London’s population soars to an all-time record, new data shows
LONDON is now home to more people than at any time in its history, with the capital’s population set to grow by more than a quarter by 2050.
There are 8.63m people living in the capital now, compared with 8.61m at its previous peak in 1939, according to figures published yesterday by the Greater London Authority (GLA).
The Second World War and changes to social structures caused London to lose almost a quarter of its population to 6.7m people by 1988. London’s population has since increased by almost 2m, with the number of people living in the capital set to reach 11m by 2050.
London Mayor Boris Johnson put the boom down to “a thriving economy” and low crime rate.
“What we need now is the government to grant greater fiscal devolution to London so that we can properly fund the key infrastructure that is so vital to stimulate jobs,” he said.