New
New
Year 11

How is the UK population changing?

I can analyse how the UK population is changing and describe the possible impacts on society.

New
New
Year 11

How is the UK population changing?

I can analyse how the UK population is changing and describe the possible impacts on society.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Since the 1950s, the UK's population has grown steadily, increasing from about 50 million to 69.5 million in 2025.
  2. The UK now has an ageing population, is more religiously and ethnically diverse and more people identify as disabled.
  3. An increasing and changing population has an impact on the public services the Government provides.
  4. It is important to understand population changes so Government can make better policies and support everyone’s needs.

Keywords

  • Population - all the inhabitants of a particular place or region

  • Society - the people living together in an ordered community

Common misconception

Population changes only happen through immigration.

Population changes include factors like birth rates, ageing and internal migration, as well as immigration.


To help you plan your year 11 citizenship lesson on: How is the UK population changing?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

When discussing topics like disability, ageing, religion or ethnicity, model sensitive and respectful language. Use terms that focus on people first and avoid phrases that imply burden or blame.
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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), 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

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match each word to its correct meaning.

Correct Answer:identity,qualities that make someone different from others

qualities that make someone different from others

Correct Answer:nature,qualities and traits that come from genetics or biology

qualities and traits that come from genetics or biology

Correct Answer:nurture,influences from upbringing, education and environment

influences from upbringing, education and environment

Correct Answer:values,ideas or principles people think are important

ideas or principles people think are important

Q2.
A person’s identity can be shaped by both and nurture.

Correct Answer: nature

Q3.
The UK is a multi-nation state made up of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Correct Answer: Wales

Q4.
Why is the idea of a shared British identity considered complex?

because everyone in the UK feels exactly the same about being British
because it never changes and has always remained the same
Correct answer: because views differ depending on history, location and personal perspective
because the UK is only made up of two nations and they both agree

Q5.
British are principles such as individual liberty, democracy and the rule of law that many believe help society work well together.

Correct Answer: values

Q6.
Why are British values often debated?

because they are identical in every nation in the UK
because they don’t matter to anyone and are no longer valid
because they are all written in one official document but should be in multiple
Correct answer: because they raise questions about identity, society & how people live together

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match each word to its correct meaning.

Correct Answer:population,all the inhabitants of a particular place or region

all the inhabitants of a particular place or region

Correct Answer:society,the people living together in an ordered community

the people living together in an ordered community

Correct Answer:diversity,the variety of people in a group in terms of background, beliefs, etc

the variety of people in a group in terms of background, beliefs, etc

Q2.
In , the UK population was around 50 million. By 2025, it is expected to reach approximately 69.5 million.

Correct Answer: 1951

Q3.
The UK has an population, meaning there are more older people than before.

Correct Answer: ageing

Q4.
What does it mean when we say the UK has become more diverse?

Most people now speak the same language.
There are fewer differences between people than before.
Correct answer: People in the UK have broader ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds.
Everyone now follows the same culture and traditions.

Q5.
Why is it important for the Government to understand population changes?

so they can reduce access to healthcare
Correct answer: so they can provide better public services
so they can limit cultural events

Q6.
Which of the following is true about population change?

It only happens because of immigration.
It only affects people in cities.
Correct answer: It happens due to many factors, including ageing and birth rates.
It stops when a country reaches 70 million people.