Cardiff, Wales’ capital city, offers top-tier shopping, stunning museums and exciting entertainment. All over Wales can be found beautiful landscapes that harken back to Celtic history – Cardiff being no different.
Traveling Wales by car is the easiest and fastest way, while trains also provide great views. An annual railcard offers discounts on long-distance journeys.
Population
Wales’ population stands at an estimated 3,164,000 as of mid-2023, although its rate of increase has slowed since 2001; nevertheless, Wales still boasts higher population numbers than either England or Scotland.
Wales boasts a population density of 395 inhabitants per square kilometer, or roughly equivalent to 2.8 people per football pitch-sized area of land. This rate is slightly lower than in other UK regions but higher than England.
There are various factors that contribute to population changes in Wales, such as births and deaths as well as net migration; births and deaths constitute natural change while net migration refers to differences between international migration and domestic migration; this latter category accounts for immigration which has significantly driven Wales population growth over the past decade.
In 2021, over one fifth of Wales’s population aged 65 or older – up from 18.4% 10 years earlier – making Wales the oldest-oldest region in the UK. Powys and Conwy had the highest proportions of over-65s while over-90s also rose rapidly, reaching almost one percent of total Wales population.
An additional factor contributing to Wales’ population boom has been an overall decrease in young people moving between local authorities, particularly between 2011 and 2021. This decline has been offset by an increase in internal migration from other parts of the UK.
Below is an illustration of Wales population by gender, with 15-19 year-olds being the largest age group for both genders. Wales currently has a sex ratio of 60.9 men per 100 women.
The Office for National Statistics compiles estimates for Wales population by using mid-year population and internal migration estimates. Their quality and methodology information reports offer details about their creation, use, strengths and limitations – these reports can be found on their website.
Economy
Economy is an issue that resonates deeply with many voters. How we generate, earn and spend our income affects not only Wales’ collective fortunes but also lives of individuals, communities and businesses across Wales and beyond.
The Welsh economy plays an essential role in our wellbeing, impacting directly upon standard of living and our ability to attract and retain talented workers. A more prosperous economy allows us to invest in infrastructure, education and create more jobs – contributing to Wales’ wellbeing overall.
Wales’ economic prospects are intrinsically tied to those of the UK as a whole, due to our shared open economy and, to a lesser extent, currency with England. While this provides many advantages, this also presents challenges, including potential adverse repercussions from times of economic stress in England; competition among regions and countries of the UK for investment opportunities; as well as increased social inequality caused by this shared currency system.
Even with these challenges, Wales offers reason for optimism when it comes to its economy. According to our Economic Competitiveness Index (ECI), Wales ranks amongst the most competitive locations for doing business and has proven itself second most productive for exports. Furthermore, Wales boasts an excellent track record in innovation with companies such as Bangor Mussels bringing premium shellfish exports worldwide and Marine Power Systems developing technology which converts waves into renewable energy sources.
However, there remain significant disparities in economic performance between Wales and UK economies, and an increasingly widening gap between those parts of Wales that rely more heavily on public sector spending versus those with more private sector-led economies. This disparity reflects Westminster’s continued control of key levers like fiscal policy, monetary policy, employment legislation and trade policy as the source of many of their decisions governing Wales’s economy.
Gross domestic product (GDP), is widely considered to be the key indicator of an economy’s health. Wales was in 2021 one of only two UK regions where per-capita GDP lagged behind that average by 25% – even more alarming when we look at metrics which matter to governments such as tax revenues.
Environment
Wales has long been beloved due to its natural beauty and diverse biodiversity, attracting people from across the world who appreciate its rich environment laws. Yet even so, nature remains threatened – one in 14 species are disappearing from our landscape, with potentially dramatic consequences for all of us.
As such, it’s imperative that we invest more and better wildlife conservation. A new generation of conservationists must help restore wildlife populations while simultaneously combatting climate change; plus we must address major environmental concerns like plastic pollution and water quality.
The Well-Being of Future Generations Act and Environment Act provide further legislation for Wales to manage its natural resources more proactively, sustainably and comprehensively. The Nature Recovery Action Plan (NRAP) supports this legislation; the Nature Recovery Action Plan Implementation Group serves as its main stakeholder group responsible for overseeing its delivery; members include representatives of Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales and JNCC as well as non-government environmental organisations and farmers within Wales.
A key piece of legislation is the National Resource Acquisition Programme’s Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Duty, which mandates public authorities to’seek to maintain and enhance biodiversity as much as is consistent with their proper exercise of functions, in order to promote ecosystem resilience’. This new duty replaces one contained within Section 42 of NERC Act 2006
Rebuilding a sustainable economy will require us to adjust how we consume and produce goods and services. Energy consumption needs to decrease while resources should be utilized more efficiently and waste reduced; additionally, all businesses should recognize how their actions can have positive effects on the environment.
Healthy environments are essential to thriving communities. Therefore, we must work to develop a circular economy, in which products and materials are utilized as long as possible before being reused, repaired, or recycled – protecting our planet while creating jobs within the green economy.
Culture
Culture of any nation refers to an accumulation of traditions, institutions and beliefs shared among a certain group, often expressed through language, religion, art and music forms as well as cuisine or social behavior. Welsh culture boasts a vibrant tapestry of traditions including its beautiful language, delicious cuisine and stirring musical sounds; furthermore it was home for industrial heritage as well as being responsible for founding the National Health Service.
Welsh culture encompasses an intense sense of history and identity derived from their roots as Celts and Nordic tribes that once occupied their region. Welsh pride can be seen reflected in their flag, which depicts three ostrich plumes within a circle with “Ich Dien” written beneath (I Serve).
In the 19th century Wales experienced rapid industrialization and growth due to coal and steel industries. At this time there was also nationalist sentiment and interest in self-determination, leading to new talent emerging across arts, sports and cultural activities; many Welsh singers, actors and athletes became internationally acclaimed performers and athletes. Wales was also at the heart of workers rights movements of its time, and today still hosts an active socialist community.
Wales’ modern economy has its foundations in agriculture and fishing industries, with fishing and tourism also contributing significantly. Over recent years, a greater number of multinational companies are opening offices here providing jobs and investment opportunities; additionally, Welsh is an integral part of cultural landscape that is protected through legislation.
The Welsh Government is responsible for overseeing a range of policies and services designed to promote culture. It oversees aspects such as Welsh language education, creative industries, historic environment preservation, communications broadcasting and international relations. Working closely with the Senedd, or Welsh Assembly, to implement its policy agenda effectively in practice; its Committee for Culture, Welsh Language & External Affairs in this case acts as a forum to discuss cultural matters while holding Welsh Government to account; it comprises six Members representing different political groups within Senedd.