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UK population growth highest in EU
The UK's population grew by 419,900 to 63.7 million between June 2011 and June 2012, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has announced.
There were 254,400 more births than deaths and 165,600 more people coming to the UK than leaving, according to the body's latest estimates.
This amounted to the largest population growth, in absolute terms, of all EU countries, it said.
There were 813,200 UK births recorded in the year - the most since 1972.
France's population grew by 319,100 to 65,480,500 over the same period while Germany's went up by 166,200 to 80,399,300, the ONS added.
There were 517,800 migrants from overseas last year while 352,100 people left the country, putting net migration at 165,600.
The populations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are now estimated at 53.5 million, 5.3 million, 3.1 million, and 1.8 million respectively.
Many of the migrants to the UK are from China, India, Germany, USA, Pakistan, Poland and Australia.
London's population has surged by 104,000, with high birth and immigration rates.
Together London, south-east and east England accounted for 53% of growth across the UK in the year while Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland jointly accounted for 8%.
More than 51,000 people moved out of London, largely to the South East and East of England, the ONS data shows.
London recorded net international migration of 69,000 - the highest of all regions. Northern Ireland had the lowest net migration growth of about 400, the ONS said.
The capital also recorded 86,000 more births than deaths in the past year, while Scotland notched up 4,200 more births than deaths.
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