By Sachin Ravikumar
LONDON (Reuters) – Immigration is expected to add 6.1 million people to the UK population by mid-2036, according to official projections that will increase pressure on British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on a key issue as the next election approaches.
The UK population will grow from 67 million people in mid-2021 to 73.7 million in mid-2036, driven almost exclusively by immigration, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) forecast in the report.
Immigration has become a dominant issue on the UK political scene and will play a major role in the national election later this year. Currently, Sunak's conservative party is likely to lose power, according to opinion polls.
The projected jump over the 15-year period also reflects a forecast of 541,000 more births than deaths, the Cabinet Office said.
Figures released in November showed that immigration to the UK reached a record 745,000 in 2022 and has been rising ever since. Cabinet projections assume an annual immigration stock of 315,000 from the period ending in mid-2028.
Last month, the government announced tougher visa measures, including higher salaries and restrictions on family members, to reduce the numbers.
(Reporting by Sachin Ravikumar, Additional reporting by Movieja M)
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