Population

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the percentage change in the working age population was in each year since 1977; and what the size of the working age population was in (a) 1977, (b) 1997 and (c) 2006. (167625)

The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.

Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 26 November 2007:

As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your question regarding the percentage change in the working age population in each year since 1997, and what the size of the working age population was in a) 1977, b) 1997 and c) 2006 (167625).

The attached table shows the working age population and the percentage change for the years requested. The latest population estimates available are for mid-2006.

*Table 1: Working age population*¹ *of England and Wales and annual percentage change*
Mid-year	Working age population¹	Percentage change from previous year
1977	29,055,000	—

1997	31,473,000	—
1998	31,591,000	0.4
1999	31,771,000	0.6
2000	31,977,000	0.6
2001	32,226,000	0.8
2002	32,435,000	0.6
2003	32,626,000	0.6
2004	32,856,000	0.7
2005	33,164,000	0.9
2006	33,417,000	0.8
¹ Working age population is 16-59 for females and 16-64 for males. Note: Data are rounded to the nearest 1,000. Source: Office for National Statistics

Volume 468: debated on Monday 26 November 2007