London’s population is now at the highest in its history, with Hillingdon recording the biggest growth of any borough in the capital.

Figures released this week show 8.615 million people are living in the city, beating the previous figure set at the eve of the Second World War in 1939.

It also showed Hillingdon to have the biggest population growth in terms of real numbers and percentage since 1939, with it increasing by 82% from 159,000 to 289,000.

That leap of 130,000 is the highest in London, followed by Havering with 110,000.

The Greater London Authority figures also show Hillingdon is expected to be home to 316,000 people by 2039.

However, it is some way off the most populous borough in the capital, with both Barnet and Croydon already home to nearly 400,000 people.

Speaking about the figures, Mayor of London Boris Johnson said he expected the capital’s population to hit 11 million by 2050.

Mr Johnson, who hopes to become Uxbridge and South Ruislip MP at this year’s general election, described London as the “biggest best city” in the world.

He said: “With more green space than any other European city, a thriving economy, a low crime rate and a roaring cultural scene, it is no surprise that London is the place to be.”

In other parts of west and north-west London, Brent, Harrow, Ealing and Hounslow all showed population increases between 1939 and 2015.

But there were falls in Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, and Hammersmith & Fulham.

In numbers

Westminster

1939: 347,000; 2015: 231,000; 2039: 268,000

1939-2015 growth: -34%

Brent

1939: 310,000; 2015: 326,000; 2039 382,000

1939-2015 growth: 5%

Harrow

1939: 190,000; 2015: 248,000; 2039: 282,000

1939-2015 growth: 30%

Ealing

1939: 285,000; 2015: 349,000; 2039: 406,000

1939-2015 growth: 23%

Hounslow

1939: 196,000; 2015: 264,000; 2039: 307,000

1939-2015 growth: 34%

Kensington & Chelsea

1939: 228,000; 2015: 162,000; 2039: 183,000

1939-2015 growth: -29%

Hammersmith & Fulham

1939: 259,000; 2015: 190,000; 2039: 231,000

1939-2015 growth: -27%

Hillingdon

1939: 159,000; 2015: 289,000; 2039: 316,000

1939-2015 growth: 82%