The United Kingdom is a diverse and dynamic nation. Understanding its population, languages, currency, and national identity is important for anyone wishing to settle here.
Population
The population of the United Kingdom is approximately 67 million people. The UK is one of the most densely populated countries in Europe, with most people living in England.
The population is distributed across the four countries as follows:
| Country | Approximate population |
|---|---|
| England | 56 million |
| Scotland | 5.5 million |
| Wales | 3.2 million |
| Northern Ireland | 1.9 million |
England is by far the most populous of the four countries, accounting for around 84% of the total UK population.
The largest cities in the UK are:
- London — the capital of the United Kingdom and England; the largest city in the UK and one of the world's leading financial and cultural centres
- Birmingham — the second largest city in the UK
- Glasgow — the largest city in Scotland
- Cardiff — the capital of Wales
- Belfast — the capital of Northern Ireland
- Edinburgh — the capital of Scotland (and home of the Scottish Parliament)
NOTE
The UK's population is approximately 67 million. England has by far the largest population (~56 million). The capital cities are: London (England and UK), Edinburgh (Scotland), Cardiff (Wales), and Belfast (Northern Ireland).
Languages
English is the main language spoken throughout the United Kingdom. However, other languages are also spoken, particularly in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Welsh
Welsh (Cymraeg) is spoken by around 700,000 people in Wales — approximately 20% of the Welsh population. Welsh is an official language of Wales alongside English. All official signs in Wales are required to be displayed in both Welsh and English, and Welsh-medium education is widely available.
The Welsh Language Act 1993 and the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 gave Welsh official status and placed duties on public bodies to treat Welsh and English equally.
Scottish Gaelic
Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) is spoken by around 60,000 people in Scotland, mainly in the Highlands and the Western Isles. It is a distinct language from English and from Welsh. The Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005 gave Scottish Gaelic official recognition.
Irish (Ulster Irish)
A form of Irish is spoken by some people in Northern Ireland, particularly in Irish-speaking communities along the border areas. It is related to Scottish Gaelic.
TIP
For the exam, know that Welsh is an official language in Wales (spoken by ~700,000 people) and that Scottish Gaelic is spoken mainly in the Highlands and Western Isles of Scotland by around 60,000 people.
Currency
The currency of the United Kingdom is the pound sterling (symbol: £), also known simply as the pound. It is divided into 100 pence (singular: penny; abbreviated: p).
Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own banknotes which, whilst distinctive in design, are legal currency throughout the United Kingdom.
NOTE
The UK's currency is the pound sterling (£), divided into 100 pence. The UK is not in the Eurozone — it uses its own currency. Scottish and Northern Irish banknotes are valid throughout the UK.
Public and bank holidays
Public holidays — known as bank holidays — are days when most businesses, banks, and many shops are closed. The UK has a number of bank holidays each year, though the number and dates vary slightly between the four countries.
UK-wide bank holidays
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| New Year's Day | 1 January |
| Good Friday | Friday before Easter Sunday |
| Easter Monday | Monday after Easter Sunday |
| Early May Bank Holiday | First Monday in May |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Last Monday in May |
| Summer Bank Holiday | Last Monday in August |
| Christmas Day | 25 December |
| Boxing Day | 26 December |
Additional bank holidays
- Scotland has additional bank holidays, including 2 January (a public holiday in Scotland but not in the rest of the UK) and St Andrew's Day (30 November)
- Northern Ireland has additional bank holidays, including St Patrick's Day (17 March) and the Battle of the Boyne (12 July)
TIP
St Patrick's Day (17 March) is a bank holiday in Northern Ireland only (not England, Scotland, or Wales). St Andrew's Day (30 November) is a bank holiday in Scotland only.
The nations and their patron saints
Each of the four nations of the UK has its own patron saint and national day:
| Nation | Patron saint | National day |
|---|---|---|
| England | St George | 23 April — St George's Day |
| Scotland | St Andrew | 30 November — St Andrew's Day |
| Wales | St David | 1 March — St David's Day |
| Northern Ireland | St Patrick | 17 March — St Patrick's Day |
The national flowers are also associated with each country:
- England — rose (Tudor rose)
- Scotland — thistle
- Wales — daffodil (and leek)
- Northern Ireland — shamrock (and flax)
NOTE
Know the patron saints, national days, and national flowers/emblems for all four nations — these are regularly tested in the Life in the UK exam.
Key facts about the UK today for the Life in the UK test:
- Population — approximately 67 million; England ~56 million; capital cities: London (UK/England), Edinburgh (Scotland), Cardiff (Wales), Belfast (Northern Ireland)
- Languages — English (main); Welsh (official in Wales, ~700,000 speakers); Scottish Gaelic (~60,000 speakers, Highlands/Western Isles)
- Currency — pound sterling (£), 100 pence; not in the Eurozone
- Patron saints — St George (England, 23 April); St Andrew (Scotland, 30 November); St David (Wales, 1 March); St Patrick (Northern Ireland, 17 March)
- National flowers — rose (England), thistle (Scotland), daffodil (Wales), shamrock (Northern Ireland)
Up next: Religion — explore the role of religion and faith in British life, the established churches, and freedom of religion in the UK.