Population by age

Introduction

The mid-2025 population estimates for LA (local authority)  areas in England and Wales were released on 29 July 2026, along with revised estimates for previous years. Estimates for smaller geographies are currently available for dates up to mid-2024, with the mid-2025 release scheduled for late 2026.

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 percentages calculated from them are not based on rounded figures.

Note: The North East Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA) was previously known as North East Combined Authority (CA), pre-May 2026.

North East population latest

North East age profile

Age profile comparisons

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. The initial release includes estimates for local authority (LA) areas and larger geographies. A second release provides estimates for smaller geographies about four months after the first.

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.

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.

Further information

Links to sources, other datasets and methodology.