The population of England and Wales reached an estimated 61.8 million by mid-2024, marking a 1.2% increase from mid-2023. This growth, amounting to approximately 707,000 people, represents the second largest annual increase in 75 years. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) attributes the rise primarily to net international migration. Additionally, in the week ending July 18, 2025, there were 9,932 registered deaths in England and Wales, which was 7.2% lower than expected. Of these deaths, 10.9% involved influenza or pneumonia, while 0.6% involved COVID-19.