Kelsey Kitzman

MRKT. 325

2/20/19

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/28/uk-population-growth-slows-as-eu-job-seekers-

stay-away-after-brexit

Assignment 1: Great Britatin

In 2016, the United Kingdom left the European Union (EU) due to the Brexit which has

led to a decline in the population ever since. Europeans living in the United Kingdom have been

deterred from seeking work ever since the EU referendum (Weaver). Since the Brexit,

immigration numbers have declined in the UK and has reached its lowest rate for thirteen

consecutive years. Due to net migration, a huge downfall has begun and slowed the overall

growth down for years. In over 12 months as stated in the article, Great Britain has its lowest

growth rate since around 2004. “​In contrast, figures released in 2017 for the period to the middle

of the previous year showed an increase of 538,000 people, the sharpest annual population drive

since 1948.”

Neil Park, a man who specializes in studying the population in Great Britain said, “This

is the lowest annual population growth since 2004 due to a fall in net migration, fewer births and

more deaths than previously seen.” He mentioned that net immigration used to be the biggest

thing that would increase the population. Since the number of immigrants has dropped so

suddenly, the population has decreased tremendously. Also, there has been a decrease in natural

causes like childbirth, and an increase in deaths than in previous years, making the population as

a whole smaller than usual. With this population decrease, Great Britain is having to change jobs
to make sure that high-level jobs are being fulfilled with the small number of people being able

to work. In my opinion, Great Britain should combine jobs and tasks that are similar together, so

then there aren’t jobs being left undone. This mobilization could be practiced until the population

numbers are increased and stabilized, and then go back to what they’re doing now.

Great Britain’s growth rate has exceeded 66 million people for the first time, but it is

rising at its slowest rate in the last 13 years due to the fall of net migration. In 2017, over 12

months to the middle of last year was an increase of 538,000 people compared to the same time

period in the year 2016 was only an increase of 392,000 people. The increase in population in

2017 was the sharpest annual growth rate since 1948. Brexit is identified by ONS as one of the

“key drivers of the slowdown, with Europeans having been deterred from seeking work in the

UK since the EU referendum”. According to the migration statistics quarterly bulletin for the

period, “the number of people immigrating for a definite job has remained stable, but there has

been a 43% decrease in the number of people immigrating to look for work over the last year

especially for EU citizens”. What this means is that Brexit is likely to be a factor in people’s

decision to move to or from the UK.

Neil Park, the head of the ONS population estimates unit, explains that the effect of fewer

births and higher deaths was most pronounced in London and other areas that have experienced

high levels of immigration in recent years. Those industries that rely on migrant labor are

experiencing a new shortage of workers throughout the UK. With the baby boomer generation

reaching old age, shown by a .1% growth each year for UK citizens aged 65 and older, the

economic strength has tilted. These elder citizens typically do not hold jobs, and receive larger

amounts of benefits from the government due to their retirement.