Lesson video

Hello, my name is Mrs. Hastings, and welcome to today's citizenship lesson.

Today's lesson is titled, "How is the UK population changing?" And it comes from the unit, "How is UK Society diverse and changing?" So we're gonna be looking at some of the population changes and thinking about the impact that that might have.

So I'm looking forward to taking you through today's lesson and on the learning journey you're about to embark on.

Good luck with that and let's get started.

So the learning outcome for today's lesson is that you will be able to analyse how the UK population is changing and describe the possible impacts on society.

There are some important ground rules for this lesson, which I'm going to take you through now.

Firstly, Laura says, "Listen to others.

It is okay to disagree with each other, but we should listen properly before making assumptions or deciding how to respond.

When disagreeing, challenge the statement not the person." Andeep says, "Respect privacy.

We can discuss examples, but do not use names or descriptions that identify anyone, including ourselves." As Jacob says, there should be no judgement.

We can explore beliefs and misunderstandings about a topic without fear of being judged.

And lastly, Izzy says, "Choose the level of participation.

Everyone has the right to choose not to answer a question or join a discussion.

We never put anyone on the spot." So the keywords for today's lesson are population.

That means all the inhabitants of a particular place or region.

And society, the people living together in an ordered community.

So there's two parts to our learning today.

The first learning cycle, what factors are changing the UK's population? And secondly, what is the impact of these population changes? So let's get going with our first learning cycle.

What factors are changing the UK's population? Alex asked the question, "How do we know how many people live in the UK, and who they are?" Well, the answer to that question is that every 10 years, the UK government orders what's called a census, and a census basically asks everyone in the UK questions about their lives.

This gives us a big picture of who lives here.

And in between censuses, government also uses surveys and official records, like GP signups or school registration data, to keep track.

These methods help us to estimate how the population is changing, but it's really important to say that no method is perfect.

No method of surveys or questionnaires is absolutely perfect.

So since the 1950s, the UK population has grown steadily, increasing from about 50 million in 1951 to approximately 69.

5 million in 2025.

Since the 1990s, net migration, that means the number of people moving to the UK, taking away, minusing the number of people who move out, who immigrate from the UK, has become the main reason for this increase.

The UK's population is projected to continue growing, though at a slower pace.

The birth rate, for example, is in decline, and the number of babies that women are having has decreased.

So what does this mean? Well, firstly, we need to look at how our population is diverse.

So one area in which we are diverse is through age.

Age is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.

The proportion of the UK's population aged 65 and over was 18.

6% in 2021.

This is higher than in 2011.

So the census showed there had been a change and an increase.

This is projected to increase to 24.

7% by 2046.

But why is the UK's population ageing? Well, firstly, we have higher life expectancy due to improved healthcare.

We have better nutrition.

So that means that we know what foods are good for us and we can eat more healthily, and we understand nutrition better.

We have highest living standards than in the past and we have a lower birth rate.

So by having a lower birth rate, it means we have what's called an ageing population.

So we have a top-heavy population of older people.

So, true or false? Let's check your understanding.

The UK has an ageing population.

Is that true or false? That is true.

Why? Because the proportion of the UK's population aged 65 and over was 18.

6% in 2021, and this is projected to increase to 24.

7% by 2046.

So well done if you got that right.

So another way in which the UK's population is changing, is through religion.

The landscape of religion in the UK is changing, and this is shown in the census.

Again, religion is a protected characteristic under Equality 2010 Act.

And Article 9 of the Human Rights Act in 1998 protects the fundamental right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.

So it's very much protected characteristic.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948 states that everyone has the freedom to follow or not follow a religion.

So the census data tells us that religion has changed between 2011 and 2021.

So the 10-year gap between those censuses.

So for the first time in 2021, we can see that Christianity is not a majority religion.

What does the data tell us? How does the data tell us that? Think about that for a second.

So the data tells us that, because in 2011, 59.

3% of people identified on the census as Christian.

However, in 2021, that dropped 46.

2%, which is under 50%.

So that means that more people don't identify as Christian than do.

Let's have a look at the rest of the data.

Is there anything else in that data that tells us that there is changing diversity of religion? Have a think.

Well, hopefully, you've identified that the number of people who are identifying as having no particular religion has increased from 25.

2% to 37.

2%.

Equally, the number of people who identify as Muslim and Hindu has also increased.

So there is some really useful and interesting information in that data.

So just to summarise that then, the census data tells that there has been a decrease in those identifying as Christian, an increase in those identifying as Muslim, Hindu, or other religions, and an increase in people saying that they follow no religion.

So why is the religious landscape changing in the UK? Reasons might include, migration, conversions, people changing from one religion to another or having no religion and then converting to a religion, and increasing secularisation.

So secularisation, as Alex explains here, is the process by which religion becomes less influential in society.

So maybe the data is saying that, actually, more people identifying as no religion.

So that increase in no religion shows that we are becoming more secular, religion is less influential.

So the following sentence contains two mistakes.

Can you find and fix them? The census data shows an increase in those identifying as Christian and a decrease in those identifying as Muslim, Hindu, or other religions, as well as those with no religion.

So what are the two mistakes in that sentence? So the two mistakes were, that the census data shows a decrease, not an increase, in those identifying as Christian, and an increase, not a decrease, in those identifying as Muslim, Hindu, or other religions, as well as those with no religion.

So well done if you got that right.

Another way the UK's population is changing, is through ethnicity.

So 2021 census showed that the UK have become more ethnically diverse.

There is a growth in the number of people with dual heritage.

So that means one or more.

Sorry, more than one heritage, and maybe multiple ethnic identities reflecting families where parents have a range of ethnic backgrounds.

Households consisting of members identifying with two or more different ethnic groups increase from 10.

1% in 2021, which was an increase from 8.

7% in 2011.

The census data also tells us that 81.

7% of people identified their ethnic group as White British, down from 86% in 2011.

9.

3% of people identified as Asian or Asian British, up from 7.

5% in 2011.

2.

5% of people identified as Black, Black British, Caribbean or African, up from 1.

8% in 2011.

So another way that the UK's population is changing, is through national identity.

The 2021 census found these changes.

54.

8% chose a British-only national identity in 2021, which was a rise from 19.

1% in 2011, which is a really interesting statistic.

Why are people identifying as British? The opposite trend was seen for the English-only identity.

So on the census, you could choose British or you could choose English, Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish, and there were other nationalities as well.

So the English-only identity fell from 14.

9% in 2021, from 57.

7% in 2011.

So a massive drop.

The number of people identifying as having a UK national identity and a non-UK national identity increased to 2% from 0.

9% in 2011.

So a small increase, but an increased number nonetheless, of people identifying as having dual national identity.

Those selecting a non-UK identity only rose to 9.

7%, from 8% of the population in 2011.

So which statement best reflects the trend in ethnic diversity in the UK according to the 2021 census? A, the percentage of people identifying as White British increased, showing a decline in ethnic diversity.

B, there was no significant change in the ethnic makeup of the UK population between 2011 and 2021.

C, the UK has become more ethnically diverse, with increases in Asian, Black, and mixed-ethnicity households.

Or D, dual heritage and multiple identities have decreased, leading to fewer mixed-ethnicity households.

So which of those statements is the one that best reflects the trend in the data from 2021 census? Correct answer is C.

So well done if you correctly identified that the statement which best reflects the trend in ethnic diversity in the UK according to 2021 census is that the UK has become more ethnically diverse with increases in Asian, Black, and mixed-ethnicity households.

Disability is another factor that is a protected characteristic and tells us how the UK's population is changing.

So the Equality Act defines an individual as disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on their ability to do normal day-to-day activities.

So, obviously, things like going to work, going to school, et cetera.

The Department for Work and Pensions indicates that 16.

1 million people in the UK had a disability in 2023.

This represents 24% of the total population, up from 19% in 2013.

And this could be due to a number of different factors, but obviously, the COVID-19 pandemic and long COVID might be a part of the explanation for that.

Those reporting having a disability rises with age.

So again, the fact that we are an ageing population, and the number of older people living in the UK has increased.

It's another reason why those registered as disabled has increased.

In 2023, around 11% of children, 23% of working-age adults and 45% of adults over the age of 65 in the UK reported having a disability.

More people in the UK are reporting having a disability, particularly mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.

This increase may be due to better recognition of these conditions and reduced stigma around seeking help.

We talk a lot more about mental health and that's become a really important conversation, though there may also be genuine increases in some cases.

So let's check our understanding of the disability changes.

Which of the following best describes the data trend on disability in the UK? A, the proportion of people with disabilities in the UK has decreased since 2013, especially among older adults.

B, the number of people with disabilities has increased since 2013, with older adults most likely to identify as disabled.

C, disability rates are highest among working-age adults and lowest among those over 65.

And D, children in the UK now make up the largest proportion of people with disabilities.

So which of those best describes the data trend on disability in the UK? The correct answer is B.

So well done if you correctly identified that the data trend on disability in the UK shows that the number of people with disabilities has increased since 2013, with older adults most likely to identify as disabled.

So let's check our understanding again.

Is Alex correct? Population changes only happens through immigration.

Is that a correct statement? No, Alex isn't correct.

Immigration affects the population, but so do other things like birth rates, death rates, and people living longer.

Also, people moving within the UK, what's known as internal migration, can change the population in different areas.

Changes in ethnic groups and people's religions or beliefs can affect the makeup of the population too.

So it's not just about immigration.

So well done if you corrected his statement.

So onto our practise task for this learning cycle, what factors are changing the UK's population? So I'd like you to pick three of the following factors to explain how and why the UK population is changing.

So you can choose age, religion, ethnicity, national identity, or disability.

I'd like you to use key vocabulary such as diversity, identity, and population in your answer, and include relevant statistics or trends where appropriate.

So please pause the video whilst you complete this task.

So I asked you to pick three categories to explain how and why the UK population is changing.

Now, obviously, I've picked three categories.

You might have picked different ones.

That's absolutely fine.

But your answer could have looked like something like this.

The UK population is changing in several important ways.

Firstly, the country is getting older.

In the 2021 census, nearly one in five people in England and Wales were aged 65 or over, which is more than in 2011.

People are living longer due to better healthcare and living standards.

Secondly, the UK is becoming more ethnically diverse.

In 2021, 81.

7% of people identified as White British, down from 86% in 2011.

At the same time, more people identified as Asian or Asian British, and 9.

3%, and Black, Black British, Caribbean or African, 2.

5%.

And the number of people from mixed or multiple ethnic groups also increased.

This shows that more UK families have different ethnic backgrounds and dual heritage.

Your answer could continue.

Lastly, more people in the UK are living with disabilities.

In 2023, about 16.

1 million people had a disability, 24% of the total population.

Data shows that disabilities are more common in older age groups, but some children in working-age adults are also disabled.

This shows that more people in the UK are living with health conditions that affect their daily lives, including mental health issues and age-related disabilities.

So well done for completing that practise task.

So onto our second learning cycle in today's lesson.

What is the impact of these population changes? Understanding population changes helps governments make better policies and meet people's needs.

Here are some examples.

Increased diversity has brought about new ideas and innovation, contributing positively to the workplace and society.

Changes in age and disability in the population affect how wealth and resources are shared across society.

A growing population increases demand for housing, healthcare, and education.

And a growing population may increase pressure on charities that support people's needs, especially where government services are limited.

So let's check our understanding.

Which of the following statements best explains how changes in the UK's population affect society and the economy? A, an ageing population reduces pressure on services like healthcare and education.

B, increasing diversity has only caused challenges for the UK, especially in the workplace.

C, population growth and changes increase demand for housing, healthcare, and support services.

Or D, changes in population have had no real impact on the distribution of wealth or public services.

The correct answer is C.

Population growth and changes increase demand for housing, healthcare, and support services.

Well done if you got that right.

So what might the impact of an ageing population be? Just have a conversation with your learning partner about that question.

So you might have come up with the following ideas.

Older people often support family life.

So grandparents, for example, might provide childcare for their grandchildren.

Older people often volunteer for charities and contribute to the economy as consumers.

So because they're often retired and they're not working, they're often out at the shops and actually at restaurants and cafes, and things like that.

That contributes to the economy.

As more people retire, however, there are fewer workers paying tax, which affects funding for public services.

So if we've got an ageing population, we've got fewer working people, working-age people.

That means we have less tax being paid into the economy.

And that tax obviously pays for services like healthcare and education, but it also pays the pensions for the pensioners who are not working anymore.

So it kind of becomes a bit of a bubble where that needs to be increased in order to support all those things.

An ageing population increases demand for healthcare.

As people get older, they're more likely to become more ill or more frail, and have healthcare issues, which means that they rely on the NHS, and that requires careful planning as well.

Governments need to also plan for more pension spending as people live longer.

You might have heard something called the triple lock pension, and that means that the government are paying the pensioners their rate that they are entitled to.

And as more people get into that age bracket where they can start claiming their pension, the government needs to plan for that.

More older people may need support with social care and supported housing as they age.

They may need to go into homes or into assisted living.

So lots of impacts that ageing population has.

What about the impact of the changing religious landscape? What impact might that have? Have a think about that question.

So, British institutions are expected to serve people of all faith and of none.

People that have no faith.

Faith groups can help build stronger, more connected communities.

However, tensions can arise when prejudice or misunderstanding leads to a rise in hate crime and discrimination.

Population changes can influence public policies.

For example, shaping conversation about education.

What might the impact of greater ethnic diversity be? You might have thought that it shows that the UK is enriched through art, cuisine, sport, and entertainment.

They celebrate different backgrounds, helps build a more inclusive and understanding society.

Ethnic minority groups may face disadvantages, however, in areas like education, healthcare, or justice due to inequality.

In 2024, 70% of recorded hate crimes were racially motivated, showing ongoing challenges around racism.

What might be the impact of an increase in disability on the UK? Well, a culture of inclusivity has been developed and is continually evolving.

So inclusivity around disabled and non-disabled people.

The Equality Act 2010 has increased protection for disabled people, 'cause it is a protected characteristic.

However, more people being registered as having a disability may mean an increased demand for financial and support services.

Reducing disability benefits can negatively affect people who rely on them for independence and wellbeing.

And people with a disability may not be supported to have the same opportunities and outcomes.

For example, in education and at work, they might not be given the same opportunities.

So let's check your understanding.

Each pupil is explaining the impact of population changes.

I want you to identify the category they're explaining.

So Aisha says, "Having less economically-active people in the population shrinks the tax base, and so there may not be enough money for pensions." Andeep says, "It has enriched the country in various ways from art and cuisine to sports and entertainment." And Izzy, "It can lead to strained community relationships, e.

g.

, a rise in antisemitic and anti-Muslim incidents." So which impact of population changes are each of those pupils explaining? So, Aisha is explaining an ageing population.

Andeep's explaining the impact of ethnic diversity.

And Izzy is explaining the impact of religion.

So well done if you correctly identified those.

So onto our practise task for this learning cycle, what is the impact of these population changes? I'd like you to explain why it's important for the government and society to understand the impact of population changes.

Why is it important we know what the trends are and what the changes are? So I'd like you to pause the video whilst you write your explanation for that now, please.

Well done for completing that task.

So your explanation for why it is important for government and society to understand the impact of population changes could look like this and could include the following.

It is important for the government and society to understand population changes so they can plan services that meet everyone's needs and support fairness, inclusion, and respect.

For example, as the UK population gets older, there may be greater demand for healthcare, pensions, and social care.

Planning ahead helps make sure services can meet these needs effectively.

Another example is understanding ethnic diversity, which helps ensure that all communities feel included and represented, and that institutions are fair, respectful, and culturally aware.

Changes in religion can also shape how people live, work, and celebrate.

And as a result, public services may need to adapt to remain inclusive and relevant.

So well done for completing that task, the final task for today's lesson.

So in summary, we have learned today that since the 1950s, the UK's population has steadily increased, rising from around 50 million in 1951 to an estimated 69.

5 million by 2025.

Along with growth, the population has changed in other ways.

It is getting older, becoming more ethnically and religiously diverse, and more people are registered as having a disability.

These shifts affect the public services the government provides.

It's important for both the government and citizens to understand these population changes, so they can create appropriate policies and meet everyone's needs.

Well done for completing today's lesson.

I hope that you enjoyed it and that you've learned a lot about the UK's population, how it's changing, and that the impact of that is having and will have in the future.

And I look forward to seeing you again very soon.

Goodbye.