The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated March 2010:
As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your question asking what the population density was of (a) England, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland in (i) 1960, (ii) 1970, (iii) 1980, (iv) 1990, (v) 2000 and (vi) 2010; and what estimate has been made of the population density in each of those areas in (A) 2020, (B) 2030 and (C) 2050. (319821)
The attached table shows population density, calculated for each mid-year, as requested. Figures for 1960 to the year 2000 are derived using mid-year population estimates and the relevant land area. Figures for 2010 to 2050 are derived using 2008-based national population projections and assume land areas for the UK constituent countries remain constant into the future.
Persons per sq km 19601 19701 19801 19901 20001 20102 20202 20302 20502 England 3— 353 359 366 378 401 430 459 504 Wales 3— 131 136 138 140 145 153 160 168 Scotland 66 67 67 65 65 67 69 71 71 Northern Ireland 105 113 113 118 124 133 141 147 153 1 Population densities are derived using mid-year population estimates and the relevant land area. 2 Population densities are derived using 2008-based population projections, assuming constant land area for the UK constituent countries into the future. 3 Population estimates for 1960 are not available, separately for England and Wales. Sources: Office for National Statistics, General Register Office for Scotland and Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency