The mid-2024 population estimates for LA (local authority) areas in England and Wales were released on 30 July 2025, along with revised mid-2022 and mid-2023 estimates.
Information about the methodology is included in the "about the data" section of this report. This highlights that the estimates represent the "usually-resident population". Although these statistics are estimates rather than counts, they are not published to the nearest 100 or 1,000, as is often the case for estimates. This ensures that rates calculated from them are not based on rounded figures.
Local population estimates for Scotland and Northern Ireland are not included in the latest release so national comparisons in this report are with England rather than the UK.
The North East population in 2024
2.048m
mid-2024 population, North East CA (combined authority) area
Estimated as 2,047,820.
Largest populations by
single year of age:
21, 20, 19, 59, 60, 61, 58, 62.
> 1/4
lived in County Durham in 2024 (26% of the total)
Just over 16% in Northumberland,
almost 16% in Newcastle,
14% in Sunderland, 11% in North Tyneside,
10% in Gateshead, 7% in South Tyneside.
27%
of Northumberland's population aged 65+ (North East's largest %)
also has largest % aged 50-64.
Largest % aged 0-15: South Tyneside,
largest % aged 16-24, 25-34: Newcastle,
largest % aged 35-49: North Tyneside.
5th
highest population among England's 15 combined authority areas
5th highest % aged 65+,
3rd lowest % of children,
% aged 16-24 and 50-64
both above the CA area median.
Recent population change
+85,800
Five year North East population growth
Mid-2019 to mid-2024.
+78,700 in latest three years,
more than double that in previous 27.
Recent growth rates above England's.
+22,400
Five year population growth for 75-79 age group
Highest total among North East age groups,
includes people born from 1945 to 1949.
Next highest growth: aged 40-44, 15-19.
Decreases in 45-54 and 70-74 age groups.
+23,500
Newcastle's five year population growth
+19,400 in County Durham.
Largest increases by age and LA area:
65+ in Northumberland and Durham,
16-24 in Durham and Newcastle.
+4.4%
Five year % increase in North East population
Higher than England increase (4.3%),
seventh highest among 15 English CA areas.
Newcastle with highest % increase (7.9%),
Followed by Sunderland (5.2%).
Components of population change
+79,900
Five year net international migration
North East, 2019-24.
Net internal migration: +39,300,
natural change: -25,100
(deaths subtracted from births).
-10,100
Births, 2019-24 compared to 2014-19
North East deaths were 9,900 higher.
International in-migration
was 54,400 higher than in 2014-19;
international out-migration, 9,100 lower.
+29,300
Newcastle's five year net international migration
2019-24: Highest in the North East,
second: Sunderland (+18,700).
Highest net internal migration: Durham,
second: Northumberland.
79%
of net international migration: people aged under-35.
North East, 2019-24.
Only 3% aged 50 plus; 52% male.
36% of net internal migration: 16-24s,
25% aged 50-64; 55% female.
About the data
The annual ONS mid-year estimates of the resident population of England and Wales are usually published about 12 months after the date they refer to. Although these official statistics are unrounded, they are estimates rather than counts and are subject to a degree of uncertainty.
Currently, these estimates are based on the census, which takes place every ten years. The estimates are updated each year using a cohort component method. This uses the most reliable available data sources to estimate components of population change. The three major components are natural change, migration, and special populations.
As well as updating the ages in the previous dataset by a year, natural change estimates use recorded birth and death datasets to update the population. Estimates of internal migration (from other parts of the UK) and international migration rely on a range of administrative datasets, because the UK has no mandatory or comprehensive population registration. Estimates of changes in special populations such as armed forces and prisoners also use administrative data.
The estimates refer to the usually resident population, an internationally agreed definition. This includes only people who reside in a country for 12 months or more, with visitors and short-term migrants excluded. international migrants are usually resident if they intend to stay in England and Wales for more than 12 months.
For a few groups of people, the usual residence is defined using specific rules. For example, higher education students and schoolchildren studying away from home are considered usually resident at their term-time address, while members of the armed forces are usually resident at the address where they spend most of their time.
The mid-year estimates are accompanied by admin-based population estimates (ABPE) produced using a methodology that is being developed to replace the current one. The ABPEs are not yet official estimates.
Further information
Links to sources, other datasets and methodology.
Population homepage
The hub's population landing page. Includes links to other data reports about population.
Population estimates for England and Wales (source)
The annual statistical bulletin containing national and local mid-year estimates and related information.
Nomis website (source)
An official site that allows users to download local area statistics in customised datasets.
Population estimates methodology guide
The official ONS guide to how the annual estimates are compiled.