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The United Kingdom consists of Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and Northern Ireland and occupies an area of approximately 244,000 km 2 . It has a population of 64.1 million (2013) [Office for National Statistics (ONS), 2014a] which is predicted to grow to over 73 million by 2037 and 86 million by 2087 [ONS, 2014b]. Onshore and offshore mineral production contributed £34 billion, or two per cent, to UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2012. Table 1 summarises 2013 population and economic statistics for countries of the UK. Table 1 Population and GDP statistics for countries of the UK Country Population 2013 (million) GVA 2013 (£ per capita) United Kingdom -of which 64