Top 20 UK Cities by Population (2021/22 Estimates)

Based on ONS 2021 Census / 2022 mid-year estimates for built-up areas / city proper (methodology varies — see notes).

📝 Methodology Notes

• “City” = built-up area subdivision (BUASD) or local authority district — not metro area.
• London = Greater London (32 boroughs + City).
• Manchester/Salford often combined in metro stats (2.8M) but separate cities here.
• Sources: ONS MYE 2022, NRS 2022, NISRA 2022.

🏙 Metro Areas (For Context)

• London: 14.3M
• Birmingham: 4.3M
• Manchester: 2.8M
• Glasgow: 1.8M
• Leeds: 2.3M

City proper ≠ metro. Know which you need.