New
New
The population of the UK
I can explain where people live in the UK and how topography influences population distribution.
Lesson 4 of 12
New
New
- Year 7
The population of the UK
I can explain where people live in the UK and how topography influences population distribution.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The UK has a population of around 67 million people.
- The population of the UK is unevely distributed with around 10 million people living in and around London.
- The population distribution of the UK is affected by the topography, with fewer people living in mountainous areas.
Keywords
Relief - the height and shape of land surfaces
Population density - the number of people living in a defined area, e.g. 300 people per square kilometre
Population distribution - describes how the people in that population are spread out across the area
Common misconception
Population density is the same across the UK.
Population density varies widely due to factors like topography and urbanisation.
Get pupils to move around the room to demonstrate migration.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What are the four countries that make up the UK?
What are the four countries that make up the UK?
England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland
Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland
Q2.What does population density refer to?
What does population density refer to?
amount of available resources
number of buildings per square mile
Q3.Which factor would most likely lead to a sparse population?
Which factor would most likely lead to a sparse population?
rich, fertile soil
good access to water resources
availability of jobs and services
Q4.What type of area is likely to have a high population density?
What type of area is likely to have a high population density?
desert regions
mountainous areas
rural areas with poor transportation
Q5.Why might an area with fertile soil have a high population density?
Why might an area with fertile soil have a high population density?
fertile soil is difficult to build on, so fewer people live there
fertile soil leads to dry conditions, making it less hospitable
fertile soil is only found in remote regions
Q6.Which country has the highest population within the UK?
Which country has the highest population within the UK?
Scotland
Wales
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the approximate population of the UK?
What is the approximate population of the UK?
55 million
65 million
75 million
Q2.Why is London the most populous city in the UK?
Why is London the most populous city in the UK?
it is the oldest city in the UK
it is the only city in the UK with an airport
Q3.Relief...
Relief...
is about the cultural activities and festivals in the UK
Q4.Match the two parts of the statements about population density
Match the two parts of the statements about population density
Q5.Why is population density higher in cities like London?
Why is population density higher in cities like London?
rural areas offer more economic opportunities
cities are located in harsher climates
cities have lower living costs than rural areas
Q6.The people of the UK
The people of the UK
are evenly distributed through England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
are evenly distributed across all cities
