About London

Key Points

• As a UK city, London is unique in both its scale and diversity.
• London's boroughs are 'cities' in their own right. The population of London accounts for about 15% of the total population of England and is more than seven times the size of Birmingham, the next largest city in the country.
• London's current population is still well below the levels seen in the 1950s and early 1960s.
• In 2007 (and in five of the six previous years), more people moved out of London than in.
• In 10 of London's 32 boroughs, the equivalent of half the current population moved in and out in the last 5 years.
• London's population has grown in recent years because of natural change – a high birth rate and a low death rate. The proportion of 16-29 year olds is far higher in Inner than Outer London, which is in turn higher than the rest of the country. In addition, Inner London has a far lower proportion aged over 60 than either Outer London or the rest of England.