United Kingdom Population Live (2026)
The live population of the United Kingdom, updated every second — with births today, deaths today, growth rate and key facts about one of the most interesting countries on Earth.
The United Kingdom has an estimated population of about 68.3 million people in 2026 — 0.83% of the roughly 8.25 billion people on Earth, and the 21st largest of the 72 countries tracked on LiveHumans. The counter above starts from our 1 January 2026 estimate and adds births and subtracts deaths every second, using the United Kingdom's latest birth rate (10 per 1,000 people a year) and death rate (9.4 per 1,000).
Is the population of the United Kingdom growing?
Yes. Around 1,873 babies are born in the United Kingdom every day — about 78 an hour — while around 1,760 people die. That leaves a natural increase of roughly 112 people a day, or about 41,010 a year: a growth rate of 0.06% before migration. That is slow growth: the gap between births and deaths is narrow, and on current trends the United Kingdom is likely to see deaths overtake births within the next few decades unless birth rates recover.
A birth rate of 10 per 1,000 people is below the world average of about 16.9, reflecting smaller families, later marriage and higher costs of raising children. It ranks 48th of 72 for birth rate on LiveHumans.
Migration matters a lot here. The United Kingdom attracts large numbers of people from abroad, so its real population change is noticeably bigger than the natural increase shown on this page. Our counter shows births minus deaths only, which is why official figures that include migration can be higher.
Births and deaths in the United Kingdom
| Period | Births | Deaths | Net change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per minute | 1.3 | 1.2 | 0.1 |
| Per hour | 78 | 73 | 5 |
| Per day | 1,873 | 1,760 | 112 |
| Per week | 13,108 | 12,322 | 786 |
| Per year | 683,500 | 642,490 | 41,010 |
How crowded is the United Kingdom?
With about 68.3 million people living on 243,610 km², the United Kingdom has roughly 280.6 people per square kilometre. That is around 4.6 times the world average of about 61 per km², making it the 10th most densely populated of the 72 countries we track. High density puts pressure on housing, transport and farmland, but it also makes cities and services cheaper to run per person.
Life expectancy in the United Kingdom
A baby born in the United Kingdom today can expect to live about 81.3 years, compared with a world average of about 73.3. That is above the global average and ranks 22nd of the 72 countries we track. Want a personal estimate? Try our life expectancy calculator.
Income and population
The United Kingdom is a high-income country, with GDP of about $46,510 per person (19th of 72). Richer countries usually have low birth rates — people marry later, have fewer children, and live longer — and the United Kingdom fits that pattern.
The United Kingdom at a glance
| Fact | Value | Rank (of 72) |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026 est.) | 68,350,000 | 21 |
| Births per day | 1,873 | 31 |
| Deaths per day | 1,760 | 18 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 10 | 48 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 9.4 | 21 |
| Natural growth rate | 0.06% / year | 54 |
| Life expectancy | 81.3 years | 22 |
| Population density | 280.6 / km² | 10 |
| GDP per person | $46,510 | 19 |
| Area | 243,610 km² | — |
| Capital | London | — |
| Languages | English | — |
| Currency | Pound Sterling (£) | — |
Compare with other countries
See all countries on our population by country page, or watch the whole planet on the live world population counter.
How we calculate the United Kingdom's live population
No country counts its people every second, so this page is an estimate. We start from a population figure for 1 January 2026 based on United Nations and World Bank data, then use the United Kingdom's crude birth rate and crude death rate — the number of births and deaths per 1,000 people per year — to work out how many people are born and die each second. The counter simply adds those up in real time. Because migration is not included, and because rates change from year to year, treat the figure as a close estimate rather than an exact count.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the United Kingdom in 2026?
The population of the United Kingdom in 2026 is estimated at about 68.3 million people, which is around 0.83% of the world's population. The live counter on this page adds births and subtracts deaths every second.
How many babies are born in the United Kingdom every day?
About 1,873 babies are born in the United Kingdom every day — roughly 78 per hour, or 683,500 per year — based on a birth rate of 10 per 1,000 people.
How many people die in the United Kingdom every day?
About 1,760 people die in the United Kingdom every day — roughly 73 per hour, or 642,490 per year — based on a death rate of 9.4 per 1,000 people.
Is the population of the United Kingdom growing or shrinking?
Growing. Births exceed deaths by about 112 people a day, a natural growth rate of 0.06% a year before migration.
What is the life expectancy in the United Kingdom?
Life expectancy at birth in the United Kingdom is about 81.3 years, compared with a world average of about 73.3 years.
How accurate is this United Kingdom population counter?
It is a statistical estimate, not a live headcount. We start from a 1 January 2026 population estimate based on UN and World Bank data and apply the United Kingdom's annual birth and death rates second by second. Migration is not included, so official figures may differ slightly.
Last updated: 26 September 2026 · Estimates based on UN World Population Prospects and World Bank data.