· Most likely estimate is for 85 million within 75 years
· Official figures predict growth in immigration
THE GUARDIAN: Britain's population could almost double to 108 million within 75 years, according to government projections published yesterday.
The Office for National Statistics said that, based on high estimates of growth in immigration, fertility and longevity, the current population of 60.5 million could rise to 75 million by 2031 and 108.7 million by 2081.
But the projections drawn up by the Government Actuary's Department to help Whitehall plan pension and welfare provision also show that in a scenario of low fertility, low life expectancy and low migration, the population would increase to 66 million by 2056 and then dip to 63 million by 2081.
The ONS says its "principal projection", the one it thinks most likely, is that Britain's population will reach 71 million within 25 years, 78 million within 50 years and 85 million by 2081. Statisticians have tentatively estimated that 69% of Britain's future population growth is likely to come directly or indirectly from migration including a rising birth rate attributed to a growing number of young migrants. >>> By Alan Travis
DAILY MAIL:
Rising immigration could double population of Britain by 2081 By Steve Doughty
Mark Alexander
