Reference: FOI-2024-1768
You asked
Please provide population statistics for males and females in the UK.
We said
Thank you for your freedom of information request.
According to the Population estimates for the UK, England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland: mid-2021, released on 21 December 22 the total UK population was:
- Total pop: 67,026,292
- Females: 34,214,835
- Males: 32,811,457
This is the the most up-to-date figure for the UK. The full release is linked here: Annual mid-year population estimates.
The mid-2021 population estimates for England, Wales and Northern Ireland are based on the 2021 censuses for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
For Scotland, the mid-2021 population estimates are rolled forward from mid-2020, as Scotland's census was moved to 2022 because of the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; this means that population estimates based on Scotland's Census 2022 are not yet available.
The mid-2022 estimates, including UK figures are due for publication in March (this date is provisional). As such, Section 22(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 applies, whereby information is exempt from release if there is a view to publish the information in the future. As a central government department and producer of official statistics, we need to have the freedom to be able to determine our own publication timetables. This is to allow us to deal with the necessary preparation, administration and context of publications. It would be unreasonable to consider disclosure when to do so would undermine our functions.
This exemption is subject to a public interest test. We recognise the desirability of information being freely available and this is considered by ONS when publication schedules are set in accordance with the Code of Practice for Statistics. The need for timely data must be balanced against the practicalities of applying statistical skill and judgement to produce the high quality, assured data needed to inform decision-making. If this balance is incorrectly applied, then we run the risk of decisions being based on inaccurate data which is arguably not in the public interest. This will have an impact on public trust in official statistics in a time when accuracy of official statistics is more important to the public than ever before.