London's Population Falls for the First Time in 37 Years
London’s population has fallen for the first time in nearly four decades, according to new figures, as high living costs and changing work patterns drive people out of the capital. Around 420,000 people are reported to have left over the period, the first sustained decline since the late 1980s. The shift carries implications for the capital’s economy, housing and public services.
The reversal, if borne out, would mark a striking turn for a city that has grown almost without interruption for a generation, drawing people from across Britain and the world. The soaring cost of housing, the spread of remote and hybrid working, and the lingering effects of the pandemic have all been cited as pushing residents towards cheaper regions. A smaller London could ease some pressure on its strained housing and transport, but also erode the tax base of the country’s economic engine. The figures will feed the debate over regional balance. Watch whether the trend holds in official data.