Area type
Metropolitan County
Land area
2,029 square kilometres
Fertility rate
1.64
Birth rate
11.6
Death rate
9.6
internal migration
-0.1%
international migration
0.4%
View trend
View trend
View trend
The population of West Yorkshire is 2,345,235 according to mid-2020 population figures published by the ONS. Based on recent growth rates we estimate the current 2022 population of West Yorkshire to be 2,370,977. In the year between mid-2019 and mid-2020, the population in West Yorkshire grew by an estimated 12,766 people, and in the ten years prior to mid-2020, the population grew by 117,864. Compare population by area.
West Yorkshire's population growth rate between mid-2019 and mid-2020 was 0.5%, which is 0.0% lower than the average population growth rate in West Yorkshire for the ten years prior to mid-2020 (0.6%).
West Yorkshire covers an area of 2,029 square kilometres (783 square miles) and has a population density of 1,156 people per square kilometre (km2), based on the latest population estimates taken in mid-2020. That figure has increased by 58 people per km2 over the past decade.
Between mid-2019 and mid-2020, net internal migration out of West Yorkshire was 2,402, and net international migration into West Yorkshire was 10,398.
West Yorkshire's fertility rate (the total number of children that would be born to the average woman in West Yorkshire if she were to live to the end of her child-bearing years) of 1.64, and birth rate (the number of live births per thousand of population per year) of 11.6, led to population increases of 27,009 during the year, and West Yorkshire's death rate or mortality rate (the number of deaths per thousand of population per year) of 9.6 resulted in a 22,441 population decrease. In total, a net 4,568 person natural increase.
During the past decade, internal migration has risen from a net outflow of 4,487 in 2011 to a net 2,402 outflow. International migration has fallen from a net inflow of 10,496 in 2011 to an inflow of 10,398 in 2020.
The natural increase in population, due to births and deaths, has fallen from an annual net increase of 11,750 people in 2011 to 4,568 in 2020.
Births and deaths was the largest driver of population change over the past decade, representing circa 68% of the total change in population.
Data for internal migration is not available for 2012
West Yorkshire Salary
Rental Market of West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire Economy
West Yorkshire's population, population density, and population growth rate, over the past decade.
Figures reported by the ONS in 2021.
Year | Population | Growth rate | Population Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2,345,235 | 0.55% | 1,156 |
| 2019 | 2,332,469 | 0.53% | 1,149 |
| 2018 | 2,320,214 | 0.57% | 1,143 |
| 2017 | 2,307,035 | 0.52% | 1,137 |
| 2016 | 2,295,025 | 0.76% | 1,131 |
| 2015 | 2,277,796 | 0.71% | 1,122 |
| 2014 | 2,261,757 | 0.49% | 1,115 |
| 2013 | 2,250,644 | 0.46% | 1,109 |
| 2012 | 2,240,388 | 0.58% | 1,104 |
| 2011 | 2,227,371 | 1,098 |
West Yorkshire's forecast, population density, and population growth rate, over the next twenty years. Figures reported by the ONS in 2018.
The population of West Yorkshire is forecast to be 2,384,880 in 2025 and 2,422,807 in 2030.
Year | Population | Growth rate | Population Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2,368,893 | 0.36% | 1,167 |
| 2024 | 2,377,016 | 0.34% | 1,171 |
| 2025 | 2,384,880 | 0.33% | 1,175 |
| 2026 | 2,392,739 | 0.33% | 1,179 |
| 2027 | 2,400,562 | 0.33% | 1,183 |
| 2028 | 2,408,103 | 0.31% | 1,187 |
| 2029 | 2,415,488 | 0.31% | 1,190 |
| 2030 | 2,422,807 | 0.30% | 1,194 |
| 2031 | 2,429,950 | 0.29% | 1,197 |
| 2032 | 2,436,800 | 0.28% | 1,201 |
Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. Data sources: ONS Local statistics