England more crowded now than Holland

England has finally surpassed Holland as the most crowded major European country.  For each square kilometer England now has an average of 395 people.  The office of National Statistics has said they expect that in over the next two decades that number could grow as 464 people.  Large numbers of immigrants have helped the population continually increase.  A recent survey showed that Britain is the second most popular destination for immigrant with the number one destination being the United States. 

A campaign to establish immigration caps in Britain was begun last week.  The campaign is led by Frank Field and Nicholas Soames.  The two said "The Government have now been obliged to recognize that England is projected to catch up with Holland this year as the most crowded country in Europe. This is a milestone in the immigration debate as immigration accounts for 70 per cent of our population growth. The Government's points-based system places no limit on the number of people who are allowed to settle in the UK. If ever there was a case for balanced migration, it is now."

In response the UK Border Agency spokesperson said that "Our tough new points system plus our plans for newcomers to earn their citizenship will reduce overall numbers of economic migrants coming to Britain, and the numbers awarded permanent settlement."

In the European Union there is only one other country that has a greater population density than England now has.  The small island of Malta only has 400,000 people that make up its population but that equates to a population density of 1,274 people for every square kilometer.

www.statistics.gov.uk