Government figures suggest the UK population could reach nearly 74m as soon as 2036, largely attributed to rising net migration.

This is likely to trigger much higher demand for rental property unless housebuiulding volumes increase significantly, and rapidly.

The Office for National Statistics projects the population will soar by 6.6m between 2021 (its most recent authoritative figure) and 2036. This includes a net migration of 6.1m people along with some 500,000 more births than deaths.

By 2036 the ONS anticipates that 10.8 people will be born in the UK and 10.3m will die; meanwhile 13.7m people will immigrate long term to the UK but only 7.6m will emigrate long term from this country. 

The ONS’s projections also show an increasing number of older people in the UK. By 2036, the proportion of the UK population aged 85 years and over is projected to increase from 1.6m or 2.5 per cent of the total population to 2.6m or 3.5 per cent.

Specifically the forecast suggests that from 2028 net migration will contribute 315,000 extra people to the UK per year, larger than the population of Plymouth.

James Robards of the ONS says: “Expert views and the latest data covering the last 10 years has led us to develop a long-term net migration assumption of 315,000 each year from year ending mid-2028 onwards.

“It is important to recognise that there is uncertainty in the provisional international migration estimates. Put simply, if migration comes down so will future projections.

“If net international migration were to be, say, 20 per cent higher than our long-term assumption, then it would be 379,000 per year. If it were to be 20 per cnet lower than our assumption, then it would be 253,000 per year.”

Home Secretary James Cleverly says: “I’ve been clear that migration is too high and we must get back to sustainable levels. Last year I set out robust measures to reduce the numbers coming into our country, tightening the rules on care workers, skilled workers and making sure that people can support their family members that they bring over.”

From March 11 this year there will be restrictions on foreign care workers bringing descendants into the UK while from April 4 the minimum salary required for those arriving on skilled worker visas will rise from £26,200 to £38,700 per year.