Scotland's Population at its Highest Ever

Scotland’s population continues to rise and reached its highest ever total in 2015.

Statistics published today by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) show that the estimated population of Scotland was 5,373,000 in mid-2015.

The figures show a rise of 25,400 (0.5 per cent) people since mid-2014.

The population increased because in-migration which includes people from the rest of the UK exceeded out-migration by approximately 28,000 people between mid-2014 and mid-2015. This was offset by approximately 2,000 more people dying than were born. Other changes, such as in armed forces and prisoners, resulted in a loss of approximately 500 people.

Between mid-2014 and mid-2015, approximately 37,800 people came to Scotland from overseas and approximately 18,200 left Scotland to go overseas giving a net migration gain of 19,600.

Between mid-2014 and mid-2015, approximately 47,200 people came to Scotland from the rest of the UK, and approximately 38,800 left Scotland to go in the opposite direction, giving a net migration gain of approximately 8,400.

In the year to 30 June 2015 there were more deaths than births for the first time since the year to mid-2006.

The full publication Mid-2015 population estimates scotland and corrected population estimates for mid-2012, mid-2013 and mid-2014 is available on this website.

An infographic is available for this publication on this website.