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''See also: Demographics Of Scotland '' At the April 2001 census, the United Kingdom 's population was 58,789,194-- the third-largest in the European Union (behind Germany and metropolitan France ) and the 21st-largest in the world. Its overall population density is one of the highest in the world. Almost one-third of the population lives in England 's prosperous and fertile southeast and is predominantly urban and suburban--with about 7.2 million in the capital of London. The United Kingdom's high literacy rate (99%) is attributable to Universal Public Education introduced for the primary level in 1870 and secondary level in 1900 (except in Scotland where it was introduced in 1696). Education is mandatory from ages 5 through 16. About one-fifth of British students go on to post-secondary education (18+). The Church Of England and the Church Of Scotland function as the official national churches in their respective countries, but most religions found in the world are represented in the United Kingdom. A group of islands close to continental Europe , the British Isles have been subject to many invasions and migrations, especially from Scandinavia and the continent, including Roman occupation for several centuries. Contemporary Britons are descended mainly from the varied ethnic stocks that settled there before the 11th century. The pre-Celtic, Celt ic, Roman, Anglo-Saxon , and Norse influences were blended in Britain under the Normans, Scandinavian Vikings who had lived in Northern France . Although Celtic Languages persist in Wales , Scotland , and Northern Ireland , the predominant language is English , which is a West Germanic language descended from Old English , and featuring a large amount of borrowings from Norman French . POPULATION ''See also: Population Of England ''. .]] The population of the United Kingdom in the 2001 Census was 58,789,194. This has risen to 59,834,300 according to July 2004 estimates. (1st July 2004 population estimates by UK National Statistics) {Link without Title} Age structure The most numerous age groups (at the 2001 census) were the 5-year group born in the years 1946-51 (the Post-World War II Baby Boom ); the baby boom born a generation later in 1961-66 (the largest group of all); and a more modest boom a generation after that, born in 1986-91. {Link without Title} The 1946-51 group reaches retirement age from 2006 onwards (women from 2006 and men from 2011), and the sudden increase in the number of people claiming the state pension has led politicians and political commentators to fear a "pensions crisis". The age groups are not evenly distributed around the country, with some areas having many young adults and children and some areas having large numbers of older people. [http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/pyramids/pages/00MW.asp .]] Fertility
Source: Office for National Statistics ETHNICITY :''Main article: Ethnic Groups Of The United Kingdom Nationality noun
adjective
Ethnic groups
From the 2001 UK Census White 92.1%, Black 2%, Indian 1.8%, Pakistani 1.3%, mixed 1.2%, other 1.6% (2001 census) From the CIA World Factbook 2005 {Link without Title} Current Trends Immigration projections estimate that the above racial proportion (92% White) will likely remain unchanged as the British Government in March 2006 decided upon barring entry to the United Kingdom for people from non-EU countries who lack the necessary advanced technical and language (English) skills and hence non-white immigration to Britain will be vastly reduced after 2008 (the date of Implementation). Eastern Europeans (mainly Poles ) will instead fill the low skilled jobs such as construction and plumbing (areas where Britain has a labour shortage). This hardening of immigration policy is the trend across all Western European nations (especially Netherlands ) recently, following numerous terrorist attacks and previous high levels of immigration. RELIGION Main article: Religion In The United Kingdom The traditional Religion in the United Kingdom is Christianity . In England the Established Church is the Church Of England ( Anglican ) whilst in Scotland it is the Church Of Scotland (a Presbyterian Church ). In Wales there is no established church, with the Church In Wales being Disestablished in 1920 . Likewise, in Northern Ireland the Church Of Ireland was disestablished in 1871 . In Northern Ireland there is a Sectarian Divide between Catholic and Protestant communities. The table below shows the most recent census data regarding religious belief; .]] Although the Census 2001 also recorded 390,000 Jedi Knight s, making Jedi the fourth-largest "religion" in the UK, this does not confer them any official recognition. ''See also:'' Status Of Religious Freedom In The United Kingdom , Islam In The United Kingdom , Judaism In The United Kingdom LANGUAGES Main article: Languages In The United Kingdom The United Kingdom has no Official Language . The dominant language, spoken as a First Language by 95% of the population is English . Welsh is spoken by around 610,000 people. Scottish Gaelic is spoken by about 60,000 speakers, mostly in Scotland , Scots is spoken by around 1.5 million people in Scotland and 30,000 in Northern Ireland , where it is called Ulster Scots . EDUCATION Main article: Education In The United Kingdom Broadly speaking, there are two , Wales and Northern Ireland and another in Scotland . English, Welsh and Northern Irish students tend to sit a small number of more advanced Exam inations and Scottish students tend to sit a larger number of less advanced examinations. It should be noted that local English practice can vary from this general picture although across Scotland the system is well nigh universal. Children are generally given a free education between the age of 5 and 16 across the United Kingdom, though in different areas they may start earlier or finish later. In some areas students also have the opportunity to enter selective education ( Grammar School s) though this is not universal and has its critics. The UK also has one of the oldest Universities in the world at Oxford . Although education in the United Kingdom is universal for all, achievement in British Education still tends to be better for higher Social Class es. Literacy definition
Literacy - total population
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