Census figures reveal population changes in Gwynedd and Anglesey

Population changes were revealed  after new Census figures were published earlier this week.

The figures showed that the island’s population dropped by 1.2% in 2011 to 68,900 in 2021.

READ MORE: Anglesey Council reports £4.8m ‘underspend’ due to pandemic grants

It saw an increase of 16.3% in people aged 65 years and over, a decrease of 7.9% in people aged 15 to 64 years, and just a very slight increase of 0.1% in children aged under 15 years.

Gwynedd saw its population size decreased by 3.7%, from around 121,900 in 2011 to 117,400 in 2021.

Gwynedd had an increase of 8.6% in people aged 65 years and over, a decrease of 6.8% in people aged 15 to 64 years, and a decrease of 8.2% in children aged under 15 year

At the same time, the total population of Wales grew by 1.4%, increasing by 44,000 to 3,107,500.

READ MORE: Anglesey schools spared having to fund their own teachers’ pay rises

There is now one person for every football pitch-sized piece of land in Wales, with about 150 residents per square kilometre in the country in 2021, up from 148 residents per square kilometre in 2011

As of 2021, the Isle of Anglesey is the sixth least densely populated of Wales’ 22 local authority areas, with an area equivalent to around one football pitch per resident.

Gwynedd is now the third least densely populated  with an area equivalent to around three football pitches per resident.

In 2021, Gwynedd ranked 14th for total population out of 22 local authority areas in Wales, maintaining the same position it held a decade ago, whilst  Anglesey ranked 20th, moving up one place in a decade.

Conwy also saw a population decrease of 3.7% and 0.4%, respectively, whilst Denbighshire and Flintshire saw increases of around 2.2% and 1.6%, respectively.

Commenting on his area’s figures, Isle of Anglesey County Council’s chief executive Dylan Williams said they must now be “carefully examined.”

Council leader Councillor Llinos Medi said the stats “confirmed what they had suspected” for some time.

The council anticipates an ageing population will impact its service and finances, particularly in health and social care, and its future plans.

Isle of Anglesey County Council chief executive Dylan Williams

Chief executive Dylan Williams said “These new Census figures confirm the island’s age profile has changed.

“Ynys Môn has an ageing population, this will undoubtedly have an impact on our services for years to come, especially in health and social care.”

“A change in the number and age profile of Anglesey’s population, compared to the rest of Wales, may impact on the financial resources the Council receives directly from Welsh Government to fund services.”

“All these factors must be taken into consideration as we now work to develop our new Council Plan 2022-27; which sets out the Council’s vision and priorities for the next five years.”

The Council Plan played a “vital role” in determining the council’s aims and objectives for its future priorities, he said.

Anglesey\'s ageing population figures show \"what we suspected\' say Anglesey County Council Leader Councillor Llinos Medi

Council leader Llinos Medi said:  “The new Census figures have confirmed what we has suspected for some time – there are now more older people and fewer young people on Ynys Môn.”

“Forward planning in terms of future service delivery is more important than ever; as is the need to provide more quality jobs prospect to ensure our young people, communities and Welsh language can flourish.”

The Authority’s scrutiny committees  is to receive a report highlighting the possible impacts on its services and future finances.