As most of us have known since school, the capital of Great Britain is London, and the country consists of four provinces: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland. The population, its size and characteristics are the subject of this article. Each of these regions has its own system of administrative division and has a significant degree of autonomy. The population of Northern Ireland, as well as residents of other British provinces, stand out for a number of features. Therefore, it is advisable to consider each of the regions separately.
United Kingdom: General Description
Considering provinces such as England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, whose population differs from each other by a number of features, it is important to recall history. In 1801, the Union Act was concluded. Then all of Ireland was part of the United Kingdom. This continued until 1921. Southern Ireland became an independent state, while Northern remained a province of Great Britain.
The total population of the United Kingdom, as of 2015, is 54.9 million. By this indicator, the UK is in 78th place in the world. In terms of population density, the country is the fourth in the European Union. The latest census showed that the majority (87.1%) are white. Among national minorities, the following groups stand out: Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and Chinese. The total share of Asians in the UK population is 7%. Blacks - 3%. For 95% of residents of the state, their native language is English.
Northern Ireland: population dynamics
Consider the historical data on the number of inhabitants of the province. In 1841, 1,649 million people lived in Northern Ireland. Natural growth was negative. For the period from 1841 to 1851 the population of the province decreased by 12.5%. Over the next ten years, an additional 3.2%. In 1861, it amounted to 1.397 million people. Natural growth was still negative. For the period from 1861 to 1871, the population decreased by 2.7%. Then over the next ten years by another 4%.
From 1881 to 1891, the population of Northern Ireland decreased by 5.3%. In 1891, 1.236 million people lived in the province. From that time until today, the natural increase is positive. In 1901, 1.237 million lived in Northern Ireland. The highest growth rate was recorded in the 1960s. Then in 10 years the population increased by 7.8%. In 2001, it amounted to 1.685 million people. Over the next ten years, the population of Northern Ireland grew by 7.5%. According to forecasts, in 2017, 1.869 million people will live in the country.
Northern Ireland: Population and Population
This province is by far the smallest in the UK. Its area does not exceed 2.9% of the total, and the population of Northern Ireland is 5.7% of the total. Until 1921, the province was much larger. In the UK was the whole island. Now Ireland (South) is an independent country. She was part of Britain from 1801 to 1921.
Northern Ireland, whose population according to the 2011 census exceeds 1.8 million, is only 28.3% of the island's population. Over the past ten years, it has increased by 7.5%. The population density is 133 people per square kilometer. This figure is half that of the UK average. However, the population density of the Republic of Ireland is only about 68 people per square meter. Most people live in the Belfast metropolitan area.
The average age from 2001 to 2011 increased from 34 to 37 years. The population is aging. The number of inhabitants after 65 years over the past decade has increased by 2%. This leads to an increase in the burden on taxpayers. However, this trend is characteristic of all developed countries, including the UK. The largest population of Northern Ireland is between the ages of 40 and 49. Their share exceeds 14.6%. The average family in the province has two children. Life expectancy for men is 77.2 years, for women - 80.8.
Ethnic composition
According to the latest census, about 98.21% of the provincial population is “white.” The share of Asians does not exceed 1%. Blacks - 0.2%.
Language groups
The population of Northern Ireland speaks mainly English. Two regional languages fall under the protection of the European Charter. Some immigrants also speak Polish. If we consider how many people in Northern Ireland consider their native English, then this is 98.86%. Some people also know Irish or Scottish. The second most common is Polish. 1.02% of the population speaks it. Residents also speak Lithuanian, Gaelic, Portuguese, Slovak, Chinese, Tagalog, Latvian, Russian, Malay and Hungarian.
Religious denominations
The 2011 census showed which population in Northern Ireland is religiously based. 40.8% consider themselves Catholics. The Presbyterian share is 19.1%. In the UK, the opposite is true. Most of the population of the latter are Protestants.
13.7% of the population consider themselves to be the Church of Ireland. This is almost 2% less than in 2001. The share of methodologists is 3%. Christians of various faiths are 82.3% of the population. The share of representatives of other religions is 0.8%. Atheists are 10.1% of the population of Northern Ireland. During the 2011 census, 6.8% of the provinces did not indicate their religious affiliation. Over the past ten years, only the number of Catholics has increased. Other faiths declined. It should be noted that the 2001 census does not provide data on the number of atheists.
Passports
National identity remains a daunting subject for residents of Northern Ireland. Many consider themselves British. They consider residents of other provinces and themselves as members of one common nation. Others believe that the British, Welsh and Scots are foreigners. They believe that the Irish nation is one.
There is a connection between the religious beliefs of residents and their views on national identity. Most Protestants see themselves as part of a united nation with the British, Welsh and Scots. Catholics often consider themselves Irish.
All residents of the province automatically receive a British passport at birth. It is no different from the one given in any other part of the UK. However, all those born in this province can also receive an Irish passport. Moreover, you can have both documents at the same time. It should be noted that 18.9% of residents do not have a passport. Most of the population draws up British documents. The passport of the Republic of Ireland has 20.8% of the population. Polish - 1%.