Population in largest city in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Population in largest city was 9.84 million in 2025. ▲ Rising
Population in largest city in United Kingdom, 1960–2025
Source: World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
Analysis
The most recent figure for population in largest city in United Kingdom is 9.84 million, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 66 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.0% on the previous year and up 13.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in largest city in United Kingdom peaked at 9.84 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 6.70 million, in 1981.
United Kingdom ranks 23rd of 153 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 66 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 7.90 million | 7.58 million | 8.20 million | 10 |
| 1970s | 7.17 million | 6.82 million | 7.51 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 6.74 million | 6.70 million | 6.78 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 7.01 million | 6.79 million | 7.22 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 7.53 million | 7.27 million | 7.92 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 8.61 million | 8.04 million | 9.18 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 9.58 million | 9.30 million | 9.84 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More urban development data for United Kingdom
- Population in the largest city 17.0% (2025)
- Population density 283.25 people per sq. km of land area (2023)
- PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure 9.46 micrograms per cubic meter (2023)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million 19.05 million (2025)
- PM2.5 air pollution, population exposed to levels exceeding WHO guidel 66.5% (2017)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in largest city in United Kingdom?
- Population in largest city in United Kingdom was 9.84 million in 2025, according to World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
- What is the highest population in largest city recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 9.84 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest population in largest city recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 6.70 million in 1981.
- How does United Kingdom rank for population in largest city?
- United Kingdom ranks 23rd out of 153 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population in largest city rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is up 13.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
- The figures come from World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN), published as part of Population in largest city. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 66 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Population in largest city is the urban population living in the country's largest metropolitan area.