Area selected: Yorkshire and the Humber
Population Population Density Population Growth
Land area
15,405 square kilometres
international migration
0.4%
Yorkshire and the Humber Population
The population of Yorkshire and the Humber is 5,526,350 according to mid-2020 population figures published by the ONS. Based on recent growth rates we estimate the current 2022 population of Yorkshire and the Humber to be 5,573,414. In the year between mid-2019 and mid-2020, the population in Yorkshire and the Humber grew by an estimated 23,383 people, and in the ten years prior to mid-2020, the population grew by 238,138. Compare population by area.
Yorkshire and the Humber's population growth rate between mid-2019 and mid-2020 was 0.4%, which is 0.1% lower than the average population growth rate in Yorkshire and the Humber for the ten years prior to mid-2020 (0.5%).
Yorkshire and the Humber covers an area of 15,405 square kilometres (5,948 square miles) and has a population density of 359 people per square kilometre (km2), based on the latest population estimates taken in mid-2020. That figure has increased by 15 people per km2 over the past decade.
Compared to England's figures
- Yorkshire and the Humber's population of 5,526,350 is equivalent to 9.8% of England's 56,550,138 total population. Yorkshire and the Humber is the 7th region in England (of 9 total) when ordered by total population.
- Yorkshire and the Humber's population growth rate of 0.42% is 0.04% lower than England's current population growth rate of 0.47%. Yorkshire and the Humber is the 6th region in England (of 9 total) when ordered by population growth rate.
- Yorkshire and the Humber's population density of 359 people per km2 is 75 people per km2 lower than England's 434 people per km2. Yorkshire and the Humber is the 5th Region in England (of 9 total) when ordered by population density.
What causes population change in Yorkshire and the Humber
Between mid-2019 and mid-2020, net internal migration out of Yorkshire and the Humber was 27, and net international migration into Yorkshire and the Humber was 22,649.
Yorkshire and the Humber's fertility rate (the total number of children that would be born to the average woman in Yorkshire and the Humber if she were to live to the end of her child-bearing years) of 1.56, and birth rate (the number of live births per thousand of population per year) of 10.4, led to population increases of 57,382 during the year, and Yorkshire and the Humber's death rate or mortality rate (the number of deaths per thousand of population per year) of 10.5 resulted in a 57,616 population decrease. In total, a net 234 person natural decrease.
Compared to figures for England
- Yorkshire and the Humber's fertility rate of 1.56 is 0.03 lower than England's fertility rate of 1.59
- Yorkshire and the Humber's birth rate of 10.4 births per thousand people is 0.3 lower than England's birth rate, and Yorkshire and the Humber's death rate or mortality rate of 10.5 people per thousand is 0.5 higher than England's death rate
- Yorkshire and the Humber's annual net international migration rate of 0.41% is below the English average of 0.4%
Historic Yorkshire and the Humber Population Change Components
During the past decade, internal migration has risen from a net outflow of 5,676 in 2011 to a net 27 outflow. International migration has risen from a net inflow of 22,558 in 2011 to an inflow of 22,649 in 2020.
The natural increase in population, due to births and deaths, has fallen from an annual net increase of 17,676 people in 2011 to -234 in 2020.
International migration was the largest driver of population change over the past decade, representing circa 63% of the total change in population.
Yorkshire and the Humber historic population from 2011 to 2020
Yorkshire and the Humber's population, population density, and population growth rate, over the past decade.
Figures reported by the ONS in 2021.
Yorkshire and the Humber forecast population from 2023 to 2043
Yorkshire and the Humber's forecast, population density, and population growth rate, over the next twenty years. Figures reported by the ONS in 2018.
The population of Yorkshire and the Humber is forecast to be 5,623,321 in 2025 and 5,705,872 in 2030.
Discover more
Areas near Yorkshire and the Humber
Areas in Yorkshire and the Humber
Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. Data sources: ONS Local statistics