Population of the West Midlands 2026
The West Midlands is one of England’s nine official regions and a place with a vibrant, ever-changing environment. As we head into 2026, understanding the population trends in this region is essential for various reasons. If you are involved in business, policymaking, or infrastructure planning, understanding trends will greatly help your work.
It is important not to mistake the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), the smaller West Midlands County, and the wider West Midlands Region. The confusion arises because many people use the term “West Midlands” interchangeably.
Population of the West Midlands in 2026 projections
The current population projection for the West Midlands is 2,724,000 in 2026, for the metro area only. The broader region’s population is projected to be around 6.2 million.
These estimates show a growth rate of about 1.3% since 2025. The national trends in England have shown some ups and downs, but the West Midlands remains a young region, with one-third of its population under 25, which contributes to its current and long-term growth potential.
Major Cities and their contribution to the population
The West Midlands region consists of many major cities, which are also super diverse. Each town has its own unique charm and employment opportunities, which attract a large population. They support the region’s ever-expanding growth.
This is the distribution of the population in the West Midlands region based on 2021 census data.
| City | Population |
| Birmingham | 1144919 |
| Coventry | 345324 |
| Dudley | 323488 |
| Sandwell | 341832 |
| Solihull | 216240 |
| Walsall | 284124 |
| Wolverhampton | 263727 |
Why are these cities growing?
The growth of these cities is largely responsible for their diversity, youth, and migration. Birmingham, in the West Midlands region, is now a super-diverse city in the UK. These ethnic minority groups make up the 57.1% of the population. (WMCA)
The median age in the WMCA is also 36.6 years, which is around 3.8 years younger than the national average. Another reason can be that more people are migrating from London to the West Midlands than to any other combined authority in the UK.
Historical Growth and Patterns
The historical trajectory of the West Midlands was largely defined by the Industrial Revolution, which took root in Birmingham. However, the journey hasn’t always been one of upward growth.
The region experienced a population decline from 1972 to 2000. Its growth hit a significant low point due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Even after all the challenges, this region has shown remarkable resilience, evolving from its heavy reliance on industrial production to a more diverse, knowledge-based economy.
A Young Region: The Age Profile
The West Midlands is a relatively young region compared to the rest of the UK. According to the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), approximately one-third of the population in the West Midlands is under 25. (ONS mid-2024 estimates)
| Age group | Head Count | Percentage |
| Children (below 16) | 1.2 million | 19.3% |
| Working Class (16-64) | 3.8 million | 61.8% |
| Elderly (65 and above) | 1.2 million | 18.9% |
Ethnic Diversity
| Ethnic Groups (source: ONS 2021 census) | Population (numbers) | Percentage |
| All usual residents | 5,950,757 | 100.0% |
| White | 4,585,024 | 77.0% |
| Asian, Asian British or Asian Welsh | 794,264 | 13.3% |
| Black, Black British, Black Welsh, Caribbean, or African | 269,019 | 4.5% |
| Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups | 178,224 | 3.0% |
| Another ethnic group | 124,226 | 2.1% |
The West Midlands is currently one of the most diverse regions in England, second only to London. Dudley has the lowest percentage of people from ethnic minority groups, at 17.6%, while Birmingham has the highest, at 57.1%. In this region, we can see greater youth diversity, with 50.7% of people under 24 from ethnic minorities.
Natural Population Changes
As of 2025, the West Midlands has the highest birth rate in England, according to its Health Innovation department. The West Midlands increased from 1.56 in 2023 to 1.59 in 2024. Life expectancy is steadily rising by preventing preventable deaths.
Sexual Orientation and Identity
According to the 2021 census, 97.1% of the population is identified as straight or heterosexual, while 2.9% of them identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or another sexual minority. This is for the people who declared their sexuality, but 8.1% did not reveal their sexual orientation. (WMCA)
| West Midland Region | Number Count | Percentage (%) |
| All usual residents | 5,950,757 | 100.0 |
| Female | 3,023,193 | 50.8 |
| Male | 2,927,564 | 49.2 |
Disability percentage in this area:
The disability percentage is a crucial indicator of a region’s healthcare. According to the research done by the Sense organization of the UK, around 186,000 people in the West Midlands region are suffering from complex disabilities. Analysis has also categorized these individuals into age groups to improve healthcare operations. The health index of the West Midlands is 97.8.
| Age group | Number of people with complex disabilities |
| 0-17 years | 41,558 |
| 18-64 years | 74,606 |
| Over 65 years | 70,293 |
Economic Context
In 2021, the West Midlands region recorded an annual GVA of £146.1 billion and a per capita income of £24,530. Now, it relies on a more diverse, knowledge-based economy. This region has seen steady growth before the pandemic. The Industrial Revolution has played a major role in this growth.
Today, this area combines its historic strength with its tech innovation. We can see this change in its major cities, such as Wolverhampton, which was popular for wool and lock-making. Coventry has advanced from a traditional car manufacturing hub to a leader in transport technology and electric buses. And, Birmingham is developing a £4 billion “Knowledge Quarter” to boost its technology and creative industries.
To continue their growth, the region has funded 1.8 billion through an integrated settlement lasting until 2030. This investment gives their local leaders more direct control over the infrastructure and development projects, which will greatly help to secure the economic future of this region.
Conclusion:
After analysing data from the recent census and the 2026 estimates, the West Midlands stands out as a region with a diverse youth population and business opportunities driven by its growing economy. It is a high-density region with a total area of 13,004 km².
The West Midlands is a keystone in the United Kingdom’s population landscape. It has earned this place by leveraging its industrial heritage and building a foundation on it with modern knowledge. It is becoming a haven for the people who want to invest, study, or plan to migrate.
