West Yorkshire: a demographic case study

Aims

This working paper [10/4] is part of the Demographic and Migratory Flows Affecting European Regions and Cities [DEMIFER] project which aims to examine the historical and future impact of demographic change upon the 27 members of the European Union and this paper reports on the West Yorkshire Case study.

Methodology

Secondary analysis of official data bases relating to trends, fertility, mortality, internal migration and international migration.

Key issues

The paper summarises the historical picture of population change in West Yorkshire [United Kingdom] and its key components and the importance of migration in this process. It considers how demographic change is likely to impact on the profile of the population in terms of age structure, labour force, elderly population and ethnic composition. It considers different population projection scenarios and how they would impact on West Yorkshire.

Conclusions

The paper highlights the contrasting sub-areas of Leeds and Bradford, suggesting that as regards Leeds, the diversity in its service sector and less reliance on public sector employment will assist its economic recovery. In contrast, Bradford has suffered from a lack of investment and is experiencing out-migration through internal migration to adjacent areas, balanced by a net inflow due to international migration from the Asian community. Hence, in a competitive market economy West Yorkshire is likely to experience mixed benefits.