population
Population changes in the Greater West of England, 1991-2024
This data insight describes population levels and population change in the Greater West of England using mid-year population estimates from 1991 to 2024.
The Greater West of England is a bespoke geography defined here as Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire.
The analysis presents long-term population trends, annual and five-year population change, and the distribution of population by age group across the Greater West of England. It also compares population change in the Greater West of England with England and selected combined authority areas.
Population estimates are based on mid-year population estimates by administrative area, age and sex.
+29.06%
Increase in the population of the Greater West of England, 1991-2024
1.28%
Population increase in the Greater West of England, 2023-2024
183,536
Population aged 30 to 34 in the Greater West of England, the largest age group in 2024
+11,912
Increase in the population aged 65 and over in the Greater West of England, 2023–2024
Population of the Greater West of England since 1991
This visualisation shows the total resident population of the Greater West of England between 1991 and 2024.
The population increased steadily over the period, from 2.06 million in 1991 to 2.66 million in 2024. Growth was recorded in every year shown, with the total population increasing by around 600,000 over the period.
The largest year-on-year increases were recorded in the mid-2000s and again after 2021. Population growth slowed in 2020, before increasing in subsequent years.
Annual population growth in the Greater West of England and England since 1991
This visualisation compares annual population growth rates in the Greater West of England and England between 1991 and 2024.
Across much of the period, annual population growth in the Greater West of England was higher than that recorded for England. Growth rates in the Greater West of England exceeded 1.0% in several years, including 2005, 2007, 2015, 2016, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
In 2020, population growth slowed in both geographies. In 2024, the population of the Greater West of England increased by 1.28%, compared with 1.19% for England.
Population change by age group in the Greater West of England, 1991-2024
This visualisation shows the resident population of the Greater West of England by five-year age group. The view can be changed to show different years between 1991 and 2024.
In 2024, the largest age group was people aged 30 to 34 (183,536), followed by people aged 35 to 39 (183,510) and people aged 55 to 59 (175,308).
Between 2023 and 2024, the largest increases were for people aged 35 to 39 (+4,840), people aged 60 to 64 (+4,513), and people aged 15 to 19 (+4,335). Over the same period, the largest decreases were for people aged 50 to 54 (-3,598) and people aged 55 to 59 (-1,521).
Between 2019 and 2024, increases were recorded in most age groups. The largest increases were for people aged 75 to 79 (+24,871) and people aged 60 to 64 (+23,403). Over the same period, decreases were recorded for people aged 45 to 49 (-15,111) and people aged 50 to 54 (-12,063).
Population change by age band across local authority areas in the Greater West of England
This visualisation shows the resident population change of the Greater West of England by broad age band and local authority area, using mid-year population estimates from 1991 to 2024. The default view shows change between 2023 and 2024.
Between 2023 and 2024, population change varied across age bands and local authority areas. In Bristol, the largest increases were recorded among those aged 16 to 24 and those aged 25 to 34. In Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, the largest increases were recorded among those aged 65 and over.
In North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Swindon, increases were largest among those aged 35 to 49. Changes among younger age groups were smaller and varied across areas.
Over the five-year period from 2019 to 2024, increases were recorded in most local authority areas among people aged 65 and over. By contrast, changes in the population aged 0 to 15 were smaller and varied across areas, with increases recorded in some areas and decreases in others. Population change among those aged 25 to 34 and 35 to 49 also differed by local authority.
In 2024, population levels differed across age bands and local authority areas. In Bristol, relatively higher population counts were recorded among those aged 25 to 34 and 16 to 24. In Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, higher population counts were recorded among those aged 50 to 64 and those aged 65 and over. North Somerset and South Gloucestershire also recorded relatively higher populations in older age bands compared with younger age groups.
This visualisation allows users to explore population patterns across age bands for individual local authority areas and to compare changes over time by selecting different years between 1991 and 2024.
Figures are based on mid-year population estimates and reflect resident population counts for each local authority and age group.
