Lewisham is projected to experience significant population growth and shifts in age demographics, according to a recent update presented at the Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on Monday 14 July 2025. The update, part of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), highlighted key trends that will shape the borough's health and wellbeing strategies in the coming years. The cover report JSNA update for July 2025 HWBB incorporated the Office for National Statistics' (ONS) first population projections since the 2021 Census, released in June 2025.

The Picture of Lewisham, a bi-annual overall population profile, was partially refreshed to incorporate these projections. The data suggests that Lewisham's population could reach 311,000 by 2030.

Illustration depicting building blocks of health and wellbeing, including factors like food, work, housing, transport, and education.
Illustration depicting building blocks of health and wellbeing, including factors like food, work, housing, transport, and education.

However, the report also noted a projected decrease in the number of school-aged children, indicating a shift in the borough's age structure. The JSNA update notes that population projections predict Lewisham's population to increase overall, but there is notable variation by age, of particular note being the projected decrease of school aged children.

Updated mortality data for the financial year 2024/25 showed that cancer remains the leading cause of death for Lewisham residents, mirroring the national trend. The report states that mortality data has been updated for the financial year 2024/25, with cancer remaining the most common cause of death for Lewisham residents, which matches the national picture.