4%), Newham (4.0%), and Leicester (3.6%).
All but two local authorities, South Holland and Isles of Scilly, had a higher number of international immigrants than emigrants in the year to mid-2023.
Areas with the highest rates of population growth from mid-2022 to mid-2023 were City of London (17.5%), Cardiff (3.4%), and Preston (3.0%).
One feature many of the fastest growing local authorities in the year to mid-2023 have in common is the large increase in the number of people aged 20 to 29 years, according to the ONS.
Immigration has sparked debate about its impact on public services, housing, and social cohesion.
Many argue that high levels of immigration strain resources and create competition for jobs and services. Others contend that immigrants are essential for the economy, particularly in an aging society where the native-born population is declining.
Overall, while immigration has been a significant factor in the UK's population growth, it continues to be a complex and contentious issue with multifaceted impacts on society.