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Chapter 4 · A modern, thriving society

Life in the UK test questions on the population of the UK

A census is taken every ten years and counts everyone living in the UK. The population has grown steadily and is now around 67 million, and England is by far the most populous of the four nations. The population is also ageing, and it is far more diverse than it was in the middle of the last century.

Below are 7 free questions on the population of the UK, taken from handbook section 4.1. Every one is written out in full with its answer and a plain-English explanation — no account, no sign-up and nothing hidden.

Practise the population of the UK

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Questions and answers on the population of the UK

The same 7 questions again, this time with the answers shown. Read the explanation even where you were right — the test asks the same facts several ways.

  1. 1. How often is a census of the UK population normally taken?

    • Every ten years — correct answer
    • Every year
    • Every five years
    • Every twenty-five years

    A census counts the population once every ten years, so the government can plan schools, housing and health services. Handbook section 4.1.

  2. 2. Which country of the UK is home to the largest share of the population?

    • England, with about 84 per cent — correct answer
    • Scotland, with about 40 per cent
    • Wales, with about 25 per cent
    • Northern Ireland, with about 20 per cent

    About 84 per cent of people in the UK live in England, which makes it by far the most populated of the four countries. Handbook section 4.1.

  3. 3. What does it mean to say that the UK has an ageing population?

    • More people are living into old age than before — correct answer
    • Fewer babies are born in the UK than anywhere else
    • Older people are leaving the UK to live abroad
    • People must retire at a fixed age

    An ageing population means more people are living into old age, which increases the cost of pensions and of care for older people. Handbook section 4.1.

  4. 4. Roughly how many people lived in the UK in 1901?

    • 40 million — correct answer
    • 20 million
    • 62 million
    • 8 million

    The population of the UK was about 40 million in 1901, after a century of very fast growth during the industrial age. Handbook section 4.1.

  5. 5. In which year was the first census of the UK population taken?

    • 1801 — correct answer
    • 1601
    • 1901
    • 1951

    The first census of the whole population was taken in 1801, and one has been taken regularly ever since. Handbook section 4.1.

  6. 6. What was the population of the UK in 2010?

    • Just over 62 million — correct answer
    • Just under 40 million
    • About 50 million
    • About 75 million

    By 2010 the UK population had reached just over 62 million people, and it has continued to grow since then. Handbook section 4.1.

  7. 7. Which two things have helped the UK population grow quickly in recent years?

    • Migration into the UK — correct answer
    • People living longer than before — correct answer
    • A fall in the birth rate
    • People leaving the cities

    The population has grown faster in recent years because people are migrating to the UK and because people are living longer. Handbook section 4.1.

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